Creative Retreat & Scholarship Updates…
Hi everyone!
It’s been a while since I’ve updated everyone on things, so I thought I’d quickly share a few new & exciting things going on around here! (Don’t miss a SURPRISE at the end of this!)
First off, we had a WONDERFUL retreat last month in Italy! It was a great week with our theme from Matthew 5 and I think the ladies were encouraged by the devotional and by the classes Elaine and I taught. It was SO fun to learn from Elaine and take our sketchbooks with us as we explored Lake Como. Along with the devotional and Travel Journaling, I shared more about “Art & Faith Journaling” (which I started at the beginning of this year) and it was a joy to tell the women about ways I’ve been connecting my creativity to our Creator. There’s MUCH more about this coming soon!
Scholarship Fund Update:
The one thing that was a bit sad was that I wasn’t able to host my Scholarship Fund Event IN Bellagio. I reached out to all the artists back in May when I found the news out, so they knew about this change, but I didn’t have time to share it on here. Long story short… I was told that I couldn’t sell anything in the event room, nor take any donations in the event room in May. My dear friends who helped me organize it back in April were just as surprised as I was, but the town counsel had some rule about it that we didn’t know, so I had to cancel it.
But… I plan to host a “virtual event” so we can still get the Scholarship Fund up and running for next year! Please check back for details on that soon, we could really use your support for this God sized dream! I’m in the process of getting all the art photographed so we can have an online event and all of YOU can be a part of it! It will most likely be in late October since I’m leaving again soon for the Paris & Lake Como fall retreats, but that’s just in time for Christmas presents and what better way to have some art for your home or a loved one AND support someone being able to join us next year for FREE! And… In the end, God’s timing is always perfect. With Rebecca’s health issues during the pregnancy it was probably a blessing in disguise that it didn’t happen in Bellagio anyways. Baby Henry is doing great btw, and growing by leaps and bounds! He’s two months old tomorrow, smiling all the time…and melting our hearts!
Now for our 2026 Creative Retreats!
First off, there’s been a change in the Bellagio Creative Retreat for next June! After being in a very hot and crowded Milan at the end of our time in Italy, I realized that staying in Milan for three days was going to be too hard logistically. Milan is a beautiful city, but not near as beautiful and serene as Lake Como. We will still enjoy the city and go to the Antique Market but in my opinion it’s a much better plan for us to do those things as a day trip from Bellagio. Staying in Bellagio the entire time will make having a “home base” much nicer. That way we don’t have to move hotels and we’ll have more time to enjoy Lake Como.
I’m also praying about what next year looks like for this retreat. As I prepare for the retreat this fall in Bellagio, I’m really enjoying the more relaxed pace I’ve created for this special fall retreat and it’s giving me some fresh new ideas for next year! I’m already planning to take you to new towns we’ve never been to on our retreat, do some fun new activities and share new restaurants with you as well!
So, if you’ve been praying about joining us, I’d encourage you to check out all the details HERE.
And if you’ve come with us before, this may be the year you want to come back! It will look very different than the retreat you’ve been to, and it will give you a chance to see new things, go to new places and experience Lake Como in a fresh way!
OurParis & Brugge Retreat next Spring is almost sold out!
We only have a couple spots left for our Paris & Brugge retreat, and I know a lot of you ladies are thinking about this one! I’m headed to Paris in a few weeks, but I’m already planning all the fun we’re going to have next Spring! This retreat is one that I’ve organized twice before, where we head to Paris right after Easter next year and then take a private bus transfer to Brugge, Belgium for a few days and then head back to Paris. We’ll enjoy a 10 day retreat in these two cities and have a wonderful time seeing all the cherry blossoms and tulips in this part of Europe! I want us to explore the world of Impressionism (which is what this September’s retreat is focusing on) and we’ll bring our sketchbooks with us as we enjoy moments in cafe’s with our art supplies, explore museums that highlight this era of art, AND see Monet’s gardens full of beauty in the Springtime!
You can find all the details of this retreat right HERE. But get signed up soon, before it sells out!
Two U.S. Art & Faith Creative Retreats!
We’ve been wanting to host more retreats in the U.S. since I know a lot of you have expressed interest in that. This year we had to cancel the Jackson Hole, Wyoming retreat because Rebecca’s due date fell around the time of the retreat… and baby Henry decided to come 5 weeks early… who knew that was going to happen? hahaha
So… We’re going back to Wyoming!
And, we’re adding a “side-trip" for those who’d like to go to Bozeman, Montana with us as well! Some of you may know that this part of our country is where my family is from, and where I spent my summers growing up. It’s where my love for mountains and lakes formed and it’s why Lake Como, Italy is my favorite part of Italy… mountains and lakes! It’s where I feel the evidence of our God is right before our eyes, and it’s where I go to find peace and rest. So I hope you’ll join us in the “wild west” next summer!
I don’t have all the details worked out yet, but my goal is to have it ready for Registration by Friday, August 15th. If you’d like all the details sent out via email, respond to this blog post and I’ll send it straight to you when I get it all worked out! I hope you’ll be praying about joining us before the sign ups go live.
Lastly, we’re going back to Woodstock, Vermont!!
This is the retreat I host every other year, so next year we’re headed back to Vermont for our Fall Foliage Creative Retreat! I’m excited to share more details about this one soon,because we’re adding a side-trip to this one as well!! So check back for this one as well. I don’t know if I’ll have all the details up before I head to Paris at the end of the month, but I’ll post an update on IG or here when I get a chance.
Thank you again for all your support over the years for our retreats. My daughters and I really appreciate all your love and kind words about our retreats. I have to say, it is an absolute JOY to bring these retreats together, meet you in these beautiful places, spend time with you, all while connecting in our faith and drawing closer to the Lord during these retreats!
And because of that, I have a VERY special surprise for you!
FOR ONE WEEK, I’m offering a $300 discount to anyone who signs up for our Lake Como OR our Paris retreat next year! You’ll need to email me and tell me the code: HENRY, to let me know you want to take advantage of this discount! It will only apply to those who sign up between NOW and Next Tuesday, August 12, 2025.*
I can’t wait to see who the Lord brings to our retreats next year, and who we get to share these special moments with!
Hugs to all,
Laura
*NOTE: You will need to register for one of the retreats first, and then discount will be deducted from the balance you owe after your deposit is made.