What an unforgettable experience!
In 2025, my husband and I finally took our honeymoon after 18 years of marriage, debt-free, and worth every moment of waiting. As we approach our 19th anniversary this year, I find myself reflecting on just how special this trip truly was. We planned intentionally, mapping out every experience we wanted before we ever boarded our flight, and Italy did not disappoint. It was not just a vacation. It was an experience woven through with biblical history, breathtaking architecture, incredible food, and an artistic legacy so rich and vast that it still carries the fingerprints of craftsmen and artists whose dedication and skill brought beauty into the world in ways that still resonate today.
Regardless of where these craftsmen and artists stood in their relationship with Christ, the work of their hands points back to something greater than themselves. The capacity to create is a gift God wove into humanity from the very beginning, and walking through spaces filled with that kind of artistry only deepened our reverence for Him.
My husband is a veteran who traveled to eighteen countries during his military career. I, on the other hand, had only been outside of the United States twice before this trip. But as the Lord wills, we will continue to travel, advance the Gospel of the Kingdom, and I am always grateful when He makes a way, especially when I get to experience the world alongside my husband.
Garden of Oranges & Knights of Malta Keyhole
One of our most memorable stops on our Vespa tour was discovering the connection between two places we had already visited separately. We had peered through the Knights of Malta keyhole, stopped before that centuries-old door and looked through a small, perfectly placed opening to find one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. What appeared through that tiny keyhole was an image so precise and so beautiful that it could only speak to the intentionality of great design. It stopped me in my tracks and filled my heart with wonder. It was not until our Vespa tour wound its way through the Aventine Hill that we realized the Giardino degli Aranci, the Garden of Oranges, sat just steps away and was directly connected to that same site. There we were, surrounded by orange trees with all of Rome stretching out in front of us. It was the kind of moment you just stop and breathe in. What made it even more special was that we were not alone in that feeling. Several artists had set up right there in the park, painting and enjoying their gift under the open sky, as if the beauty around them simply demanded a response.
ReLab Cafe Pasta & Tiramisu
We also had the joy of making pasta and tiramisu together at a charming Italian cafe. There is something deeply wonderful about learning a craft in the place where it was born. We laughed, we made a mess, and we ate every bite.
Food in Italy
Most mornings we had breakfast at our hotel and headed out early to make the most of each day. On the evenings we stayed in, the hotel dining was a pleasant surprise in itself. The menu varied from night to night, offering everything from traditional Italian cuisine to Japanese sushi, each evening bringing something different to the table. The desserts were absolutely divine, and the pastries and cakes were almost too beautiful to eat, a quiet reminder that creativity has a way of showing up in the most unexpected places.
Art & Biblical Architecture
Throughout our journey we were surrounded by extraordinary artistry, and the craftsmen behind it were remarkable in every sense of the word. These were men and women who gave their lives to their work, who climbed scaffolding, mixed pigments by hand, carved marble, and laid mosaic tiles with a level of patience and precision that is almost incomprehensible today. Whether painting a ceiling, sculpting a figure, or designing the bones of a building, they brought everything they had. That kind of devoted craftsmanship is something every creative person can learn from regardless of the context it was created in.
We also had the opportunity to visit the Da Vinci museum, which was a highlight in its own right. Leonardo da Vinci was not simply a painter. He was a believer in Christ and a remarkable inventor whose curiosity and genius reflected a mind that sought to understand the world God created. We also stood before works by some of history’s most celebrated painters including Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, and da Vinci himself. The painted ceilings, the frescoes, the sculptures, and the grand architecture all reminded me that the capacity to create is a gift God wove into humanity from the very beginning.
My husband and I are both artists, he is a musician and I am a visual artist, and we are both believers in Christ. Walking through those spaces together gave us a lot to talk about, and as two people who view the world through a biblical lens, the experience only deepened our faith in Christ. Seeing the linens of the Apostles and the prison quarters of the Apostles Paul and Peter moved us deeply. Standing in those spaces made the finished work of Christ feel even more tangible, reminding us of the incredible price paid for the salvation of humanity, the advancement of the Gospel, and the historical events that gave the world the parchment of the Bible.
Artists, Artisan Shops & Supplies
We also had the pleasure of meeting artists along the way. One evening in a beautiful Italian square we came across Igor Sava, an artist sharing his work under the open sky. I believe God placed him in our path at just the right moment. His warmth and his simple encouragement to start painting and enjoy the process genuinely stayed with me, a timely reminder that the joy of creating matters just as much as the outcome. We purchased one of his paintings to commemorate the moment, and it now hangs in our living room where it looks absolutely stunning.
Some of our most visited stops were the local Italian artisan shops. We visited Manufactus, a beautiful shop carrying handcrafted leather bags, journals, wax seals, and so much more, the kind of place where every item told a story. We also stopped into Ditta G. Poggi, a wonderful art supply shop with a history and charm all its own.
The shop that stayed with me most was Dal 1910 Colori, where I purchased my very first Divolio watercolor palette and a set of Ascoda brushes. Stepping into that space felt like stepping into something sacred for a creative. The walls, the shelves, the smell of pigment and paper, all of it spoke a language I understood immediately. What made this shop even more special was the story behind it. The gentleman behind the counter shared something truly remarkable, showing us the space where his family had lived during the Second World War, using their art studio as a place of refuge to shelter and save many lives. What touched our hearts deeply was how openly and willingly he shared such an intimate piece of his family’s history. They never left. They endured, and they created. That same space that once sheltered a family through one of history’s darkest seasons is now a thriving artisan studio where painting classes are held today. That kind of redemption and resilience expressed through art deeply resonates with the heart behind Prayerfully Sent. I left that shop not just with new supplies but with a renewed sense of why creating with intention and purpose matters.
Manufactus
Artisan Shop: Dal 1910 Colori
Beautiful Italian Doors & Landscapes
After leaving the shops I spent time photographing beautiful Italian doors and scenery, already dreaming of what those colors and textures would look like brought to life on paper with my new watercolors.
A Trip Worth Every Moment
Italy was a gift. It was a testament to God’s faithfulness in the waiting and a celebration of everything our marriage represents. Beyond the art and the artisan shops, we made pasta and tiramisu with our own hands, laughed our way through a professional Vespa tour of Rome, took romantic couples photos on the lake at Villa Borghese, explored the ruins of Pompeii, visited more museums than I can count, and savored long Italian dinners that reminded us to slow down and enjoy every moment. We even made our way to the Amalfi Coast, where I discovered that Limoncello is actually a lemon liqueur and not a music genre, which my husband found very amusing.
Every experience, whether standing before a centuries old work of art or simply sharing a meal together, felt like an invitation to keep creating with intention and gratitude. I carry a deep reverence for the Apostles, the Christian martyrs, and those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life who lived and told their stories quietly within the Roman Empire. Many of them left no monuments behind, no famous names, no celebrated works of art. They simply believed, endured, and remained faithful. Walking the same ground they once walked made their stories feel less like history and more like a personal inheritance. I hope this post inspires you to keep creating and to stay open to the beauty God places in your path.
Blessings to you in the name of my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ,
Filed under: Art Studio Organization, Artisan Collection, Artisan Journal, Materials & Tools, Painting and Mixed Media
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As a biblical Christian, I strive to represent Christ and His Word accurately in all that I share. This blog is a space for truth, encouragement, and Christ-centered creativity. If you are a follower of Christ, you are part of His Body, and it pleases the Lord when we walk in love and unity, especially for the sake of those who are unbelieving.
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