Last week was the Time For God BIG Conference held at Cefn Lea in Mid-Wales. The BIG conference is for all TFG volunteers throughout the UK.

First of all, Wales is incredibly beautiful. Among the hills, it began to snow and didn't stop until we had a couple centimeters on the ground. This was a big deal. I've missed snow much more than I thought I would. So needless to say, I and other YAGMs and volunteers had a snowball fight, ran around, and got drenched with the very wet snow.

Secondly, it was really great to see all of the volunteers from TFG. We have come from all over the world and the diversity is beautiful. That, and seeing all the YAGMs was also a real big treat. Lots of catching up and planning to visit each other happened as well as much laughter and cups of coffee consumed.

The conference made for a nice break away from Edinburgh. As much as I love it in Edinburgh, it is always good to have a holiday. The things about conferences is that there is always a lot of reflection time. You see, this is a necessary bit and helpful, but I always find it sort of stresses me out to an extent. I love reflection, but if there is an issue that I am trying to avoid or am having a hard time putting words to, then I sort of want to avoid reflection. I found myself thinking about my time in the UK so far as well as my time left here. (About 6 months left. Woah.) I was thinking of ways to improve here and to make my time at the House as meaningful as possible. I was thinking of the many, complex challenges I encounter on a daily basis and how to continue to encounter them. I was thinking about how I've seen myself grow and change in my time here. I was thinking about exciting, new things happening in my personal life. I was thinking about everything back in the States. Needless to say, I had a lot on my mind.

On the final morning, just before heading to the train station, we had a final worship. Paul, the program director for TFG, spoke on going forward. He used Lord of the Rings to make his point. My ears perked up because I LOVE LOTR. Paul gave the example of Frodo and Sam in The Two Towers:

"Frodo: I can't do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for."

To be honest with you, this brought tears to my eyes. As I sat in worship and reflected more on everything I encounter here: good and bad. I realized that there are times still when I wonder how and earth I'll make it through or why I thought it was a good idea to leave everything and come here. I realized that there is something that keeps me going on tough days. There is something that I am here for. There is a reason and purpose to me being here. I am here for the people at the House. I am there to listen to them and hear them out and remind them of their worth. I am here to grow in community with my co-workers and flatmates and to live in love abounding. There is good here. I know this, but having the reminder was something I needed to hear. This vocation in the same for all of the TFG volunteers as well as for all of the YAGM volunteers all over the world. Sometimes, when I think of my YAGM family living in love I become overwhelmed. Even in Middle Earth, Samwise knew that there is an underlying connection between all living things. That is why we're here. What a beautiful reminder of the good in this world and the potential we all have for peace and hope for the future.

Here is the Youtube clip of the Frodo and Sam bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlyEwcplCD4