Her First Graduation

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come

As a "victim" of the vid-19 (like everyone else) this girl did not get a high school graduation ceremony. Today was her first. We are proud of her hard work, great grades, multiple interests, overcoming obstacles and fighting to finish strong.

This last semester was a rough one, rehabbing from ACL surgery and struggling to figure out what her future would bring. Time and time again God meets us right where we are. I hope she knows she can do hard things because God has given her great strength. Reagan can meet a challenge and turn it into good. I'm not sure that she is sold on that message yet, but I know it to be absolutely true...every time.

 After graduation Reagan will begin a master's program in Nutrition and Exercise Science and play her 5th year with the soccer team. We look forward to seeing #7 on the pitch once again. The healing path continues but Reagan thrives in competition, she will do well!

Mom and Dad with the Grad

Liv and Regs

Joe, Emma and Willow were there in spirit

I really thought we would retake this picture but it didn't happen. Dang. 

Uncle Rodger and Aunt Laura got up at 4:30am to make it to Lincoln in time for 9am graduation. Now that is dedication. So good to have their support. 

Funny note, Laura is a nursing instructor at UMKC in Kansas City. About half way through our brunch today, Riss' older sister said, "Hey Reagan, your aunt was my sim-lab instructor during nursing school." What a small world. Amber is now a nurse in North Carolina so I guess Laura did a good job preparing her for working in the field. 

Family and friends celebrating our two favorite graduates

Reagan and Riss became teammates and best friends within days of meeting each other back in January of 2020. I am thankful that their friendship brought this whole group together. Ben and Christine are lovely people, too bad we didn't get to know them sooner. 

And then below is one of my chalkboard creations. It's just a fun thing I like to do.

However, it was raining so didn't even take it to brunch today.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

She’s Comin’ Back

 

It’s been 6 mo since Dr. Claire repaired Reagan‘s ACL in the Operating room. This is not an easy journey! With any surgery there’s pain, swelling, loss of strength, loss of normal activities, but for an athlete such as my daughter, this surgery also represents potentially losing your dream and sitting on the sidelines for your entire senior soccer season. The emotional toil is tremendous. 

It's December and she will be graduating in just a couple weeks with a BS in Nutrition and Exercise Health Science. In just the last few weeks Reagan has decided to stay for her 5th year at Nebraska. This will allow her to start her master's degree while under scholarship and get back on the pitch. As long as I can remember, Reagan's dream has been set beyond college soccer, she has wanted to play in the pros. Going back one more year will give her the chance to complete her ACL rehab and show the world that SHE IS BACK!!! 

This young woman has dealt with some true trials over the last few years but it is in the fire that we are refined. She will come through this better than she was before. God doesn't leave us alone in our dark days, He is right there to help us, grow us and strengthen us. God is good all the time.

I for one am looking forward to cheering on my favorite Husker for one more year. 

GO BIG RED!!!

Senior Day Husker style

 

How has four years flown by so quickly? 

Selfishly, I want one more year of you representing the scarlet and cream. This hasn’t been the senior year we all hoped for but one day we will look back on this season and see how you have grown and we all will understand the blessing of these challenges. 

Your decorated locker

Eleanor Dale, UK

Reagan Raabe 

Marissa Popoola, Ks

Audra Clark, Tx

Reagan’s buddy Will Stoneburner

Love the HS graduation picture 

Reagan your impact both on and off the field has been tremendous. We are proud of your 4 years as a Husker soccer player. GBR

Now what’s next? 

Senior Husker Soccer Media Day

She looks like she's about to take you down

These girls have been besties since freshman year

Gwen Lane

Marissa Poppola

Audra Clark

Reagan

Riss, Reagan & Jordan Zade

I just love the unbridled joy on their faces

Buzzy is Reagan's ACL buddy

I guess this is the bicycle.

Not sure about this but they are having a blast!

2 seniors, a sophomore and a freshman

Ella Guyett, Abby Vacek, Reagan and Riss

Oh how I wish this girl was going to be taking her place on the pitch this fall but I have complete faith in the work God is doing in her life. We are shaped in the trials of life.

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Here's another one I love...

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

 Romans 5:3-5

 

Husker Soccer goes to Iceland 🇮🇸

These ladies traveled to Iceland May 21-31, 2023

They saw all the site, ate great good, played (and WON) 4 games and had the time of their lives. What a special trip! 

My pictures are in reverse order, the blue lagoon was the last day. 

Reagan and Katie Stoneburber at the Blue Lagoon

At the waterfalls

Reagan and Roommate Riss Popoola

Abbey and Reagan

It was unseasonably chilly for the Huskers, in the mid 40s, cloudy and very windy the entire trip

The ferry ride was canceled the second day due to extremely high winds. 

Reagan and Canadian Flo B

The ACL buddies 

Reagan and Lauren Buzzel

Roommate Abbey Schwarz and Reagan

Maggie Altman from San Fran and Reagan

In May Iceland gets a total of 3-4 hours of darkness per day

Rehab buddies…even when traveling

The 3 injured girls

Katie had foot surgery

Buzzy had ACL surgery

Reagan will have ACL surgery when home from Iceland

Attending one of 2 professional games

My life 360 map

Reagan and roommate Sarah Weber

Katie Stoneburner documented the trip through her camera lens and then put together this video. This will be a trip of a lifetime for these girls

https://youtu.be/LKCni5Fmt6o

Husker soccer brought a media team along and this is their video…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cthyd16NnAo/?igshid=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

❤️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️❤️

Penn State Tackle Ended Her Season

She made it to the second to the last game of the season with only 4 minutes of a 90 minute contest left on the clock. The Huskers were leading a very good Penn State team when Reagan had a breakaway. The frustrated (Canadian) Nittany Lion, just as competitive as our #7, was determined to stop Reagan...she did. The tackle came in exceptionally hard as Reagan was striking the ball. Her foot stopped abruptly while her knee continued on resulting in a torn MCL. Devastating yes, but it could have and should have been so much worse. Watch the video below

(sound on)

I am so thankful for NWSL's KC Current player and ex-Husker Jaycie Johnson

Due to another knee injury for Jaycie, she was at our last home game. As the team was celebrating a HUGE win, this previous Husker sat on the field with my girl to comfort and encourage her. I hugged Regs and prayed with her but Jaycie knew all the right things to say as a player to a player.

Teammates (Riss & Sydney pictured) are the best!

That night we left Reagan in the good hands of her roommates. I offered to spend the night not knowing what her physical or mental pain would be that night. My girl is strong, she told me I could go home and come back in the morning for the MRI. As I struggled to fall asleep I prayed for God to be with Reags and give her peace. 

This view makes this mama's heart hurt

Twelve hours later we were at the stadium getting an MRI of her right knee (same one she tore up 5 years ago). What completely surprised me was Reagan's state of mind. She was in good spirits and confident she had not torn her ACL. This kid had the peace that passes all understanding. Where was my faith? That is exactly what I had prayed for and God delivered! Dr Claire, the university surgeon called about 5 hours later. Reagan was right, just the MCL was injured and no surgery was required but her season was over. Recovery is 2 months.

Again, we know God uses all things for good. Our favorite Husker spent the rest of the season leading her team from the sidelines and preparing for a great comeback. She has 3 weeks of rehab under her belt and has already run a few times. She'll be back before we know it, stronger than ever. I look forward to watching him work in and through Reagan. God Is Good!

 

Same game but before the injury. She really is an amazing soccer player!!