CONGRATS BUD!

Today Josh tested for his 5th degree blackbelt...and now stands with an elite group of men and women in the HTF able to have the title of master of Taekwondo. He stood with his mentors and those that trained him.

He declared him self ready to earn his next rank He did his forms

one steps

sparing and board breaks at 3 stations

I have cried at one of Josh's testings, he had the color belt rank of Brown belt, when he did not break his boards. It killed me to see him not complete something he had worked so hard at and then have to wait for the next advancement testing to try again

and I have cried at a couple tournaments when he was hurt.

But, today I cried as I watched my son soaked with sweat...shaking from exhaustion...and near tears too. When Grand Master Jack Pierce announced "Mr. Burgess you passed"

Josh there are no words to tell you how much I love you or how proud I am of you today.I remember you as a white belt saying "if I do all of my testings I will be a 5th degree blackbelt when I am in my 20's...that is a long time, but I want to be a Master in Taekwondo someday."

Today is that day!

I love your:

Courtesy

Integrity

Perseverance

Self- Control

Indomitable Spirit

and your dedication to those you love and your love of Taekwondo. Your family, friends and your Taekwondo students are lucky to have you in their lives.

I love you bud...~MOM

Josh has to wait a year to be called "Master"...but he has earned it!