October 23-28

The Spotlight this week is on Luke for earning his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.  We are so very proud of him. Here he is with Spencer before heading off to the test this morning.  He was a bundle of nerves, and he hadn't been feeling well so it was a little stressful for him.  

 

 Here are some shots during his test.  I am still not very professional on my camera but I am learning.  You can at least see by the blurry arms that he is moving quickly. 

It was a grueling test, to be honest.  Everyone that tested today was thoroughly grilled by Master Goonan.  He has been practicing TKD for 45 years, and is very serious. This guy has a long gray ponytail, is over 6 feet tall, and is like a 9th degree blackbelt.  He also is missing the top portion of his fingers on his right hand which makes him even cooler or scary-- however you choose to see it!  The Dojo used to have to fly him in from Georgia to test when we have black or brown belts testing.  The owner of our dojo has his 3rd degree black belt, so he cannot test black or brown belts.  Master Goonan recently moved to Layton, so he is closer and can more easily come up for tests.  

Spencer and his friend Ty from his old school at Lewiston Elem. 

Here is Luke warming up.  The pictures are a little out of order.  There are some really great kids there.  A group of few kids from Newton and Clarkston have been coming for years.  Luke and Spencer aren't quite in their class yet, but they get to hang out with them at testing. 

One more shot of him doing one of his forms.  

Yay! He got his yellow belt.  The parents whose children were testing for another level of brown belt looked very relieved when they were done.  The higher up you move, the harder the test and the more expensive it is.  If you don't pass, then you have to pay the fee all over again so it is crazy.  I haven't seen anyone not pass yet.  Mr. Cannell usually doesn't let anyone test who is not ready. Luke's biggest frustration is that he didn't do everything perfectly.  Master Goonan said he needed to work on his sparring (he said that to everyone today) and he told him he is going to great in TKD and not to quit.   

All the kids who tested, plus the black belts in the dojo.  

There are so many great things that the boys are learning.  They are learning to get along with a lot of different personalities and backgrounds there.  Spencer's confidence has shot up and so has Luke's.  They are learning to be focused and to use self-control. They learn that controlling their mind and their thoughts guide and direct their actions.  As hard as it is, they are learning that they will always mess up and have to continue to work on things.  It is nice to be somewhere where the leaders expect respect and they have to say "yes sir" to their teacher.  One little boy was reprimanded today for talking back to Master Goonan-- and quite frankly he needed it. It drives me crazy how many kids talk back now days and how unfocused some kids are-- especially younger kids.  You almost expect that a little from teens, but little kids are so much more mouthy.  Those kids had to stand at attention the whole time Master Goonan talked to them.  It was a long morning.  They started at 10 and then we ended at 1 and had a potluck dinner.  We are now at home, writing talks (Sammy) and getting lessons ready.  

Rich was at a meeting all morning for Bishops.  Elder Oaks came to speak to them.  He said it was really great.  I haven't had a chance to talk to him, and he will be going to a football game with his dad later tonight.  Hopefully I will actually have a chance to work on my lesson-- only if the kids go to bed.  It is easier to type a blog than focus on a trying to write a lesson because the kids keep needed me for one thing or another!! ARGH!