As I sit here (sleep having fled) it gives me time to reflect on this journey we are about to take.Are we ready to go, really ready to go? Is my family really ready for us to leave?I got a call from my oldest brother, Pastor Bob Smith, wondering when we were leaving. He had heard that we were having a "gathering" before we leave. He wanted to come up and visit before we left but when he heard that it was Oct. 25th he had to decline because he will be in Texas that day preaching. He calls me Elder Jim (I hope a sign of respect) and introduces me to others in his church as such.On November 8th we will be set apart in our home by our Stake President. Cozy, no fanfare just a quiet moment when the spirit can speak to us all.There are those that say we are lucky to be able to go at this time of our lives. Luck had nothing to with it. The Lord has directed us on this path. We promised to serve Him, to consecrate our time, talents and everything else to Him. He has blessed us in so many ways that I'm afraid I can never repay or repeat them. Guardian angles have watched over us, protected us and chastised us on many occassions.We have "dodged the bullet" to many timed to count. But as I reflect back over the past 56 years I realize that I was have headed for this time, for this day, for this mission.Are we afraid to go to a country as far away as Myanmar? NO! Are we concerned that we will fail? NO! "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us" Rom. 8: 31.We have learned to turn our backs on the things of this world.We don't have a fancy car, a boat, a large trailer, fancy truck but we are out of debt.We have dreamed, contemplated and hoped for this call since we were married. Colleens' mother was trying to get her to go on a Health Services Mission even after we were engaged.So, here we are, five weeks until MTC. Seven weeks untill liftoff. Not enough time to get everything done but we will leave it in the Lords hands.