This is the 67th edition and 1st  issue this year of the Dojo’s newsletter.

January 2009 is here and so is the snow. I wish every one  a Happy New Year. I’m not big on new year resolutions. It is to easy to make them and then let them go by the way side. I am all about setting goals for the new year and working on them until they are complete. So with that said have you made your new year goals yet? Now on to the news.

December was a crazy month here at the dojo. The schedule was a mess with all the holidays and everyone running around trying to get ready for them. I’m just glad that the Holiday season only comes once a year. With all the craziness behind us I want to let everyone know that we are back to our normal class schedule.

To everyone who helped with the Toys-for-Tot’s toy drive I give you my heart felt thank you. We donated 6 big boxes of toys for the needy. This is a new school record. Although we did fall short of the 10 boxes for no push ups, we did make a difference in many lives and we should all be proud of that.
 
This month we will be holding a family hand pad seminar. This seminar is different than our usual 3rd Saturday night event. The hand pad seminar is for students and parents. This is a great opportunity for parents to get involved in their kids Kempo training. We will show you how to coach and hold the pads using the same techniques that the Sensei’s use.  Don’t miss this chance to spend more time with your child working on something very important (their future) sign up now space is limited and we need to order  the hand pads so you can take them home after the seminar.

Over the past month we have seen something new in the dojo. A lot of students are forgetting their Gi’s or part of it. I want to remind every student that it is your responsibility to have all of your gear with you every time you come to class and not your parents. I suggest that you make sure your gear is ready to go the night before and that you always keep your gear together in one place.

With the new year here and everyone setting goals . May I make a suggestion  for one of them?  How about setting a goal to practice your Kempo at least 2 times a week for 20 minutes on days that you don’t have class? This will make you a better Martial Artist  and you will move up the ranks quicker if you do.

I know that that this year will be the best year we have ever had at the Dojo. I am looking forward to the challenges and rewards that this year will bring. With that in mind I want to leave you with this quote that Sensei Brian told me that he heard from someone who’s name escapes me. I think it is perfect for our students and it goes like this: “I never said training would be easy, but in the end it will be worth it”. It goes along  with what I say all the time “if it was easy, then everyone would do it and it would be worthless”

Strength and Honor
Sensei Craig