Li-Ann finally joins the ranks of the YSG (Young Speaker’s Guild) students in our chapter IMPACT forCE when we began our chapter year in July. She is really really excited to attend chapter meetings, often asking me about it throughout the week and reminding me tirelessly on the morning when she wakes up. She would pack her file into her bag 24 hours before chapter meeting. And you know what’s the best part? She picks out her clothes 3 days ahead of time!!! Praise be to God for her positive attitude!!
I am very happy for her to join students of her age because that will encourage her and motivate her to learn. She has been very eager during portfolio and speech coaching sessions and made every effort to participate. What amazed me was that she willingly presented a short Self-Introduction for coaching during the small group session!!! I saw it from the corner of my eye while coaching in another part of the room. Will she fare well? I am not sure. But I am encouraged by her enthusiasm. How do I help her, especially with all the written assignments in her file? I am still trying to figure that out. There are many uncertainties and I can already anticipate the fears and anxieties that follow. However, I hang onto ONE CERTAINTY that comforts me:
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13 (KJV)
And my ONE SHEPHERD will show me the way:
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction. Psalm 23:1-3 (MSG)
After beginning with that first speech, I decided to get her involved in ONE THING to prepare her file – putting reinforcement rings ONE at a time. She was excited and very focused!! I could tell coz as I instructed her what to do, she was trying to figure out what she would prefer too. We did about 20 pages till she called it quits 😉 We had lots of practice working those fingers (occupational therapy) and problem solve together. EXCELLENT EFFORT!!
I Can Do It! 