Good morning ladies,

I’ve been praying for the words to write this post, because this is something the Lord has been putting on my heart for a very long time… yet I’m not sure I have all the words to share what this retreat is about. So grab your cup of coffee or tea and stay a while, as I try to explain…

Beholding Him Together

As most of you know, the heart behind my retreats comes from Hebrews 10. Paul is exhorting the people (and us) to: “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Paul’s also encouraging them (and us) to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” and tells us to “not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

That in a nutshell has been my desire for the retreats I’ve been hosting for many years now. I hope I’ve done a decent job of that over the years, but I know I don’t get it perfect each time. It’s been my prayer to trust God with the details more and more, and have faith that He’ll continue to work in me and guide me in this calling He’s placed on my life. And He is SO faithful to meet us right where we are! But He also calls us to grow…

Trusting God with Our Next Steps

It’s in that place of trusting Him more, letting go of our own will and desires, and seeking His will first that we all grapple with fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Friends, I can honestly say there is so much HOPE in the middle of those scary steps! When we lean into Him, when we’re surrounded by other women of strong faith, and when we take the time to step away from life and create space to pray and seek the Lord… We find the courage to surrender those worries and enter into a new season of trust in God for those next steps.

So I’d love for you to take those next steps of faith by the still waters of Lake Como, Italy with me, next October!

The Significance of Still Waters

The imagery of still waters is deeply rooted in scripture.

We see Jesus Christ as our “Living Water” in John 7:37-39

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”

Psalm 1 speaks about our lives when Jesus is our “Living Water”

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

And Psalm 23 beautifully illustrates “Living Water” again:

"He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul."

These verses have encouraged my heart to be by “still waters” and seek Him.

And in the quiet stillness of His beauty on the shores of Lake Como, we will gather next October to do just that.

I’ve prayed countless prayers in this tiny little cove on Lake Como, and one of those prayers was to somehow get away to this place with a small group of women who desire something even deeper. To step away from the demands of everyday life and intentionally focus on seeking God.

To take the time to:

• Know His Word better

• Pray for clarity in our lives

• Encourage each other in our faith

• Be still by the water to seek God’s face

• And, embrace the unfolding of His plans

Did you know that it was a part of early church tradition to go to a place of water to pray? They even built churches close by water to signify being near the “Living Water.” I learned this after hearing our pastor talking about taking time to get away by “living water” to pray and seek the Lord. Wow, Just another amazing confirmation of what God has been putting on my heart to do! He is SO GOOD, isn’t He?!

So, after many years, lots of prayer and sitting on something I wasn’t quite sure about, until now…

I’ve put the dates on my calendar, booked the space, and I’m inviting you to join me for a very special Women's Retreat on the shores of Bellagio, Italy:

Trusting God by Still Waters

Here’s what that looks like next October 4 - 11, 2025:

• A retreat that connects women who are prayerfully seeking guidance on the next steps God is calling us to take.

• A retreat for those who feel called to embrace boldness in sharing their faith with others.

• A retreat dedicated to uplifting one another as women of faith. Whether you're feeling uncertain about how to step out in faith or you’re eager to share the hope and love of Jesus.

• A retreat where you’ll be free to reflect on your life, struggles, hopes and dreams by the still waters of Lake Como, inviting God to speak into your heart.

• A retreat where we’ll celebrate the unique ways God is calling each one of us to be a light in this dark world.

Is He calling you to step out into deeper waters?

Are you ready to join me in Italy and seek God’s guidance for your life in the stillness of this place? If this is something your heart is longing for, would you let me know? I’d love to pray for you as you prayerfully consider joining me here next fall!

And just to make it very clear…

Rest assured, we will still behold the beauty of Lake Como, be inspired by the villages and villas on the lake, and enjoy it’s amazing food!

If you’d like to know all the details for this retreat, send me an email or contact me via the contact page above. I’ll send you all the information on the cost, how many rooms I have for single and double occupancy, and what the week will look like.

Again, this is a very small, private retreat, shared exclusively through this blog. You won’t find a Registration button to automatically sign up and it won’t be on IG either. If you want to join me, send me an email with any questions you have, and then I can send you a private link to sign up, just know that link will expire once we are full.

I know the Lord is going to put it on the hearts of the exact women He wants to be there. So as you pray about this retreat, I invite you to reflect on what it means to trust God with your next steps. What fears or uncertainties are holding you back? How might God be inviting you to step into a new season of faith? These are all questions we will ponder right there, by the still waters of Lake Como… together.

I can’t wait to share this experience with you! I know the Lord is going to meet us there.

Have a great day in Him.

Hugs to all,

Laura McCollough