ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gaylene Goodroad became interested in the martial arts after an uncle, who earned a black belt in Goju Ryu karate during a military tour in Japan, demonstrated some of his techniques. During her freshman year in college, she enrolled in Tae Kwon Do classes, but left as a novice. Eventually, with continued study of the martial arts, she obtained a second-degree brown belt in Okinawa Kenpo karate while her husband was stationed in the Army in Hawaii. After returning to the continental US, she resumed karate training, ultimately holding the rank of nidan (2nd degree) black belt in both Shotokan karate and Aikido. Gaylene not only served as a sensei in a karate dojo, but also taught self-defense classes, alongside law enforcement officers, both in the public school setting, as well as in training seminars for women. She renounced all martial arts belts following her conversion to Christianity in 1992. Gaylene graduated from the University of Minnesota, Moorhead, with a BS degree in Mass Communications in 1984. She has been married to her husband Steve, a retired military officer, for 31 years. They are the parents of two sons, both now grown.
The copy and distribution of this manuscript is encouraged—as long the content and context of the material presented is not altered and/or used for profit or without giving proper attribution.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
Revised and Expanded Edition
Published in October 2014.