here I go asking anyway. I am testing Saturday for my black belt in Taekwondo, and as a 44 year old middle-aged, graying, overweight, less than healthy mother of 3 little ones, I'm really, really nervous. I have felt a pulling to finish, to not give up, and even despite all the insanity our instructor has put us through in the last 6 months, I'm determined to finish the test. Our instructor decided to quit at the end of this YMCA session, leaving me, my husband who is almost at black, my daughter who is a recommended black belt (can't test until September), and my 2 sons who are also almost black belts out in the cold. We could go with her to another school and start over at white belt, but we've been through so many changes with her in the past 3 years, that I don't feel it's right to tell my family that the last 3 years meant nothing.

Here's why I need prayer - My husband really wants me to take over the TKD school at the Y so we can all finish with the same style of TKD we've been training in. Although I'm an assistant instructor, I would need to pass the instructor exam along with my BB test. (I just found out about all of this in the last few weeks) The head of our national organization is coming to stay with me the weekend of the test, and I want to be sure that everything is just right.

I know it's in God's hands, but I have so many doubts and really just want it all to be over, but I know that would be teaching my kids defeatism. I also know I can do nothing without God's help, and I just need the extra few measures of courage that I don't seem able to drum up right now. I am feeling so beaten down about all of this (for far more reasons than I can go into right now - God knows what they all are), and I need strength and peace in my heart to get through the next week.

Thanks for listening
~mkmw

Thank you so much CB! Those verses have always brought comfort to me, and I appreciated reading them today!

Bless you!!

WOW!  I know I am new but that is the coolest thing I have read!  You are 44 and doing your blackbelt testing, you are my hero!    You have inspired me to get active.  I am 43 and inactive, I just  never seem to find the time to get out and exercise.  You've got courage and determination!  You can do this!

I will keep you in my thoughts on Saturday and Good luck!

Snicks

Thinking of you right now when you are out there kicking butt!! 

You are an inspiration -- thank you for sharing.

Well, I didn't get the official word yet, but I believe I did pass!! I'll update my ticker when it's official. We are definitely taking over the school, and after this past weekend, I feel 1000% better about the fact that we will be doing this. Acceptance is a strange thing. Once you think you've accepted what you're doing, life takes new twists and turns and leads to more and more adventures. This will be a good thing, and we've already started our planning!

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!
  for everyone!