Let’s Catch up… Part Two
Happy November ladies!
Can you believe we’re down to the last two months of this year? I’m sharing my thoughts on how we can slow down in the middle of all the Holiday rush on Monday, so come back here for some “Monday Morning Encouragement.”
But for now, let’s catch up on the Italy retreat1 I shared about the France retreat in Part 1 HERE, so here’s a wrap-up on our Italy retreat…
Let’s Catch Up - Part Two
As most of you know, after the France retreat my husband came and we spent two weeks celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary all around France, and it was wonderful! We also headed to the English countryside for a wedding of our friend’s son, who married a lovely English girl. We were so honored to be invited and enjoyed being a part of such a beautiful, God honoring wedding in England! The bride and groom are very private people, so I’ll share a few photos from the wedding, but don’t want to share too much.
Here’s photos from the wedding & our 36th wedding anniversary trip:
Now onto our Art & Faith Creative Retreat on Lake Como
This was a very different retreat. I’ve shared about my heart to have a retreat by “still waters” and have a more restful, peaceful type of retreat…And it was just that. Thank you Jesus for bringing this all together, for bringing the women who needed to be there and for the space to be still and know that You are our God!
It was such a sweet time with these seven ladies.
What I’ve said before and will say again: We ALL bring our hearts, our burdens, and our joys with us… wherever we go. My heart’s desire it that you’ll feel welcome to come to our retreats knowing that that is OK, and that you’ll feel welcome to share as much or as little as you want. But also know that the Lord knows all those burdens that you’re carrying and my prayer is that you’ll find rest for them at our retreats. That you’ll find Jesus at our retreats. And, that you’ll find a place to sit and ponder the goodness of our God.
If you haven’t been to one of our retreats yet, here’s my heart for YOU when you join us:
1.Your faith is deepened. That through our time in God’s Word, morning devotions and our art & faith journaling, your faith will be refreshed and deepened.
2. You’ll be inspired. Inspired by the stunning beauty of where we are, by the art and beauty all around us, and by connecting your creativity to our Creator through the art and journaling we’ll do together.
3.You’ll build new friendships. Our retreats are so much more than just travel. You’ll share unique moments of exploring together, creating together and sharing your faith with other like-minded women. I see it every time, how the Lord brings each women there for a purpose, and a lot of times it’s to meet new friends that you’ll go on to have life-long friendships with.
4.You’ll find rest. I’ve tried from the very beginning to balance each day with creative time, faith time, exploring where we are together… and free time. My heart is still for doing “all the things” but I’ve seen how restorative it is so have slower mornings, more time for being in God’s Word, creative time that enjoys a peaceful pace. I want you to come with us and have time to breathe. That’s what I’m purposefully doing going forward for 2026 as well.
There’s SO much I want for you to enjoy at our retreats. And, when I say “our” I am speaking of my three daughters, who help me in every way they can. Sometimes they come with me, sometimes they can’t. But they are a HUGE part of these retreats and I am beyond blessed that all THREE of our daughters have a heart for YOU and to help me with our retreats!
Ok, getting back to our Bellagio, Italy retreat…
This retreat was in such a beautiful place for all of that. I’ve wanted to stay in my favorite little cove of Bellagio for many, many years. This year that little prayer was answered. (Watch my IG for another amazing “God thing” in Monet’s Gardens) Since you know by now the theme of the retreat, just look at the light beaming into my bedroom in the morning… this happened almost EVERY day! It was such incredible weather for most of the retreat, and it was stunning how many times the Lord showed us His Light from morning till night. The apartments we stayed in are waterfront. Another blessing was opening the windows each day to look at, and hear, the gentle lapping of the water upon the shores of Lake Como. Part of the stillness of being in this place was truly being by “still water.” I can’t explain it any other way than David’s Psalm in chapter 23, so I wanted to share it with you here.
Will you take a moment to read it with me…
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”
It is said that this Psalm was written in David’s later life, as a King, he was reflecting on his experiences as a shepherd. The theme of guidance, peace and comfort have soothed the souls of millions of people since, and it’s a gentle reminder for us today as well. Read what this commentary says on Psalm 23:
“It’s remarkable that the LORD would call Himself our shepherd. “In Israel, as in other ancient societies, a shepherd’s work was considered the lowest of all works. If a family needed a shepherd, it was always the youngest son, like David, who got this unpleasant assignment...Jehovah has chosen to be our shepherd, David says. The great God of the universe has stooped to take just such care of you and me.” (Boice)
Isn’t that so INCREDIBLE to contemplate?
Friends, these two retreats have taught me, yet again, that God is in each step of our lives. When we believe in Him, put our faith in Him… we also get the goodness and mercy of dwelling in the house of the Lord FOREVER. We’re scooped up into the loving arms of our Savior, the Good Shepard, and He is wanting us to be sheparded by His peace, live in His calmness and trust His GOODNESS.
The last thing I’ll share about my “take-aways” from both retreats is this:
Psalm 139 came to mind as I was on my last day in Europe. (I wept a LOT on this retreat, but this was a “sobbing” day for me) For some reason I have a very emotional time after each retreat. It’s why I need a couple days at the end, before I go home, to just sit in what God has done and pray for the ladies going home. It just overwhelms me that the Lord has entrusted me to point women back to Him in this way (weeping right now).
But this time, it was TWO retreats,THIRTEEN ladies, SIX weeks in Europe and the end of the theme for this year’s retreats. It was a lot to process and my heart was overwhelmed.
So let’s look at a snippet from Psalm 139 since that is what came to my mind on the last day. Do yourself a favor and go read the whole chapter.
(I like the CSB Bible translation of it below)
“Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.
You observe my travels and my rest;
you are aware of all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
you know all about it, Lord.
You have encircled me;
you have placed your hand on me.
This wondrous knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.”
Ladies, can you see why I cried yet again? The Lord is en every step we take, every place we travel and in every moment we rest! He is not only in the moment’s we “feel,” He is with us in every moment we have breath. That realization should move us all to have a continual AWE of GOD! It’s so important to remind our hearts each day of what an amazing God we serve.
And that’s why I want us to focus on this for our theme next year at each retreat. It all came together as I was writing in my art journal on that last day in Bellagio. I’ll share the last page below, because I want you to see how important it is to spend time in God’s Word, write down your heart, and then look back at what God is doing in your lives, so that, you can share the Good News with those around you! He is so faithful friends. I can’t wait to share how Art & Faith can come together in such a beautiful way to shine His Light in this dark world. It was so evident how the Lord was in our theme for this year, and He will be in each step of this theme for next year too.
If that’s something you’d like to be a part of next year, I’d love for you to pray about joining me at one of our retreats. You can find the retreats for next year HERE.
Have a GREAT weekend everyone!
Hugs to all,
Laura