My sons and I were all promoted last month. The journey continues with this awesome crew.
Jiu-jitsu Days
Leadership
Isaac is taking the next step in his jiu-jitsu journey.
He’s been chosen to join a new leadership team at Elevated Studios. The older youth now have a vehicle for becoming mentors to the younger kids.
Progress
None of us expected this day to go this way.
We attended Elevated Studios adult promotions to support our mentors and training partners.
Isaac and Westen each earned a new belt and I got the first stripe on my blue belt.
Jesus Listens: Today at Elevated Studios
Renee and Stephen have been friends through a full ass decade of changes in our lives.
Now Westen is beginning his journey as an instructor and Isaac is approaching his entrance into the adult program. We are blessed to have met this wonderful couple and watching my sons grow under their tutelage has been a constant source of comfort.
Each day presents challenges and I’m grateful to have read Psalm 118:24 this morning: This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
In this season of new beginnings and the inevitable grief of the way things were, we stay grateful for this, the Lord’s day.
Work and Play
Westen started his training as a jiu-jitsu instructor today. I can’t say I’m surprised, this possibility has been in the ether for years. Still, it was wonderful to watch him take this big step in his journey.
Before his new duties began, we had a lot of play with our home education friends.
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Public Announcement
Now that I’m sporting a blue belt and a tattoo, I’ll be removing my rash guard immediately following free rolling.
Saturday is for Jiu-Jitsu
We had the pleasure of supporting our training partners at Elevated Studios during a fundraising event for the Green Beret Project in Wilmington, DE.
It Fits
My son and I were promoted in our respective jiu-jitsu journeys.
It took me a long time to earn my first colored belt. My love of soccer is as strong as ever and I split my time to the best of my abilities.
Westen is a force. Nine years of training has turned him into a technical, creative, and determined competitor…okay, he might have been born determined.
I was nervous about this promotion. With my insane number of interests, I never know if I’m putting enough into jiu-jitsu. However, when I attended class the next day, I felt like I might actually be a wearing the proper belt.
The new rank is inspiring me to find more time to train. There are higher expectations for a blue belt and I want to step up to the challenge.
We also got to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Elevated Studios. Renee and Stephen have been supportive as martial artists, friends, homeschoolers, business owners, and many other ways. We are deeply grateful for the atmosphere of learning they have built at Elevated.
Rookie Season
This year has been a parade of novice excursions: business ownership, living in a blended family, continuing my white belt journey in jiu-jitsu, and taking on goaltending as a primary position in soccer.
It’s an exciting place to be as I approach my mid 40s. New challenges are constantly arising: fixing a clothes dryer, installing a dishwasher, and various other repairs were other first-times this year.
The process is rarely comfortable and never smooth, but the results compound to make me more capable to face the next obstacle.