Treasured gifts

Ryan's parents just returned from a 2-week tour of Egypt, Israel and Jordan.  What an incredible experience!  They have hours worth of stories to tell about the days they spent touring the land, and they purchased gifts for each member of our family.  After a recent visit to Utah, Ryan brought the gifts back and presented them to us with descriptions of the items.  Ryan received this carafe made of olive wood which holds olive oil that was pressed from actual olive trees in the Jerusalem area.  His Father then consecrated the oil in the Garden of Gethsemane.  

Logan wants a drum set of his very own, so his grandparents bought him this miniature version until he can grow up and join a rock band.

Lindsey received this belly-dancer hat so she can look official while shaking her hips!

Brevan got an awesome shirt from BYU Jerusalem that also says the word Jerusalem in Arabic and Hebrew. He enjoys learning about other languages, just like his Grandpa Ellefsen.

This is a Hebrew coin that I was given.  It is believed to be what Jesus referred to as a mite in the story of the widows mite.  The coin comes with a letter of authenticity that dates it around 100 B.C.

Brynlie got this beautiful box for all her girly items.

All the kids received colorful wallets from Egypt.

Each of the kids also received a bookmark made out of papyrus.

Besides the widows mite, my in-laws gave me this beautiful necklace (the red and green one).

The version of the widows mite is found in Mark, chapter 12.  I sure have an amazing visual aid for anytime I teach about tithing in the future!

Thank you, Roy and Bonnie, for putting so much thought into the wonderful gifts you gave us.  We can't wait to see all the pictures and hear the stories of your travels!