When I woke up at 4:30am this morning to fly to New Orleans for the NAECED conference, I left Connecticut with my usual flat-ish coif, took a nap on the flight and when I emerged from the plane in New Orleans a mere 3 hours later, my hair was the volume and size of a small bush on my head.
Yes. It’s kind of humid here.
The weather is expected to be in the 60’s and 70’s while I’m here, which of course I am not complaining about, but since it really hasn’t been too bad at home as far as winter yet…I don’t entirely appreciate it, quite honestly.
I took a nice walk along Canal Street earlier and I’m finding an interesting mix of corporate and historical buildings side by side. This looks like a nice place to explore, although they are going to be keeping us pretty busy with only one late afternoon free for any exploring time.
Anyhow…I am in the lobby of the Double Tree hotel at the moment, waiting for my room to be ready. I’ve seen many familiar faces from other conferences from past years, and we’ve welcomed each other warmly, even if we can’t always remember each other’s names. There are 4 of us here from Connecticut., and over 160 conference attendees. It is quite funny sitting here, while people are checking in, though, checking each other out as we pass by each other to see if the other “looks like a Christian Education Director.” It’s not like we have T-shirts announcing it. Although in retrospect I’m kicking myself for not wearing my Grace Church T-shirt. Once we check in, we get a lanyard and name tag, so that will help tremendously.
There are a surprising (to me) number of men here. I think we all have it in our heads that mostly women are involved in Children's Christian Formation, but I noticed at the last conference I attended in San Francisco, that men are increasing in numbers in this ministry and I think it is wonderful to see. Many years ago one of our SYG teachers was a male and I felt he was a wonderful role model and mentor to our young men in the SYG.
Once I get into my room in a few minutes, I’ll unpack and head down to the NAECED registration to pick up my packet and say hello. At 4:30pm is an ice-breaker gathering and then at 5:30 is a social hour with some appetizers. Dinner is at 6pm, then an opening program, worship service and then by 9pm we can go back to our rooms for the night, or I’ve heard plans of another informal gathering in the lobby. I, for one, will most likely go back to my room to crash since we need to be up early tomorrow for a full day of workshops. I’ll post more about those later once I get my packet. I’m embarrassed to say I can’t remember what I signed up for! All the workshops sounded wonderful and I wanted to attend so many of them, I can’t remember what I eventually chose. I’ll find out as soon as I get my packet. LOL.
All of my meals are included in the this conference except for lunch today so because I was so early I checked my bag with the porter and had a nice lunch in the adjoining restaurant here. The waitress suggested I try the gumbo and a friend shrimp and Cajun coleslaw sandwich. “Do you like spice?” she asked me. “Of course! I love spicy food.” Which I do.
Spicy food in Connecticut, apparently. What us lightweights in CT consider spicy is no match…just trust me. The first several bits of the sandwich were absolutely delicious. And when I can feel my mouth again I will tell you how the rest of it actually was. I’m guessing that will be sometime tomorrow.
I am so looking forward to tonight’s activities and being amongst like minded women and men who have chosen to make Christian Education their ministry and passion—whether by profession, calling, faith, inspiration, curiosity or love.
More later after tonight’s events.
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