Prayer is Powerful!

As I have taken new risks in my travels as Ms. Wheelchair America I have faced many fears and I have realized the power of prayer more than ever. In the book of James Chapter 5 verse 16 it says "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." I am a witness to the truth of this verse!  My experience this year has lead me to understand that if we want to be peaceful, powerful, and effective human beings than we need a covering of prayer and we need to be praying.  For a long time I have been stir crazy about the promise God spoke over my life a long time ago, that I would be an International Worship Evangelist.  It has been 16 years since this promise was implanted in my heart. I encountered the Lord in a radical way in 1998 on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University and began to get involved with a church called New Song.  At New Song I was filled with the Spirit, set free from the sin and hindrances of shame, insecurity, and self-hatred.  For about 10 years I was being mentored, discipled and trained for my calling.  But there came a time that I felt it was time that I transitioned from training to calling in 2006.  The door opened a little for me to lead worship and function in hospitality and do some local evangelism, but a messy church split closed all those doors, and I went through a time of being a wishy in the wind. When I won the crown of Ms. Wheelchair America it opened the door for my calling.  With these new opportunities to travel and impact audiences with my story I began to see my calling unfolding.  Yet my frustration grew that my home church was still not a place that I felt I could offer my gifts and talents, so I decided I would leave church and do my own thing.  I began to experience anxiety and nightmares.  One particularly bad night I asked God, what do I need to do to find peace.  He said in my spirit "Get back under the covering of prayer and leadership at church."  2 days later I met with my Pastor and re-submitted my heart to their covering.  I asked the elders to pray over my upcoming travels and they did.  Ever since I have taken this action step I can see God at work so much more in my travels and my life.  My peace has returned and I can see prayers being answered where ever I go.  I am still believing for a greater commissioning towards my calling and I anticipate great things as I wait in faith!   

Happy New Year!!

2013 was a year of immense spiritual growth in my life.  I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair  Washington in March and Ms. Wheelchair America in July.  This fast and upwards promotion in my life was both a blessing and a huge challenge.  As I began to travel around the nation, most of the time alone, I realized some very broken, depleted parts of myself.  In the midst of the joy of being promoted I also experienced severe anxiety, sleep deprivation and emotional weakness.  In this bitter sweet year I learned so much.  I dug deep into the presence of God and asked for healing and wisdom.  These are a few nuggets of wisdom that I learned this year...

TALENTS: Read the Parable of the Talents Mathew 25.  God has given each of us talents. These talents are meant to be seen and shared with the world.  As we shine, we give glory to the Father and share in His happiness.

DESTINY: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Time and again this year I have seen how God works for my good.  There were miracles big and small of happenstance, provision, and changed lives where I saw God working for my good as I walked in the purpose He has for my life.

WEAKNESS:  2 Corinthians 12:10 "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  I have never felt so weak as I did this year at times, when I was anxious or sleep deprived or lacking resources, God always provided the strength I needed.  I am learning, that as I admit my weakness and bring my needs before God, He is present and comforting.  Although I have been promoted, I must not put myself on a pedestal, for the higher I raise myself the farther I have to fall, but if i fall in a humble stance, I fall into grace.

LOVE:Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" I need love and so does everyone in the world and God has an infinite supply.  I discovered that I thought needing love was weak.  A lot of us suffer from an orphans mentality about love.  Mostly because many of us have felt withheld from in many circumstances in life,  but God does not withhold His love, He pours it out infinity.  I have began to open my needs before the Lord and in tears ask Him to meet them, and He does.

2014 holds many blessings and I have many needs in  order for them to come to pass.  So I lay them at the feet of my King, trusting that He can do far more than I cam imagine. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

My worth

As I have been preparing for the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant I have retreated away from chaos into retreat.  This has been both a miraculous and lonely place.  I have had the shackles of my heart removed.  This is a count of the things I have experienced and heard from the Lord.  Last week the sermon was about love.  1st Corinthians 13 love.  I left the sermon perplexed, frustrated and questioning.  Overall realizing that I have not really loved the Christ loves.  I am intolerant of negativity and disrespect.   I am self protective and I am lonely.  Loneliness is the open door that the devil uses to lead us into temptation. I have been drawn to temptation many times because of the pangs of loneliness.  I have a huge wave to ride and my desire is to be deemed worthy to ride it.  A couple prayer times mark my breakthrough.  I was praying about my hearts desire for a husband.  I heard "Don't settle. Ask him to fight for you. For you are worthy. " I think many women don't fight for their worth.  It is easy to allow the pangs of loneliness to make alliances with less than what we are worth, just to not feel lonely.  "Require the fire for any man who wants to hold your heart."  The other thing I have been praying about is the reason behind why I see that I am worthy of a banquet, but have seemingly only had  access to crumbs.  I heard "Jenny, you have turned crumbs to gold because you have made the most of every opportunity. You have cried out from your lowly place and you have been answered." Will you allow God turn your crumbs into gold.

Getting ready

The Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant is only 2 weeks away!!! I can't believe it!! I need an outlet to process my thoughts and get feedback and I am using this blog entry to do so.  The pivotal moment in this competition will be the final speech. Each contestant has 2 1/2 minutes to share their platform speech and convince the judges that they are the best choice to be Ms. Wheelchair America.  Here is a rough draft of my speech...

I was born with partial limbs in 1979, adopted at birth by amazing parents and raised in a small town in Western Washington. My parents had a calling to adopt children with special needs so I had 5 other siblings with special needs.  The laws that required public schools to educate students with disabilities were very fresh when I entered the public school system.  Segregation of mainstream students and disabled students was still occurring, which aggravated my parents to hired a lawyer and fight for my education. They won, which allowed me to receive a mainstream education and be included in the mainstream classes. This was both a privilege and a challenge, as I had the opportunity to get a great education, while also experiencing being teased and bullied, especially in my middle school years.  A gifting for public speaking, and performing was made apparent early on in my childhood. This passion kept me strong throughout  the challenging times of experiencing peer rejection.  When I went off to college at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington,  I had a much different experience.  I was in a very inclusive environment and got involved in campus ministry. I was surrounded by friendship, acceptance, and positivity! These new experiences empowered me and brought to life the destiny inside of me to change the world with the message, that beyond your limitations is fulfillment and life's purpose. The dream of being a public speaker and performer began to become a reality.  Through my twenties I worked and went to school studying Radio Broadcasting, and a Masters in Counseling, preparing for my career. After receiving my Master's degree I had the privilege of working as a career counselor at the Tacoma School of the Arts, which functions in the inclusion model of education.  It is here that the vision of my motivational speaking business was made a reality. In 2011 I started my motivational speaking business SHIFT and began sharing my story in schools.  This March I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington and my platform is "The Power of Words". This opened the door  to many more opportunities to reach youth with a message of acceptance and awareness.  In the three months of my reign I have spoken at over 20 events, schools, daycares, and preschools.  Many efforts are already being made to change the antiquated system of Special Education in American public schools and more needs to be done to have all schools in america switch over to this model of education. As Ms. Wheelchair America my vision would be to take  the message of "The Power of Inclusion" to the schools of America.  I would  advocate to change legislature and the laws surrounding segregation of students with disabilities to be included in mainstream classrooms with their peers. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Equity

I know it's been a while since I submitted an entry.  After being crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington my life has been a whirlwind of events.  I am so blessed!!! My business has grown exponentially, I found an author for my Children' book, and I am running for Ms. Wheelchair America in July.  With all these good things happening the sweet in my life is very sweet and the bitter has a bit more of a bite.  These successes have strained relationships in my life and I find myself feeling more alone than ever at times.  On the other hand I have gone from feeling invisible to being seen by the world.  This is very exciting and at the same time very scary!!!  Being seen means being pursued by many.  I have the tendency to say yes to anything that sounds like a good idea.  On a few occasions recently I have jumped into agreements and decisions that seemed like a good idea but ultimately leave me feeling anxiety.  Thank God for grace. Proverbs 6 says "My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor , if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said , ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbors hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea  with your neighbor, allow no sleep to your eyes. Free yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler."   I have learned that there is a way out of unwise decisions, but my goal is to tell anyone who asks something of me, that I will get back to them in 24 hours.  As I continue to pursue God's plan for my life and get more Kingdom of God equity, I need to be wise with the opportunities that have been entrusted to me, by making wise choices with my friendships, time, and activities. One thing I know is that in these decisions to follow wisdom, will be great reward.  How does this speak too you?

I am Ms. Wheelchair Washington!!!

Today was such a magical day! Including a magical bathroom! I know that sounds funny, but it's true.  getting to the pageant was stressful. We got lost 8 miles in wrong direction which was stressful and my fault for not printing out the directions.  So, when I got there I was stressed. But I really needed to use the bathroom. So, I go into the ladies room and there is a ceiling speaker blaring the song, "You Are So Beautiful too Me."  I felt that heaven was serenading me.  So, first, I went into the initial interviews with the judges.  That went well, as the judges were people I connected with and comfortably shared my story and vision in being Ms. Wheelchair Wa.  Following the interviews was a short break before the speeches and questioning from the judges in front of the crowd . Again, I went too the bathroom!  The song "Hero" was playing, by Mariah Carey, which is one of my all-time favorite songs!  It really ministered too me and inspired me.  Right before my speech I found a quiet place where I could connect with the Lord alone.  I gave Him my fear and received empowerment by the Holy Spirit.  When I did my speech, my heart was pounding, but everything came out elaquently. MIRACLE!!  After I received the crown, a joy like I have never known came over me!!  Then, miracles started to happen! I made connections with a man named Marty, who knows a publisher he can connect me with to help publish my childrens' book. I met the owner of kersey mobility, who wants to help me with the process of getting a modified van. And I connected with women who do make up and hair and offered their services to me. I also connected with several other prominent  public speakers.  What a miraculous day!!  am so excited for what this year holds! Praise the Lord!!!

Children's book

I am writing a children's book to compliment my "Power of Words" presentations.  Here is y rough draft. Please give me feedback!

Children’s book

 Title: Words Have Power

(Not illustrated, pics of me and real people.)

Hello, my name is Jennifer Lynn Adams.

I was born with missing limbs. (Pic  of me as a baby.)

I grew up in a big family. (pic of my family)

In a small town. (Pic of small town)

I use a wheelchair to get from place to place.  (pic of me in my wheelchair)

When I am at home I move around outside of my wheelchair. (pics of me at home)

When I was a kid, other kids would tease me because I looked different.

Being teased hurt my feelings and made me scared to go to school (sad face pic)

When I grew up and went to college (pic at PLU)

I made friends who spoke kind and true words to me.  (Pic of college friends)

They said “You are beautiful.”  “You’re life has purpose.” “Your story will change lives.”

Their kind words and friendship took away the hurtful words said to me in school and made me happy to be me! (happy pic)

WORDS HAVE POWER! (Full page)

POWER TO BULID UP! (pic build up)

 OR TEAR DOWN! (tear down pic)

Your good words and kind actions are POWERFUL!

The same way my friends help me, you can help others be happy too!!

Your WORDS HAVE POWER!

Start now! (pic starting line)

Watch the power of your good words and actions

Build up other’s around you! (pic of happy kids)

Say it out loud!

“I will use my words to build others up!” “I will use my actions to help others around me!.”

WORDS HAVE POWER!!

The end