The USA Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa is underway, almost half way through and here are some pictures taken from Facebook, and several pictures by Karen Kent for Moo Do Media, thanks to all that are posting these pictures on line and keeping us updated.   ENJOY.

Above Photo courtesy of Moo Do Media/Karen Kent

SPIRIT MESSAGES AND HOW TO DO THEM:

Spirit Messages can be set to the Australian candidates testing in the Us

Dear Soo Bahk Do Members,
It's that time of year again!! The 2014 Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa, is set to start tomorrow. This is the 8-day test for rank advancement at the Ko Dan Ja level. The last day will be Friday, November 21, 2014.
In 1997, when the Cyberdojang was in its 2nd year, we started the Spirit Message program where members of the Cyberdojang [and others too!] could send out "Spirit Messages" to the Ko Dan Ja candidates and to those facilitating their experience. This will be the 18th Anniversary of the Spirit Message program.
What will happen? Messages will be forwarded daily to the venue via email during the week. They will then be printed and posted on th e wall outside the training & eating area for the participants to read. These notes bolster their spirits and harden their resolve during this very difficult and grueling experience. From personal experience and feedback, we can attest that these messages are greatly anticipated, poured over, savored & talked about and help many make it through some rough patches. We have always had great feedback. Even though most people these days have their connections to the (un)real world via smart phones & computers, this is still a valuable life-line and a way to connect with those you may not have direct access to.
The complete list of the candidates/visitors/alumni for this year will be posted by tomorrow.
If you or anyone you know is interested in sending Spirit Messages to the candidates or any or the participants PLEASE REA D THIS EMAIL CAREFULLY!
CYBERDOJANG MEMBERS: We anticipate a LARGE volume of email to be sent out. With the YahooGroups format of the Cyberdojang, we want to be sure that you members who do not wish to receive well over 100 emails over the course of a week, do not. Back in 1997, we had 105 members on the list and got 40 messages out. At this time, we have over 400 members and more people know about it. You can do the math. There may be a lot of mail. With that in mind, This may be a good time to consider temporarily changing your delivery mode from "individual emails" to "daily digest", until the week is over. We can assist you, just send a request to either me or Master Maihos (jmaihos@comcast.net).
SUBJECT LINE (important!): PLEASE take an extra moment and make sure that you put "Spirit Message" in the subject line, then subscribers can delete them if they are not interested. It also helps us to parse out these important messages from our daily email.
PERSONAL MESSAGES: If you have a message you do NOT want broadcast to the rest of the Cyberdojang, please send it privately to me at LD23279@aol.com with "Spirit Message" in the subject line. P lease be advised that the rest of the candidates and participants WILL be able to read it. They're posted on a wall.
NON-CYBERDOJANG MEMBER MESSAGES: People who are not members of the Cyberdojang (friends, spouses, family members, whoever) can send a Spirit Message too, but it has to be done differently. Here's how:
Non-members should send their messages directly to LD23279@aol.com with "Spirit Message" in the subject line. If they send it to this YahooGroups address, it will bounce into some black hole and your person will never know you sent it. Please make sure to pass this vital information on to anyone who wants to send a message but who is not subscribed the Cyberdojang.
Le t's make this the best year yet and show our support all week! Let others in your dojang and region know!

Yours in Moo Duk Kwan,
Lisa Donnelly
Cyberdojang Moderator
LD23279@aol.com

John Maihos
Cyberdojang Moderator
jmaihos@comcast.net