Says Cindy, "Welcome in, Everybody."
Readings:
Isaiah , 49, 3, 5-6, I will make you a light to the nations.
(This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.)
Psalm 40, Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.
1 Corinthians 1, 1-3, Paul, called to be an apostle
John 1, 29-34, I saw the spirit come down
And never to be left behind, Ben, too, says, "Come in, Everybody. It is delightful here."
I will make you a light to the nations
Have you people ever heard of a woman named Samantha Elandary? No? Never heard of her? You must be living under a rock.
No. Actually I had never heard of her until I saw her at choral presentation last fall at Richardson High School. All singers were Parkinson persons. She is my choice for being a light to the nations. Certainly she is a light for me. Why?
The Candle Girls in action.
Samantha, a graduate of UNT with a degree in speech pathology, established in 2005 a non- profit program called Parkinson Voice Project.
One of the delightful little surprises of Parkinson is that the person slowly loses voice strength, eventually becoming almost mute and faced with whispering to communicate. I personally have noticed that I am developing a little bit of this. Ask my buddies at our Friday Romeo’s luncheons. Maybe even Rosemary would love me more if I would reach this stage.
Buddy reading the Candle Blessing.
Samantha’s program at Parkinson Voice Project has two levels.
- Individual speech therapy one on one with a professional therapist. I am on this level. I started in January a 4 week program of 3 sessions a week, 2 sessions with my therapist, & a third session with a group of people on this beginner ‘s level.
The communion team.
I have a workbook with phrases I am instructed to read and speak with intent. Speaking with intent is the key.
- The second level takes place at the end of my month and involves group sessions where I am challenged to speak with intent loudly. I’ll tell you more about this in February, when I graduate into the group therapy sessions.
I'm jealous, Ben!
I cannot tell you how consoled I felt the one time I was in the group session. All of us had the same problem and I felt a sense of strength & of being among kindred spirits.
There are today over 400 participants in the Parkinson Voice Project . It is also training therapists from other corners of the U.S. The program started by Samantha, meeting such a great need, is the only one in the world.
Welcome in.
The program operates on a pay it forward arrangement. I have not been asked for a nickel. Participants are obviously chipping in.
In fact, at the fall choral presentation we were told about a financial challenge Samantha was given. Collect 1 million dollars and a benefactor would donate $500 thousand. Samantha & her team succeeded.
The Best Team.
Samantha Elandary is my Light to the Nations, a person who makes God’s touch reach to all the corners of the earth.
Who is your Samantha? How are you a Light?
You are The Best Salesgirl for Girl Scout cookies, Dearest Harper.