Drake's Emily Raecker

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Name: Emily Raecker

Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa

School: Drake University

Sport: Cheerleading

Favorite Bible verse:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34

Chosen Attribute: Patience which I think is waiting for things to come without frustration or anxiety.

What are some of your favorite quotes from other people about this word?

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world. – Helen Keller

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do no lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew. – Francis de Sales

What is your favorite Biblical passage that deals with this characteristic?

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patent toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Why did you choose that particular passage?

God’s promise to us of eternal life is something that we need to wait for with excitement and patience.  I find this passage comforting when I feel that I am becoming impatient with things going on in life and I need to ground myself with the Lord.

Please give an application/example of this word in your life.

I studied abroad in Uganda and I have spent a lot of time working with an artist there on furthering his business.  I have learned that it takes him longer to pick up on things as they relate to his business, so I have to step back and wait with patience while he comprehends what is expected of him.

How do you apply this word in your sport?

In cheerleading you must be able to work well with others, especially when you are throwing people in the air.  I have learned that it is beneficial when people are patient when I am learning something I have never done before.  I work hard to be patient with the younger girls when they are picking up on different stunts.

How did you first become involved in FCA?

My high school had a very active FCA so I joined when I was in 9^th grade.

How active within FCA were/are you?

I have been in FCA since the beginning of high school and plan to continue through with it throughout college.  I love the sense of community that has been established with the Drake University FCA group.

How has God impacted you through FCA? 

God has impacted me with the sense of community that has been established at Drake in FCA.  After our meetings, I feel refreshed and closer to God.  No matter what happened in my day that day after those meetings I feel ready to be a warrior for God throughout the next week.

A tip that helps you be a Christ-like competitor:

Think of others. My sport is very much a group sport where everyone has to work together to achieve success.  If I am thinking of others, I can help those who are struggling.

Drake's Ryan Cook

Ryan Cook’s Story – Things Happen for a Reason!

In high school, Ryan Cook was a big basketball player.  His goal was to play college basketball at a school in his native state of Colorado.  His junior year he decided to join the track team to stay in shape for basketball, nothing more than that.  By the end of that season; however, he was crowned the Colorado state champion high jumper.  Everything was going great!

            A few games into his senior basketball season Ryan broke his wrist and missed the rest of the season.  Missing the rest of the season meant missing out on that basketball scholarship he wanted so badly.  He found a way to move on and continue into his last season of track.  As a result of his focus and success, he was invited to come to Iowa to attend Drake University and join the track team as a high jumper.  “I was able to come to Drake and come to a great academic school as well as be a student athlete under two great Godly coaches (Natasha and Brian Brown).”  Ryan is so thankful and happy where he is at now and has a very positive outlook on what happened to him.

During his senior year in high school he met a PE teacher who was also a football and basketball coach.  This coach was 25 years old and played with the San Francisco 49ers for a preseason. “He is possibly the most Godly man I have ever met.  He became my mentor and helped me get through many things including my broken wrist for basketball and just understanding God better.  Through FCA I got close with him and two of my best friends and ultimately closer to God.  FCA has really helped shape me into the man I am today through the people that were involved.”

            “I guess for me after breaking my wrist and having the most depressing time of my life to be able to see God working to open some other door that I would not have gone through if he hadn’t shut the other door is just amazing to see.  How everything always works for the better when God's in control.  He was the only reason I was able to get through that hard time and in the end I went to the best possible place for me in college.”

            Next time you are going through a rough time, remember to keep your faith and remember God has a plan for you.  Everything happens for a reason!