Let the Real Adventure Begin: The Road to Nationals

Little did I know just what obstacles lay ahead and what surprises lurked around every corner as I prepared to embark on this exhilarating adventure called Ms. Wheelchair America. After all, this was the event I had been preparing for since the start of my reign, so all the hard work of getting ready for this momentous occasion was about to pay off and it would be smooth sailing from here on out, right? Now, where would be the "fun" in that? 😉
Day 1: Air Travel is ALWAYS an Adventure!
The theme for this adventure quickly became expect the unexpected as our best laid plans were put on hold almost immediately, reminding me once again that even though we plan our ways, it is the LORD who directs our steps! Everything was going great as we made it to the airport in record time and breezed through security (I can't help but think that my crown and sash had something to do with that 😊.) Not only that, but as we got to our gate and settled in for the 2 hours remaining until our estimated departure, a gentleman offered to treat us to an oatmeal cookie, coffee and orange juice simply because Mom asked him how much a cup of coffee cost.

We had no idea yet just how grateful we would be for this man's kindness, as our little adventure took an unexpected turn and our flight out of MCI was delayed another 2 hours due to a mechanical failure and we weren't even flying with Delta! This meant that our 2 hour and 12 minute layover in Chicago's O'hare airport was now shortened to 15 minutes, not counting the extra time it takes to retrieve a 300 pound power chair from the cargo hold of the plane. Needless to say, there was no way we were going to make our connecting flight into Grand Rapids, but that's no problem because we could just come in on a later flight, right? WRONG! As it turns out, the remaining flights into Grand Rapids were all booked solid until Tuesday morning! So, now what do we do? We had two options:  one, we could be put on standby for a 3:05 pm flight, with no guarantees as to whether they would have a spot for both of us or we could switch to United and fly into Muskegon, not even landing until 6 pm, which meant we would miss the majority of the contestant orientation for MWA. Neither of those options sounded very promising and, in the end, we had no choice but to take the flight into Muskegon. Thankfully, Carrie's dad graciously offered to pick us up from that airport and take us to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel; however, the "fun" was just beginning 😉.
Not only did it take an extra looong time to retrieve my chair from the plane once again (Personally, I think someone decided to take it for a joy ride while we weren't looking), when we got to the baggage claim area, my suitcase was nowhere to be found! After some digging, we discovered that the suitcase had been transferred to the Grand Rapids airport. At least it was in Michigan, right? How hard would it be to deliver it to the hotel for us? Plus, the person helping us assured us it would be there by midnight, so, assuming all would be well, we FINALLY made our way to the hotel and boy were we ready, especially considering all we had eaten up to this point was an oatmeal cookie and a bag of chips; however, by the time we actually reached our destination it was well past dinner time and even though they had so graciously saved some food for us, we opted for a pizza instead and h headed to our room. I was so glad I had decided to pack pajamas and a couple extra outfits into my carry on! The only thing that I didn't have with me that I needed for the first night was my charger because it was in my checked bag.

Day 2: Still no luggage
The concierge was gracious enough to place some calls for me, but I had to make a choice between sitting on the phone for who knows how long just to discuss my missing luggage and miss out on yet another activity or I could let Mom handle the luggage and go have some real fun with my MWA "sisters." Needless to say, it was a "no brainer" for me 😉 and, besides, Mom wasn't all that interested  in painting anyway. As our group was strolling back to the hotel after lunch, Mom still had not heard anything about my suitcase, and, at this point, some of the ladies, whom I had just met, were even offering to let me borrow some clothes and a charger if I needed them! That was the first time I realized just how much of a sisterhood we all were becoming and that no matter what, we were  going to have each other's backs, which was very comforting to me! Long story short, Ms. Wheelchair Florida, made a phone call for me and I had my luggage by 3:30 pm that afternoon! God is good ALL the time!!!

So, as I reflect back on these obstacles that have been overcome, and prepare to face those that are sure to come in the future, I can say without a doubt, "Never give up, there's always a way!" Jesus Himself tells us that in this world, we WILL have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!!! That is why I choose joy! That is why I am an overcomer! Who's with me?!

Let the Adventure Begin: An Illustrated Blog

Friday March 11:  Welcome and Introductions

Making New Friends

 Our First Session:  Disability Pride

Getting to Know One Another

Ice Breaker with Fruit Snacks

We learned about everyone's likes and dislikes using fruit snacks.  One color represented favorite foods, another favorite places to travel, and the last one represented hobbies. 

Deep in Thought

Saturday March 12: Networking, Judging,  Painting, and Fun Times

Saturday was packed full of various activities ranging from a networking session with Ms. Wheelchair America 2016, Dr. Alette Coble-Temple to two judging sessions that were akin to a very official job interview and an advocacy session to a paint therapy session to a "Blessing Bags" experience even to a pajama party for the adults for a little stress relief before the "big" day.  It was a welcome retreat from the events of the day, especially the intense interviews with the judges.  They were nice enough and they tried to make it as relaxed as they could. It was just a lot questions to think about and process.  The question that really stumped me was, "If you had 1 minute on CNN, what would you say?" and I couldn't think of anything under pressure ;-).

The Judges

Preparing for Our Interviews

Found out I'm not much of a painter, but I still had fun doing it ;-)

The Little Miss contestants, however, are quite the artists ;-)

Filling "Blessing Bags"

We had the privilege to fill bags with hygiene items to be handed out to those in need.  Since then, I have heard that one of the bags went to a woman who came to the shelter with nothing and another went to a woman and her 3 sons who lost everything in a fire. I feel so blessed and grateful to have been a part of that as a reminder to shift the focus off of what I'm going through and, instead, think of others as more important than myself!

Sunday, March 13:  The Crowning

We also gained a future MWKS supporter that day as my niece Hannah received her crown from MWA 2016.  My nerves were so frazzled that morning I could hardly eat, but it was all worth it in the end! :-)

Family Time Before Ceremony

It Becomes Official!!!

The Royal Court

  

A Year of New Beginnings

"A Year of New Beginnings"--little did I know, when I chose this as my "theme" for 2016, just how prophetic that title would turn out to be and that's not just true for me, but for both my sisters, as we all embark on journeys that will take us to all to "new beginnings."  It all started with my journey to become Ms. Wheelchair Kansas for 2016, as I was crowned on March 13th in Topeka. Two weeks later, my youngest sister and brother-in-law, along with their two kids, headed for Chicago so that he could start a new job.  In addition, my oldest sister will be getting remarried to a wonderful guy on Mother's Day (May 8). So, as it seems, the Lord has big plans in mind for all of us this year far above anything we could ask for or imagine and I can't wait to see what else He has in store in the coming months as I take you along with me for "the ride of a lifetime!"

I will admit that I did not feel this confident in the beginning and I do still waver at times even now.  In fact, for years I was terrified to even compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Kansas because of the high level of responsibilities that I would have if I was chosen as the new titleholder.  I kept thinking that there was no way I could handle ALL those responsibilities on my own and not to mention the fact that I don't particularly enjoy speaking in public nor do I have necessary finances to support myself or the ideal transportation to make it easier to travel.  The State Coordinator, Carrie Greenwood, can testify to exactly how hard it was to convince me that I should come on as a contestant ;).  So, what's different about this year? I decided to surrender all my plans to my Lord Jesus and let Him work them out as only He can because a man's heart may plan his way, but it's the Lord who directs his steps! (Prov. 16:9).

The Lord also reminded me that I don't have to fear because He will be with me and He will strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with His righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10) and He says, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will say with the Apostle Paul, in verse 10, that I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ might be seen in me; for when I am weak, He is strong!

What I hope to accomplish throughout my reign as my reign as Ms. Wheelchair Kansas is to encourage all of you to not be afraid to show your weaknesses and to admit you need help because we are not meant to go through this life alone and to carry all of our burdens on our own shoulders.
It is OK to be weak and to depend on others for help because we all need guidance at some point!  Our weaknesses can become our greatest assets if we are willing to embrace them!

This is, undoubtedly, the greatest lesson I have learned as a person living with a disability, as it has forced me to realize just how much I cannot do on my own, in turn, it causes me to look to the ultimate Source of my strength.  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" (Philip. 4:13).

Of course, I still have many obstacles to overcome; however, I am confident that nothing is too hard for the Lord and that faith as small as a mustard seed can and will move mountains!  Furthermore, I  am blessed to now be a part of an amazing sisterhood that understands what it is like to live with a disability and who are willing to do whatever they can to assist me in this process, which I am so grateful for!!

In my next post, I will detail the adventure culminating in the infamous crowning and, yes, there WILL be photos ;-).