Mondays with Allee

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31: 8 Tomorrow is the big day! Knowing that in just over 48 hours I will be reunited with my family, hugging my mom and dad tight, and cuddling with my dog Miles makes my heart do a somersault.  I'm also very much looking forward to eating real tacos again, going to see a movie or two, and enjoying many Starbucks seasonal Chestnut Praline lattes while I am home.  Frank and I will leave Morogoro tomorrow morning and take a five hour bus ride to Dar es Salaam.  Our flight doesn't depart until 11:55 PM but we want to give ourselves plenty of time to get to the airport and get settled.  As of now my bags are (almost) packed and I'm working on checking off last minute items on my to-do list.  I'm hoping to spend this evening at home with Anitha and some of my other friends relaxing and enjoying time together before we are apart for ...

"Many happy returns to the day of your birth.  May joy and gladness be given.  And may the dear Father prepare you on earth, for a glorious birthday in heaven." Papa I published my blog last Monday morning and in the evening I got a text from my mom that Papa was doing worse.  His blood pressure was low and he had a fever.  I called her. She was at the hospice center with him and my grandma and she said that it wasn't going to be much longer.  "His body is here, but his spirit is gone." she told me.  "I think he's there visiting you in Tanzania. Look for him, ok? In the children.  In the rain.  Even in the mosquitos."  I laughed softly as tears filled my eyes. She asked me about my day and what was going on here.  I told her stories about the kids and we laughed.   She was in the middle of a sentence when she suddenly said "I have to go." and hung up the phone.  I knew that was it. My grandfather, Carman Raga...

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 Over the past month I have failed to post a blog two out of the four weeks.  While I know that there is no contract requiring me to post every single Monday, I still felt guilty for not posting.  I also know that you, my readers, know that I am human and things happen, but I still feel my irregular posting deserves some explanation. Last summer when I came to Morogoro on the two week mission trip that changed my life, I met Frank and Junior.  If you read my blogs regularly, their names are familiar to you.  They are two incredible men who live and serve here in Morogoro.  They are both gifted teachers as well as leaders in our church.  When our team met them last year we had conversations with them about their dreams to attend seminary in the U.S. and return to Africa to...