Nine Months
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130: 5
When I returned from my two week mission trip to Tanzania last July, it took me less than a month to realize I would be going back to stay long term. I have heard God calling me to different things in the past. Sometimes I listen to that call and other times I've pretended not to hear it, believing that my plan was better than His. But God's call for me to move to Tanzania was not just something I heard. It was something I felt with my whole being. A feeling so compelling that it drove out any fear or doubt. I felt it as I prepared my classroom in August. I felt it as I researched programs that I could partner with in this journey. I felt it as I interviewed with the Methodist church's Volunteers in Mission program, and as I attended training to better understand my role as a missionary. I felt it as I celebrated Christmas with my family and as my church family began to surround me with support. I felt it as I told my staff at school, and I felt it through my tears as I told my 570 elementary students that I would no longer be their music teacher. Through all of this, I knew this was what God was calling me to do.
I started a countdown on my phone about nine months prior to my departure date. And although I have never been pregnant, the anticipation and impatience I have felt during these nine months is what I imagine it would be like (minus the morning sickness and swollen feet). Waiting is, as I assume it is for most people, my least favorite thing. But as I dreamed of, planned, and prayed for the day I would arrive in Tanzania, I witnessed God working through the waiting. He prepared my heart in ways I didn't know it needed to be prepared. Over these nine months I have learned to joyfully rely on God. Not just when I'm at my breaking point, but during everyday moments.
God has also placed amazing people in my life to lean on, laugh with, and confide in. This past Labor Day I was shopping with my friend Jennifer Taylor and we started talking about our dinner plans. She mentioned that she had four chicken breasts but only three people in her family, and asked me to join them. Not being a fan of cooking, I quickly said yes. The next Monday she was trying a recipe and asked if I wanted to come over for dinner. I joined them again the next Monday, and the next, and every Monday after that to this day. It is a tradition that we call "Mondays with Allee" and it has become my favorite night of the week. Our conversations are always entertaining and the food is always good. Being included in their family over these nine months has kept me grounded and given me a safe place to go when I need to be myself, but don't want to be alone. I will miss my Mondays with the Taylors when I move to Tanzania. To keep the Mondays with Allee tradition alive, I will be posting on my blog every Monday during my year in Tanzania. Whether it's a long story, a short update, or just pictures, I want to post something every week. I pray that these posts will help keep us connected despite being thousands of miles apart.
There are now only 22 days left on my countdown. What initially felt like a lifetime away is almost here and I can confidently say I am ready. I know this year away will not be easy. I will face trials, frustrations, and heartaches unlike anything I've experienced before. But I will not face them alone. I will continue to joyfully rely on the God who created and called me.
Thank you for reading, for caring, and supporting me in this journey of faith.
Mungu akubariki,
(God bless you)
Allee
Psalm 130: 5
When I returned from my two week mission trip to Tanzania last July, it took me less than a month to realize I would be going back to stay long term. I have heard God calling me to different things in the past. Sometimes I listen to that call and other times I've pretended not to hear it, believing that my plan was better than His. But God's call for me to move to Tanzania was not just something I heard. It was something I felt with my whole being. A feeling so compelling that it drove out any fear or doubt. I felt it as I prepared my classroom in August. I felt it as I researched programs that I could partner with in this journey. I felt it as I interviewed with the Methodist church's Volunteers in Mission program, and as I attended training to better understand my role as a missionary. I felt it as I celebrated Christmas with my family and as my church family began to surround me with support. I felt it as I told my staff at school, and I felt it through my tears as I told my 570 elementary students that I would no longer be their music teacher. Through all of this, I knew this was what God was calling me to do.
I started a countdown on my phone about nine months prior to my departure date. And although I have never been pregnant, the anticipation and impatience I have felt during these nine months is what I imagine it would be like (minus the morning sickness and swollen feet). Waiting is, as I assume it is for most people, my least favorite thing. But as I dreamed of, planned, and prayed for the day I would arrive in Tanzania, I witnessed God working through the waiting. He prepared my heart in ways I didn't know it needed to be prepared. Over these nine months I have learned to joyfully rely on God. Not just when I'm at my breaking point, but during everyday moments.
God has also placed amazing people in my life to lean on, laugh with, and confide in. This past Labor Day I was shopping with my friend Jennifer Taylor and we started talking about our dinner plans. She mentioned that she had four chicken breasts but only three people in her family, and asked me to join them. Not being a fan of cooking, I quickly said yes. The next Monday she was trying a recipe and asked if I wanted to come over for dinner. I joined them again the next Monday, and the next, and every Monday after that to this day. It is a tradition that we call "Mondays with Allee" and it has become my favorite night of the week. Our conversations are always entertaining and the food is always good. Being included in their family over these nine months has kept me grounded and given me a safe place to go when I need to be myself, but don't want to be alone. I will miss my Mondays with the Taylors when I move to Tanzania. To keep the Mondays with Allee tradition alive, I will be posting on my blog every Monday during my year in Tanzania. Whether it's a long story, a short update, or just pictures, I want to post something every week. I pray that these posts will help keep us connected despite being thousands of miles apart.
There are now only 22 days left on my countdown. What initially felt like a lifetime away is almost here and I can confidently say I am ready. I know this year away will not be easy. I will face trials, frustrations, and heartaches unlike anything I've experienced before. But I will not face them alone. I will continue to joyfully rely on the God who created and called me.
Thank you for reading, for caring, and supporting me in this journey of faith.
Mungu akubariki,
(God bless you)
Allee
Dear Allee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey! This is so cool!
Mongo Santamaria