A few months ago I was talking to my friend and her family about how awesome it would be if I could go visit my friend in New Zealand once her semester in college had ended. At the time, I was thinking oh thats a cool idea but it will never happen. How could I possibly go across the world all by myself? Welp...guess what Nicole...never say never because look it happened!
I knew I would be fine once I landed on New Zealand territory but flying by myself across the world scared me to death. Let's be real I am a very independent person compared to most that have a physical disability but I still do need help with certain things. Like opening a tight water bottle or lifting my baggage off of the conveyor belt. How am I going to do those things all by myself. Ill tell you how by the strength of the Lord. All I did was pray for the Lord to be near me and keep me safe and the Lord provided through different individuals.
On the way there I met a lady who was on the same layover in Fiji as me. Her and I talked throughout the layover and ended up sitting by each other on the plane. She then helped me to get my baggage and navigate through customs. All without me directly asking for her help (Lord's helper #1). Praise the Lord!
Then on the way back, there was another lady who had her flight redirected the same way as mine. We discussed how amazing our vacations were and then went our separate ways when we got on the plane. My fear at the end of landing was how I was going to get my big heavy luggage off that stupid conveyor belt. Welp... there was the lady right next to me when I got to baggage claim. She got her baggage first but waited there with me to help me get mine. After 32 hours of trying to get to LAX you do not want to keep waiting but she did! Like what? Who are you? I don't know if I would do that for someone (Lord's helper #2).
Now can I just say NZ is an absolutely beautiful country. We did so many hikes because I mean it is just beautiful and well quite frankly there is nothing else to do there. Now those who know me you know that hiking is not exactly my cup of tea and I get sore after like 1 hour. But you wanna know what the amazing thing is? My friend and I hiked probably all together like 20 miles and 15 hours all together and I was never sore. How can that be? I get sore after doing yoga for one hour when I haven't done it in a while. With the help of my friend (Lord's helper #3)and the strength of the Lord I was able to not even focus on my disability but rather focus on the beauty of NZ.
It brings tears to my eyes when I think about how on this 18 day trip I felt like just a normal non-disabled person. I was able to enjoy hiking and not just complain about getting sore muscles. I was able to meet people who were so genuine and patient with me. Every time I travel the Lord gives me a gift of reassurance that I need to not worry and just trust him because he will protect and provide for me even when I am in the stage of doubt. New Zealand was a trip I never pictured would come across in my plan of life but New Zealand was an amazing addition to my journey of life and I will forever be grateful for the beautiful memories and the lessons it taught me.
I knew I would be fine once I landed on New Zealand territory but flying by myself across the world scared me to death. Let's be real I am a very independent person compared to most that have a physical disability but I still do need help with certain things. Like opening a tight water bottle or lifting my baggage off of the conveyor belt. How am I going to do those things all by myself. Ill tell you how by the strength of the Lord. All I did was pray for the Lord to be near me and keep me safe and the Lord provided through different individuals.
On the way there I met a lady who was on the same layover in Fiji as me. Her and I talked throughout the layover and ended up sitting by each other on the plane. She then helped me to get my baggage and navigate through customs. All without me directly asking for her help (Lord's helper #1). Praise the Lord!
Then on the way back, there was another lady who had her flight redirected the same way as mine. We discussed how amazing our vacations were and then went our separate ways when we got on the plane. My fear at the end of landing was how I was going to get my big heavy luggage off that stupid conveyor belt. Welp... there was the lady right next to me when I got to baggage claim. She got her baggage first but waited there with me to help me get mine. After 32 hours of trying to get to LAX you do not want to keep waiting but she did! Like what? Who are you? I don't know if I would do that for someone (Lord's helper #2).
Now can I just say NZ is an absolutely beautiful country. We did so many hikes because I mean it is just beautiful and well quite frankly there is nothing else to do there. Now those who know me you know that hiking is not exactly my cup of tea and I get sore after like 1 hour. But you wanna know what the amazing thing is? My friend and I hiked probably all together like 20 miles and 15 hours all together and I was never sore. How can that be? I get sore after doing yoga for one hour when I haven't done it in a while. With the help of my friend (Lord's helper #3)and the strength of the Lord I was able to not even focus on my disability but rather focus on the beauty of NZ.
It brings tears to my eyes when I think about how on this 18 day trip I felt like just a normal non-disabled person. I was able to enjoy hiking and not just complain about getting sore muscles. I was able to meet people who were so genuine and patient with me. Every time I travel the Lord gives me a gift of reassurance that I need to not worry and just trust him because he will protect and provide for me even when I am in the stage of doubt. New Zealand was a trip I never pictured would come across in my plan of life but New Zealand was an amazing addition to my journey of life and I will forever be grateful for the beautiful memories and the lessons it taught me.
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