There is so much to be thankful for on this day that I want you all to know about.  First and foremost is that I am more ready than I have ever been to give everything I own and every worldly concept my controlling self clings to so that the life God has given me will be completely dedicated and glorifying to King Jesus.  This summer had been a struggle for a few weeks.  Now the question is not what will I do if I don't raise enough money to go, but how can I prepare myself more for the mission at hand.  God is speaking to me and assuring me that through him he will provide all the funds necessary for the trip.  It would be a great blessing if you all would pray for strengthened faith throughout my fundraising.  Another great blessing in my life right now that is growing my faith everyday is the biblestudy my friend Jared and I felt God leading us to this summer.  Last summer was a dark period in my walk with the Lord, and I was praying that God would direct me in a way that would grow me over the summer.  Sure enough God answered my prayer and led me to talk it over with a couple of my friends.  We are studying ACTS this summer.  We're going over a chapter a week and this coming Tuesday we are going over the fourth chapter.  What an amazing book in the bible.  Peter is so bold, fearless, and a man with great faith.  I pray that all you will grasp Peter's faith as we begin our own chapter of ACTS.  Brothers and Sisters we are only weeks away from a journey that will change our lives and our hearts forever.  May Jesus Christ be the only truth in our hearts over these weeks of preparation and discipline.  Tonight my prayer will be on Philippians 1:21-26.  Though I do want to with our Lord in heaven so much and I yearn to see His face, like Paul says in Philippians 1:23-26, "But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."