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And we're back, ladies and gentleman. I've been back in Ireland for about 2 weeks and last week was spent in Belfast, Northern Ireland where I helped with the Future Youth conference and the 20th Anniversary for Youth Initiatives! It was a great celebration of the amazing work God has done in the youth in Northern Ireland over the past couple of decades.

It was truly incredible to be able sit among the past and present workers of YI and hear the speeches of tremendous people like Jamie Treadwell and Doug Smith, to hear the history of the program, and to see the crosslinks performance of the current youth. Knowing that 20 years ago this organisation was just an idea and now is a full fledged charity doing so much good for the country is so encouraging.

It was especially cool for me to be there because some of my siblings have gone to work with YI in the past. My brother, John was the first and then my sister Anna. They both played a part (and made an impression, apparently) in the growth of Youth Initiatives. And here I am, so blessed to be at the 20th Anniversary of such a great program.

It was amazing to me how many of the staff I met in Belfast recognized me because I look like my siblings! I think a huge reason that YI has worked so well and made such a difference is the commitment of the people who work there. Their steadfast dedication to serving the youth of Northern Ireland throughout the years is astounding! The fact that these people remembered my family from many many years ago says so much about their personal characters and their unity as a group to forge ahead through all sorts of ups and downs all for the sake of giving hope to youth for the future. It is truly inspsiring to encounter.

So a special thank you to all the staff at Youth Initiatives for showing me how to put others first, what it really means to commit to something and what it looks like to answer the call. I am so blessed for having witnessed such great love and devotion.