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This weekend, Oxford had an Open Doors Day, which means that nearly everything in Oxford was open to the public for free. Colleges, gardens, museums, churches, etc. I took full advantage of the open doors and was overwhelmed by the incredible places, stories, and experiences I just happened to stumble upon...

Lovely gardens,

Open meadows,

Intricate ceilings,

Stained Glass windows,

and buildings that hold the memories of many, many, many years.

There is something so freeing about being able to simply let my feet lead me to my next destination. I never know where I'll end up. On Sunday, I entered the city hall and found myself looking at a flyer that read,
Country Dancing 1:30-3pm.
I took a look at my watch, 1:26. Country dancing? In England?
This was most definitely not the country dancing I had in mind, with cowboy hats, boots, banjos, and a "Yee Haw" every now and then.
Nope. This dancing was 17th century, English countryside dancing. So, picture the dancing scenes from the film Pride and Prejudice. Group circles, couple shuffles, slow waltzing, spinning rotations, and "flirting with your eyes." I had an absolute blast! My cheeks hurt at the end because I never stopped smiling. There I was, participating in an ancient tradition, learning dances that were part of the normal party experience, and meeting individuals who were committed to carrying on the tradition.

May you be inspired to learn about a tradition close to you. There is a true beauty in tradition. Take time to pause and acknowledge the historical tradition God inspired to bring you here today.

All my love,
Gennavieve

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