By Sue Regner
I love sea shells. All shells, I don’t care what shape,color or kind. Much to my husbands dismay, I’m one of those crazy tourists that stops at every shell store. The shells just call my name and some force I can’t argue with will not let me walk past without entering. And I will try my hardest to convince Dale I really need one. That never works.
If I am ever lucky enough to vacation by water, I will get up at 6 am just to walk the shore and have an amazing treasure hunt for shells. I even dream of them. Just for the record, the lakes in North Dakota don’t offer many shells. I usually end up with rocks.
There is something magical about the beauty of a shell. To think it was once a living creature; a piece of art that only gets more beautiful after its inhabitants have left. I think that’s one of the reasons I am so excited about this years Family Holy Land Adventure- The Sea of Galilee.
To think it was once a living creature; a piece of art that only gets more beautiful after its inhabitants have left.
It not only fills my hearts calling by giving families the opportunity to come together for fun and fellowship, but I’m able to use those precious shells to decorate and add to the excitement of experiencing Galilee. I may never walk along the shores where Jesus walked, but sometimes pretending can be just as rewarding.
I wonder how many times Jesus picked up a shell just to marvel at the beauty of His father’s creation. I think about the disciples that drew the Christian fish symbol in the sand to identify themselves as a follower of our Lord. Don’t you wish you could experience that walk with Jesus and maybe eat some of that grilled fish He cooked?
While we won’t be offering grilled fish this year we will be offering the opportunity to spend precious time with your family and friends at Galilee. I know my mom, who is 95, is eager to share in the excitement with her grandkids and great grandkids at Galilee.
Anticipation fills my days working with Janette once again on this adventure. I am truly blessed to be a part of a faith family that encourages faith formation in the home.
I am truly blessed to be a part of a faith family that encourages faith formation in the home.
Together we will discover some things Jesus may have done, like actually hand tying a fishing net in the fisherman’s hut. You will be placed 
with your family in one of the 12 tribes as you experience the same traditions Jesus learned from his parents. Delight in reciting the Shema, and meeting the rabbi at the synagogue. Have fun making a coaster with colorful tiles in the mosaic shop or stop by the dye shop and create a pouch that can be filled with sweet fragrance that you ground yourself at the spice shop.
I’m anxious to see my grandkids sift through the sand and gather the perfect shell to be used in the jewelry shop to create a necklace that will be filled with memories. Try stamping your initials on a leather fish when you visit the leather shop. Form clay at the pottery shop, take home a pet seagull from the aviary shop, make a menorah in the carpentry shop, or stop by the farmers market where you can try a variety of dried fruit and many other tasty treats Jesus might have eaten.
At the sea side playground, you will play games Jesus probably played as a child. Each evening in the marketplace will be a drama where biblical characters come to life to portray a Bible story and we will end with singing and music, and yes, there may be dancing!
Each evening in the marketplace will be a drama where biblical characters come to life to portray a Bible story and we will end with singing and music, and yes, there may be dancing!
Spending time with our kids, no matter the age, is one of the greatest tools in building a faith together. You may think this Holy Land Adventure isn’t for you because you don’t have small children but the best thing about this VBS is that it is for everyone, no matter the age.
Spending time with our kids, no matter the age, is one of the greatest tools in building a faith together.
There are many ways to become involved, such as a shopkeeper, tribe leader or just by coming and joining a tribe. Its a fun way to meet 
new friends and get connected. Maybe you love birds and want to be a shopkeeper in the aviary shop, or you have a bird you could bring or let us borrow an old cage that isn’t being used. You may have a flair for decorating and would love to add your touch to make the shops look authentic. Any old fish nets hanging around? I would love to hear from you.
The shells may not come from the actual shores of Galilee, but the memories they hold will last forever. Come by yourself, with a friend, a neighbor, or your family. Come as a tribe member, a tribe leader, or a shopkeeper. Come to set up or decorate or come to clean up. Whatever capacity, you will be blessed, and we will be blessed to have you. Register your family and o volunteer here.
I hope to see you in Galilee and together we will walk on the shores of Galilee with Jesus.
