My toddler is going to be in a wedding this weekend.\u00a0 She is going to be a flower girl and she is really excited.\u00a0 We even practiced in the chapel last weekend so that she could get the idea about walking down the aisle by herself.\u00a0 We practiced WALKING down the aisle.\u00a0 She has a cute dress and new shoes (since she outgrew her old dress shoes); she has a frilly hair bow and gets to hold a small bouquet.<\/p>\n
When she tells me about the wedding she tells me about how the bride will wear a poufy dress and there will be music in the big church.\u00a0 She has very preconceived notions about weddings.\u00a0 I am not really sure where those notions come from, but she seems to have missed some pretty obvious things like the groom and keyed in on others, particularly that the dress should be white and big. I wonder what Disney books and what TV shows have shaped her imaginary pictures and made her so sure about how it will be.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just hope she walks.<\/p>\n
As we start another academic year as a community, what preconceived notions do we bring with us?\u00a0 One of the gifts of a college community is that there is a constant rotation of new students and a regular introduction of new faculty of staff.\u00a0 New people are welcomed into the community, and there should always be new ideas and reflection.\u00a0 Do we remember to adapt?\u00a0 Do we remember to approach the \u201csame tasks\u201d with openness to try them in new ways?\u00a0 If we are new to the community, do we come prepared to adapt?\u00a0 Are we willing to learn in new ways, teach in a new context, or serve a slightly different environment?<\/p>\n
I am hoping that the flower girl won\u2019t be too disappointed when she finds out that this Saturday\u2019s bride is wearing a straight column dress, not poufy at all.\u00a0 I tried to break the news to her, but I fear it will be a shock.\u00a0 As we start a new academic year, I have two prayers to share with you, a Prayer for Openness to New Experiences <\/em>and a Prayer for a New Attitude<\/em>.\u00a0 Please use one or both, as appropriate.\u00a0 Here we go!<\/p>\n Blessings, Stephanie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My toddler is going to be in a wedding this weekend.\u00a0 She is going to be a flower girl and she is really excited.\u00a0 We even practiced in the chapel last weekend so that she could get the idea about …<\/p>\n