Okay so maybe I'm not so good at this whole blogging thing, but here is my end of semester update. This semester was the most insane, crazy, wonderful semester yet (not that there have been that many). I made the Texas State Strutters and it has been so fun to be on a drill team again. Although their technique is completely different from high school drill team it has been a challenge and enjoyable.

Some of my DZ sisters that are also Strutters

The beginning of the year ended up being way more busy than previously expected. During rush work week I got mono (not from kissing!) however I was bad and didn't take the time to just rest so of course it took forever to get over. Rush was actually a very challenging experience for me. During summer I had been working so hard on both my faith and living my life through Christ 100%, and I found it hard in that kind of environment. However once we got our WONDERFUL pledge class things started getting a lot better. Since it is my second year we are asked to take littles and give back to the Chapter and boy did God give me a wonderful gift in this experience. I found a little who is pretty much exactly like me in every single way. She is a complete goof and doesn't like to go out a lot. She has grown to be one of my best friends this semester and seeing her excitement and love for DZ reminds me of why I fell in love with my chapter last year. Oh yea,and she is a better student than me and makes me study all the time...Daddy should like that one :) Her name is Sarah Whitley...of course this led to the nicknames Big Whit/Lil Whit :p

Typical big/lil pose. This was the night of big/lil reveal

Blurry but my entire family...biggest one in the chapter

As this semester comes to an end I look forward to an incredible break and my next semester at Texas State. In the past few weeks I have been challenged in my faith greatly. My paster, Matt Chandler, had a small mass in his frontal lobe and recently gotten it removed. Throughout everything I have been really focusing on the idea that we are only here to do the Lord's work and everything else is secondary. I encourage everyone to watch the video that Matt taped a few days before his surgery. I have watched it numerous times and each time I understand the message he is sharing with us more. Everyone who knows me well knows I am crazy about my family, boyfriend, friends, and sorority, but I am learning that NONE of that is better than the Lord. This isn't anything new to me but for the first time I am fully understanding it. The Lord knows me well and knows that I am SLOWLY learning to read my Bible so he has chosen to speak to me through two songs this week.

The first one is by Brooke Fraser called Shadowfeet. My favorite dancer on SYTYCD did her solo to it this week. I have heard it many times before but never knew the title but since Tuesday I can't stop listening to it. The lyrics of the chorus are what I have been praying every night.

when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Another song by Carrie Underwood my best friend Morgan shared with me a few days ago. I have always been a fan of songs that have a small hidden Christian message and this one is by far the best yet.

This is our temporary home
It’s not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we’re passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where we’re going
I’m not afraid because I know
This is our temporary home

Both of these songs just remind me to not focus on the things of this world for they are so much smaller than the Lord. I know my purpose here, I know I have been called to serve the Lord and share His wonderful Word. Although I haven't been faithful and I have been disobedient I am taking this break to focus on where I need to be. I hope that you will all pray for me and my walk because in college it is probably the hardest thing to stay strong in.

I hope that everyone has a WONDERFUL Christmas season and I will put it on my New Year's Resolutions to get better with this blog thing. I'll end this post with a few more pictures of the semester. Hope you enjoy

Kyle's first DZ event (Formal) The first night was Famous Couples bowling...Kyle's idea for a CHEAP costume...A-Rod and Steroids Yes, his sense of humor is one of my favorite things about him.

He got to come to see my last field performance of the season!

Gorgeous Little at her first Formal

My big who has been my role model at Texas State.

Big doesn't have the best picture taking skills...But here we are all dressed up!
I'm very blessed to have this man in my life. He is an amazing listener, pushes me to be a better
person, and makes me laugh harder than anyone (besides Daddy)

Love in Christ
-Rachael