DREAM A LITTLE DREAM… by Jo Massaro

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM… by Jo Massaro
Saturday, October 3, 2020 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: The Book Lover’s Companion: Second Edition

AUTHOR: Jo Massaro

PUBLISHER JDW Publishers

Genre: NonFiction/reference

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: stand-alone

TARGET AGE: 18+

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR JO MASSARO TO PATTI’S PORCH. JO SHARES A DREAM SHE IS STRIVING TO FULFILL AND THE STEPS SHE IS TAKING TO ACHIEVE IT.

JO IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR A PRINT COPY OF THE BOOK LOVER’S COMPANION. THREE WINNERS WILL BE CLHOSEN FOR THIS GIVEAWAY!

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM…

Jo Massaro

Having grown up on movies and music, I danced and sang my way through life. One of the nightclub comedians and movie stars that I loved was Danny Thomas.

You might be familiar with Danny and his career, or you may wonder who this man was. Maybe you know the name from St. Jude’s Hospital.

On 6 January 1912, in Deerfield, Michigan, Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz was born, the fifth of ten children of Charles Yakhoob Kairouz and Margaret Taouk, Maronite Catholic immigrants from Lebanon.

Before settling on the name Danny Thomas, he was known by many other names. When he was a baby, everyone called him “Muzzy.” He began his career performing under his Anglicized birth name, Amos Jacobs. After moving to Chicago in 1940, he settled on the name Danny Thomas, a name derived from the first names of two of his brothers.

To further confuse you, his friends, like Frank Sinatra, called him “Jake,” and his wife, Rose Marie called him, “Amos.”

He had great aspirations for show business, and during the last years of the Great Depression, he seemed doomed to fail. Rose Marie was about to deliver their first child. There was no money to pay the hospital bill, and Danny had $7.85 to his name.

He was desperate. He thought of ending his efforts in show business and take whatever steady work he could find.

Danny explains it as, “My despair led me to my first exposure to the power of faith.” He entered a church and dropped a dollar in the collection box. He sat and listened to the priest talk about money that was needed for missionary work. He tells us how, “I got carried away and ended up giving my last $6.00 away. I had .85 cents left.”

When he realized what he had done, he walked up to the altar. He prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the Patron saint of hopeless and lost causes, and said, “Show me my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.”

The next morning, he got a call. There was a job available—a demonstration skit for Maytag washing machines. The pay was $75.00.

So began a lifelong association between a comedian and his saint. He stepped out in faith, and a dream to start St. Jude’s Hospital was born.

So why the story of Danny Thomas? What does it have to do with “Dream a little dream?”

I have a dream. I want to get books in the hands of children all over the world. In September, God spoke to me to host a month-long event on Facebook and ask authors of children’s books to video themselves reading their books. The videos would then be shared with others on Facebook. October was chosen because October is National Reading Month. I sent an email to an author friend and explained the idea. She jumped on board immediately.

One author, after another, came on board, and we now have thirty-one authors. We highlight one each day and give away a copy of their book. We have downloadable pages of activities, surprises, and chances to win Amazon gift cards.

Every Sunday, I’m giving away a copy of my new book, “The Book Lover’s Companion, Second Edition” to a parent. It is a book designed for book readers to record information about the books they have read, loaned and borrowed books, pages for authors pictures, and includes recipes from readers, along with family stories.

Never did I think I would be writing a book, and currently, I’m working on a children’s book.

I’m turning 70 on October 14, 2020. I’m still dreaming. I want to see libraries built in villages and countries throughout the world. Can you image going to South Africa and building a library? I can.

What is your dream? It may be to get to know all your neighbours and be a bright light.

I would love to hear about your dreams, so I can pray for you.

Buy link for The Book Lover’s Companion

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A PRINT COPY OF THE BOOK LOVER’S COMPANION BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13^TH AT MIDNIGHT MDT.THREE WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FOR THIS GIVEAWAY! U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY ELIGIBLE.

BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.

Fifteen years ago, God spoke to Jo Massaro to start Yahweh Sisterhood Book Club while she lived in N.Y.S. Five years ago, she moved to Indiana and continued the book club but with a twist. You not only read the book, but you met the author, either in person or through Zoom. Since COVID-19, we are doing all meetings live on Facebook.

Jo is Co-President of the newly formed Word Weavers, Int’l in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was co-leader, along with her husband, of Celebrate Recovery for seven years.

In 1982, Jo and her husband started a non-profit in N.Y.S. that worked with children, families, and individuals infected/affected by HIV/AIDS for 20 years.

He current passion is to see books in the hands of children all over the world. Join us on Facebook during the month of October and hear children’s authors read to children. Join us at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1104060663383356/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Jo is a mother of four, grandmother of nine, and married to her husband, Dominick, for 29 years.

Speaker

Jo brings humor, energy, authenticity, faith, and the strength she found in the Word of God. She describes her journey through her darkest times and how God brought her to a relationship with the Light of the World.

She offers themed messages to your group and works with your team to customize a topic you have selected. She speaks before small or large groups, churches, or wherever God leads her.

Contact Jo at [email protected]

Connect with Jo:

Jo’s website

https://www.jomassaroministries.com/

Yahweh sisterhood book club website

https://www.yahwehsisterhoodbookclub.com/

Yahweh sisterhood bookclub Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.yahwehsisterhoodbookclubcom/

Jo Massarro Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/JoMassaroChristianSpeaker/

Jo Massarro Linkedin page

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-josephine-massaro-89a0b361/

Jo Massarro YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVkvmCic2EsCQEXUEiK_02A/videos?view_as=subscriber

SUBSCRIBE TO PATTI’S BLOGS HERE

Comments

Jo Massaro From IN At 10/13/2020 10:39:33 AM

Hi Becky, I'm so glad you were able to get your name in the giveaway. I would love to get a chance to talk. I'm looking at your website and love it. I'll connect. Jo

Becky M Van Vleet From CO At 10/12/2020 1:58:04 PM

Jo, as baby boomers, my husband and I grew up watching Danny Thomas. Honestly, I have to say I did not know all of his background. I remember enjoying "The Danny Thomas Show". Maybe it's too late? I would love to participate in your children's book giveaway program. I'm a children's book author.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Becky. Thank you so much for stopping by. I think you and Jo would enjoy getting to know each other. You are entered in the drawing.

Jo Massaro From IN At 10/9/2020 9:52:36 PM

Hi Dave, Thanks for connecting. As I said in the interview, I asked God, "for his heart for His people." I believe each of us has such an opportunity to make an impact in the world, and that we should be an encouragement to others. You have been an encouragement to me. Thank you. Jo

Jo Massaro From IN At 10/9/2020 9:47:37 PM

Hi Amre, Thanks for connecting. It is amazing the life that Danny Thomas led when it could have been so different. I love how he not only prayed and saw God meet a need for him and his family, but he never forgot his promise. God is so faithful. Blessings, Jo

Jo Massaro From IN At 10/9/2020 9:43:58 PM

Hi Robin, So excited that you were able to listen in and be a part of "In Their Hands." I will visit your website. Blessings my friend, Jo

Jo Massaro From IN At 10/9/2020 9:41:39 PM

Hi Jerolyn, I always loved Danny Thomas as well. It is a fascinating story of how that night when he gave almost everything he had away and said a prayer. Thank you for connecting. It means a great deal to me. Blessings, Jo

Jerolyn From COLORADO At 10/6/2020 10:33:12 PM

I loved watching Danny Thomas when I was young and knew he was a man of great faith, but did not know the story behind it and St. Jude's Hospital. Thanks for bringing back good memories, and sharing what you are doing to help others. God bless you.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Jerolyn. Thank you for stopping by and joining the conversation.

Robin Johnson From Arizona At 10/6/2020 2:03:57 PM

Loved hearing your heart Jo! God never stops using us! Thanks for allowing me to be part of your “In Their Hands.” Patti thanks for interviewing her I enjoyed it! Miss Robin - Childrens podcast host “Different Isn’t Bad” www.robinmarie.org

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Robin. Thank you for stopping by. So glad you enjoyed the interview. Thank you for sharing.

Amre From Idaho At 10/4/2020 4:58:00 PM

Hi. Thank you for presenting this info. I had no idea the "behind the scenes" Danny Thomas and how his faith came to be. Sad to think how many "stars" nowadays have no faith or the opposite!. Good to remember, too, to give away what we have! I'll look for your book! :)