Two Yellows and a Green

Friday evening was spent in a (very hot) gym, watching a bunch of young karate students show what they've learned the past few months, and celebrate the changing of belt-seasons in their lives. Two of them happened to be my own.

I couldn't be more proud of these two kids, and thank God almost daily that he has given them into my care.

A boy and a girl - different as night and day - but sharing some common human experiences, that always bring me back to the core of myself.

So, I congratulate my new yellow belt and my new green belt, and am very grateful to be a part of what we've now been called - a "Two yellows and a green" (belt) family.

Feelin' Like a Girl....

Tuesday morning after my karate/MMA class, I got home and showered. As I got dressed, I found myself sort of smirking to myself as I picked out my clothes and put on my make-up. I laughed aloud at the absurdity of what I was feeling.

"I feel like a girl!", I later texted one of my friends. "I love those days" was her reply.

I smiled again and then paused as I considered my reply.

"Today, I do.... in the past, it has scared me."

Interesting.

I am sure there will be more "teaching" in this area coming soon.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying putting on my pretty blouses and feeling like a girl.

In jeans, mind you.... ALWAYS in jeans.

Kicking and Punching and Screaming

Sunday was a hard day. It would have been a wedding anniversary - I guess technically, it still is... we just don't celebrate.

Things were going fine until my turn to interpret the last part of the sermon. The pastor had been talking about Abram/Abraham and his call to leave his home. When I stood, he explained that call a little further with these words: "Forsake the past, focus on the Divine". My mentor snickered aloud.

She knew about the wedding the day before, and God's rather in-my-face presence there. She knew the significance of the present day. We both picked up on the "perfect timing" of this sermon.

My response wasn't nearly as amused. Especially after my failed errand run immediately following church.

After the wedding reception, we swung by a sports shop and picked up the kicking/punching training bag I wanted. I got it home and began to fill the base with water, when I realized it was cracked.

Our attempt to return it was in vain. They didn't have one in stock. Nor did their competition.

I planned to work some drills from my Karate/MMA class.... with the bag. I felt defeated.

I couldn't eat the feelings away, nor could I kick/punch them away.

I spent what was left of our afternoon in a minimalist mode. I had plenty to do, but no energy to do it. I elected to rest for the hour before our small group meeting that evening.

Returning home, I felt a little refreshed, and realized.... I still had my gloves. I still had the blow up punching bag I'd bought for the kids. I could focus on accuracy rather than power. So I did.

I worked some kicking drills and some punching drills. I enlisted the help of my daughter to call our random numbers between 1 and 4. With each number, I threw the punch combination that was associated with it.

I yelled and I kicked and I punched.

My daughter laughed.

It is good medicine.

Not Enough Words...

There are not enough words to describe how much I am loving karate. Oh, yes, there has been a moment in each class so far when I look around the room and wonder why we've all signed up to DO this, but it fades quickly.

I love the drills. I love to punch. I love the sore I feel afterward.

I love the fact that kids - who weren't even born the last time I did a push-up - are able to walk me through the drill that they have clearly mastered.

I love the stories about words being like nails driven into pieces of wood. Sure, they can be removed/taken back/apologized for/repented of, but the mark remains.

I love the fact that at least once throughout the class Philippians 4:13 comes to mind.

A New Lesson Plan

I attended my first adult karate class. I am terribly excited to finally be beginning this journey. For months now, I have been waiting for the official "GO!" Taking the class required some schedule manipulations and my resignation from my yoga teaching gig. It also required a willingness on my part to change.

Finally, it's time. Driving there, I ask for God to speak clearly. I have this love/hate battle going on inside as I make that request. I long for that, and yet, I know nothing remains the same after He does speak. I have heard Him speak before, sitting at the sidelines, watching my son's karate class. I hope/fear that He will speak again as I begin this journey. Deep inside, if I'm really honest, I *know* that He will.

I've sat through many of my son's classes, so I know some of the drill. I know the "new kid" stands at the back, on the end. I know how to stand at attention and in rest stance, and I know which is appropriate at certain times.

What I didn't know is that I can do a push-up. Yes, it was a "girly" push-up. But it was a push-up. Actually, closer to thirty. Some just regular, some with a punch, some raising both hands off of the ground, some tapping the opposite shoulder.

What I didn't know is how differently it feels to recite the student creed, rather than just hearing it. Something hits deep inside saying "I AM a dedicated student..."

Bring it on, God...

"I AM a dedicated student...."

Feeling Strong

I attended a womens' self defense class, which was held at my son's karate studio. It was fabulous. Loved it. I knew I would. I also knew I would feel the 'bite'.

Several years ago, I dabbled in Hapkido. Loved IT as well.

And tonight, as I left that class, I felt the same as I did those years ago. I would roundhouse kick the bag, and people would ask, "Do you feel better?" Of COURSE I did. "Yes!" I'd reply. Their next question usually had to do with anger - why or at whom was I so angry.

"Oh, I'm not angry," I said. It had nothing to do with anger - it had to do with strength and peace at my core. I stood taller, I walked straighter and felt the weight of concerns disappear for a while.

I prayed as I left, for God to be very clear, and for some doors to appear. I very much want to join the adult karate class. As it stands now, there are too many conflicts in the scheduling for it to be "right".

And then.... I hear whisperings of a door....

Now, patiently, I wait....

Bragging on my Boy

It's now about three months since my son began karate instruction. At first, I think his motivation was to be with his friend who had started a few months before. Truth be known, that was one of the Moms'-conspiracy motivations as well. They tend to have boundary issues with each other. We knew the instructor would nip their in-each-others'-space thing in the bud.

Time passed, and he soon learned that he really liked karate. I watched him day after day, learning to focus, pay attention and "shine".

He has learned his kicks, blocks and punches, but more importantly, he has learned about self-discipline, respect and perseverance. He can still be a wiggly seven year old boy at times, but watching these character qualities develop in him has been a gift. He is thoroughly engaged during the class focusing both on his skills and learning life skills as well! Watching him walk out of class, after giving the instructor a high-five, and his assistant a big hug, standing a little taller and smiling a little broader, warms my heart.

He has worked very hard during class, and he has incorporated some of these Black belt qualities at home as well. This week, perseverance has paid off. He received his yellow belt.

I am very, very proud of my son. I am also very, very grateful to God that we found this particular school. Like so many other wonderful gifts in my life, it seemingly just "appeared".

Thank You, Thank You, God.... for my children, and the path that you have us on....

Hectic Joy

I am amazed at how quickly this first full week of summer has filled up: birthday party, graduation party, Daisy Girl Scout event - on top of the usually scheduled events, primarily gymnastics, yoga and karate. Yet, as I sat on the deck letting the dog run free in the back yard, I recalled much joy in the day.

It hadn't started that way.... it had been a morning of struggles: Getting the kids bathed, the dog walked, and into the car for our first session in "The Adventure Gym". Both kids were really excited about it - the boy, for sure, and the girl hoping with all her might that she'd be able to participate as well...

We will be heading there weekly for my son's Occupational Therapy to treat his newly diagnosed sensory problems. I sat and laughed til I cried at some of the "games" he got to play. Flying through the air like superman, climbing rope ladders, shooting hoops, zip lines. It is amazing to me to see how the therapist can package his tasks into little gifts that he can't get enough of!

From there, we went to pick up his karate belt at his dad's, a quick ice cream treat, then back to the house for an hour or so before karate. See, he really needed his belt because it was stripe testing: and he earned his second stripe!!

So, there I sat, watching the dog play, with the wonderful summer breeze in my hair, recapping the day. As I said my prayers, one thing kept coming to mind: the ear to ear grins on our faces and the sound of laughter in my ears.

It was a long, hectic day - but it was filled with much joy. The sound of my children's laughter is what I will remember....