About Italy…
Looking back at blog posts, I am realizing I never wrote a post about my trip to Italy. I told my email followers about it, I posted some on social media and definitely talked with The Creative Faith Club members about it. But I never made a record of sharing it here. What a mistake!!!
Here I go, a year and a half later, to tell the beautiful story of my FREE trip to Italy.
The story actually starts in 2021. I was finally getting my feet under me after a blindsiding divorce took ALL the wind out of my sails. I was starting to come alive again, hope again, feel human again. And while I was scrolling Instagram, the Art & Faith Creative Retreat account came across my feed.
I saw beautiful scenery, brave women, art classes, insanely yummy food and all of it centered around God. It felt like what my tired soul needed. I called my mom and asked her if I should sign up for a retreat that I totally couldn’t afford, but felt like I should go on, and she said, “Do it.” So I signed up.
It felt so good to choose something for me, go out on a limb and be brave enough to fly across the world alone to experience something new. I anxiously awaited the trip, stashed away money and paid for it, patiently hoped and dreamed about the experience waiting on foreign soil.
Then, FIVE days before I was set to leave, I tested positive for Covid. This was in 2021, when things were just opening up and countries were testing you coming and going. I couldn’t risk getting stuck in a foreign country while I had three kids at home, even if I was well by the time I was supposed to leave. It was too risky.
So I gifted my trip to one of my followers. I put the word out there and opened it up for first come, first serve — free trip minus the airline ticket to a week-long retreat in Italy.
A fabulous lady named Jo stepped up and went on that trip with days’ notice. She had an amazing time, and I had SO MUCH peace about giving my spot to her. I can’t even explain it. It was as if it was meant to be. Plus, she sent me some really fun thank-you souvenirs, so I was definitely a winner there!
The fun part is, in the process I became friends with Laura, the incredible woman who runs the retreat, and we have ended up collaborating together over the years. She has taught on my site a few times, and we have become great friends. I told her I would join her in Italy one day when the timing was right.
And guess what — God decided on the time!
Fast forward to June 2025 and I get a text from Laura: “I’m paying it forward. I just had a lady cancel and she wants to gift her trip to someone, and so you are first on the list!”
That was on a Saturday morning. I packed my bags and went to Italy on Thursday. Just like my friend Jo did three years prior. Isn’t God sweet in His timing and gifting! It came back around, and it genuinely never even crossed my mind that it would.
Now fast forward to 2026 and GUESS WHAT!??? I am going BACK TO ITALY, but this time to TEACH.
I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited if I tried. I’ll be teaching alongside Laura about The Art of Sharing Your Story, and I will specifically be teaching on seeing and recording God in the details of your day, whether that’s in Italy or within the walls of your home. We will explore mixed media journaling and learn new techniques alongside the crystal blue waters of Lake Como in Bellagio, Italy.
AND YOU CAN JOIN ME! Oh please do — you are in for such an amazing treat. I know, I’ve been here before!
The people, the scenery, the food, the art, the spiritual movement, the shopping, the sights…I could go on and on, but you are going to have to join me to really appreciate the beauty of it all.
We will be gathering in Bellagio June 2027 and the trip would be better with you in it! The spots are limited, but the adventure is not. You can find all the details here! Ciao
