Wednesday, January 7, 2009

A New Color!

As excited as I would be over a new color for a wall in my house, this new color isn't for me. This time it's for Joy, and although she does want a new look for her room, this isn't even for her bedroom. This new color is found around her waist!

Let me back up to late September a minute. A taekwondo school was coming to one of our gym days to perform a demo for our group. One of our very own members was participating. On the way that day, Joy was a little disappointed that she wasn't going to be playing with friends like a "normal gym day". I told her she would love it and that she was so young at the time, she didn't remember her brother's days of performing and competing in takewondo; but it was really interesting and lots of fun to watch. Within minutes of the demo beginning, it had completely captivated her (actually the entire gym was so quiet...watching every move). After a few more minutes into it, she leaned over to me and said, "Mom, you've GOT to sign me up for this." She's very into dance (ballet, tap & jazz), so I was very doubtful as to this fitting into our schedule (and being affordable).

Because of the flexibility of the program (which we love), we were able to get her signed up. This school is a Christ-centered martial arts system that incorporates the fruits of the Spirit. Each belt level represents a fruit...white-love, yellow-joy, orange-peace, green-patience, blue-kindness, purple-goodness, brown-faithfulness, red-gentleness, 1st to 2nd degree black-self control, 2nd to 3rd degree black-walk in truth, 3rd to 4th degree black-servant's heart, and 4th to 5th black-true discipleship.

There are no contracts - you may come as often or as little as you like (and progress at your own speed) - with the cost of a suggested donation. Every effort was made in this system to accomodate anyone interested. I think that's great!

So..Joy began the very tail end of September. She has since progressed two levels. In November, she tested for her yellow belt (joy) and moved from white to yellow.







In December, she tested for her orange belt (peace). She progressed from yellow to orange. This now makes her part of the "advanced" class.







Each level requires learning stances, kicks, punches, blocks, forms, and self defense sets. At the advanced ranks (orange belt and up), weapons training and sparring is also offered. At each level scripture memorization is required. Progression to each level requires a pre-determined amount of lessons, increasing in mumber while moving up in rank.

Taekwondo for Joy really has complemented her dance well too. Both require discipline, determination, memorization, coordination, and physical challenges. We call her our "Girly Tomboy".

The way Joy has it figured, she will go for a new color in February, green (patience). Who knew she would get so excited over a new color around her waist?

21 comments:

basketsnprims said...

Wow, Tammy, good for Joy. All of that hard work is paying off. It does take alot of discipline and patience to stick with something like this, especially for a child. I bet you are proud of her. She looks so cute.

Pam

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Good for Joy!! Jay studied that as well and it was wonderful for discipline and self control. I can see how it would complement her dance techniques - Way to go Joy!! Please tell her it excites me to see such a strong confident young lady.

Mandy said...

That's great! Don't you just love the look on their faces when they are rewarded for an accomplishment? Way to go Joy!

Blessings,
Mandy

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Oh how wonderful!
What an accomplishment-Jeepers Tammy, I'm PROUD of her too! :)
What wonderful, well-balanced children you have raised. Joy will do GREAT things with her life --She's already on that path!!

Hugs-Kath

Farmchick said...

Well good for Joy....looks fun. Our kids have talked about that but I don't think with our school and church activities we could fit another thing into our schedule! We need to stay home too (my fav place to be!!)

Janene said...

Tammy~I would like to congratulate Joy on achieving such a wonderful goal! I know you are very proud of her!
Your family is such a wonderful example of what a "family" is...togetherness!
WAY TO GO JOY!!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations to Joy. I know you must be proud.

I am looking for ideas using Ball jars over on my blog with a little giveaway included. I hope you will visit and join in.
Teresa

Another Mom on the Internet said...

Joy - Congrats! How exciting!


Tammy - She's so beautiful. I can't believe how much she's changes and grown since I've started reading your blog.

Julie said...

How great--good for Joy. She is a cutie!! Hope you have a great day. Julie

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Tammy, This is such good discipline--not to mention that Joy will be able to protect herself if she ever needs to. Sounds like a great program and I'm glad that she is doing so well.
Hugs,
Betsy

Never So Simple said...

Tammy I have missed you I was worried you had been sick. I'm glad you have just been busy.:)

Congratulations Joy! I can't wait to see new in Feb with you earning the green belt.

Donna

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I'm going to show Sydney this, she will be so interested:0 Good for Joy that she is so into this it can only do her good and such great exercise too! Love it:0
Rondell

Anonymous said...

Tammy... I'd like to also say Congratulations to Joy on her great achievement at attaining her way to each one of these different levels in Taekwondo so far! It is such an honor and she is definately doing one terrific job, for just starting out in late September! Joy looks asthough she really loves participating that's for sure! I think that is so wonderful! I love her positiveness and drive that she portrays! How very proud you all must be of Joy! I know we are so proud of her too!

Thanks for sharing!!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn/OKC

Shelley said...

What an accomplishment for Joy! You must be so proud of her!!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

don't you just love watching the 'joy' on their faces when they achieve their goals?
congrstulations-Joy!

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
WOW! She learn fast...I know you are proud of her...I am. I hope you and your family had a great Christmas and New Year! Tell Joy I'm proud of her....keep up the good work..Smiles and Hugs Kathy

Jo-Anne said...

That is VERY impressive. Good for you, Joy!
I wouldn't hesitate to mention her abilities to all the boys who will undoubtedly come to call in a few years. She is such a cutie!

Terry said...

That's fantastic Tammy! Way to go Joy!
My twins started Taekwondo when they were 11. They were very much bookwormy boys, and didn't do a lot of sports except for baseball. It taught them a lot, and really helped carry themselves in a different manner. They were teased a lot because they were so much smaller than others their age.
I know it helped them become better young men.
Terry

Tammy said...

That is awesome! I never heard of this as being presented in a Christian way and I love that!

It's late at night at the moment, but I'll have my daughter look at this post tomorrow...she's a "girly tomboy" too! :D

(By the way, she was excited to get her letter the other day and she'll be writing back soon!)
Hugs,
~Tammy

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Congrats to Joy! What a great accomplishment...she should be so proud of it!

Zaroga said...

Congratulations to Joy!
Zaroga