I am so incredibly honored to share these gorgeous handmade olive wood Easter eggs with you today! 

I'm just giddy about the fact that the eggs are made from locally sourced olive trees that grow in the hills of Gilead – less than 50 miles from the Mount of Olives...where the Easter story begins!

Our dear friends at Bought Beautifully sent each of our children one to paint, along with the kindest note about the individuals who created them.

Every egg is handcrafted by individuals who are deaf, disabled, and disadvantaged in the Holy Land.

No longer isolated and untrained, these same individuals have moved into respected and strategic roles among their relatives and tribes, and some are now the sole supporter of their entire family (which doesn't happen often because of their disabilities).

Elsabet and I headed to the store for craft paint and came back with a whole slew of springtime colors (of her choosing. She was very opinionated, it was so cute. haha)

It was so fun seeing each of the kids create whatever they saw in their heads.

. Anton did Easter Camouflage (can you tell he wants to go to one of the military academies?)

. Abreham went with basic yellow (he was heading out to Snow Camp with the Ethiopian youth group so he'll finish his later)

. Laith made a chick coming out of its shell (he was like me and didn't want to paint over the gorgeous wood!)

. Imani made the prettiest striped/dot design (my little artist)

. Ezekiel and Elsabet worked together on a graphic design wrote "He is Risen" on each side (love)

. And you guys, I totally wanted in on the action so since Ezekiel and Elsabet shared one, I got to do flowers on one of my own (big grin)

I asked the kids where we should put our gorgeous creations. They decided here, with the flowers "so everyone can see them".

I love that our kids not only have a fun memory-making diy to celebrate Easter, but that we were able to have conversations about the Mount of Olives and folks in the Holy Land with special needs.

We talked about the similarities and differences our two countries may have in regards to opportunities for men and women who are deaf or physically challenged.

And we talked about the importance of everyone having a skill and ability to care for themselves and their families.

You might say we had a bit of fun doing it.

Purchase your own Olive Wood Easter Eggs here!! Start your own tradition and conversations!!

Take Joy,

Teresa