Thankful for Beans and Cornbread

We are entering into the Holiday Season. I'm starting to feel a little more sentimental than normal.

Do you know what I had for breakfast this morning...? Beans and cornbread. Ah yes, the old cowboy breakfast. When I was born my family lived out in the country in Refugio, Texas. And when I was little, I remember wanting to be a cowboy when I grew up.

Of course, mom obliged me and wold buy me little cowboy and indian figures, and toy cap gun six shooters... And I remember the first time she cooked me a cowboy breakfast. I was really little but I can still remember thinking how good cowboys had it to be able to eat beans and cornbread for breakfast.

My mom was an excellent cook back in those days. And she made an exceptional pan of cornbread and her beans were still to this day the best I've ever had.

I am thankful for those memories. I'm thankful for my mom who cared about me and loved me very much. She taught me how to cook beans and cornbread and I can still enjoy them for breakfast today...!

Now I'm looking forward to making special memories with Monica, Elijah, and Connor.

I'm going to the grocery store this morning to get some Dr Peppers for tennis camp. I think we've already purchased everything we need for our thanksgiving meal. I do not want to have to go to the store on Wednesday or Thursday...!

Well, that's about it. I'm going to try to write more about my growing up, because I think that's really what this blog should be about. I hate it when i just get into a mode of reporting what's on my schedule for the day... (although many do find it helpful to be able to keep up with me...)

Bye for now.... -Coach Sam

Th life of Hobbes...

I snapped this photo of Hobbes a few days ago as I was learning how our new digital camera worked. The past few nights we've made Hobbes sleep in the garage because he keeps waking us up wanting to go in and out...! It's been nice sleeping through the night without interruption...

I've got a nice full week ahead. I have a tennis camp scheduled Monday and Tuesday and a one day fun tournament on Wednesday.

Thursday I'm smoking a Turkey on the grill and taking a nice, quiet day off with the family. Connor will be gone to Missouri so it will just be Monica, Elijah, and the kitties for dinner.

I had to post pone my knee surgery at the last minute this past Wednesday but the new surgery is now scheduled for Wednesday, November 6.

That's about it.... I want to update all my blogs this morning so I'd better close here... Be sure to check out Elijah's blog the next few days... I'm about to post some really cute photos of him...

Daddy's Little Assistant...!

Elijah's at the stage where he likes to 'help'... In this photo he's helping me ice my knee down...

I have surgery tomorrow at 1 PM... Today I'm scrambling around trying to get a bunch of projects completed because I won't get much done tomorrow, that's for sure...! And I'm not sure how well I'll feel on Thursday, either....

That's about it... Just another administrative day for Coach Sam....

Coach Sam and Jim Courier

Being the Executive Director of the Houston Professional Tennis Association does have a few percs... Occasionally I get an opportunity to spend time with Tennis Greats like former number one player in the world, Jim Courier...

That was the case this past weekend, as I helped organize volunteers for special events associated with the Stanford Cup Legends Tournament. The Stanford Cup is a Senior Tour of former top pros including Courier, John McEnroe, Pat Cash, and a host of others.

I was fighting the flu all weekend but it was worth it to hang out with Tennis Pros whom I admire and respect very much...! I attended some great matches this weekend and had the opportunity to organize a group juniors and adults from my club to enjoy the festivities as well.

Today I'm staying at home resting up from the weekend and preparing for my knee surgery this Wednesday. More later...

Coach Sam

God, Will You Still Bless America..?

"In The Old testament of the Bible, God is shown time after time chastising the House of Israel, His chosen but often disobedient people, by allowing barbarians to invade and plunder their cities and put many of them to the sword.

That is what the Western world, including America, is starting to experience today, likewise having turned away from God...."

These are the thoughts and perspectives of David Kupelian, author. I was reading an article of his in a magazine called 'Whistle Blower'. His article sort of echos Dr Stanley's sermon this past Sunday.

America is drifting farther and farther away from God. There is a spiritual vacuum that is beginning to take over both America and Europe. I can see the vacuum everywhere, especially in the lives of youth.

What is the answer to the burgeoning threat of Islamic Jihad...?

According to Kupelian: 'The simple and bottom-line answer is that there is no answer unless America finally awakens and gives up it's insane rebellion against it's own founding faith and values.'

I tend to agree with his position.

Today I pray for the future of this country. Today I pray for me.


Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, You have blessed America so greatly. Truly, we have been set apart for a time it seems, as the greatest country in the world. But how much longer is that going to last...? Sadly, many Americans have turned from You. And even more disappointing than that is that many more Americans living now have never even known you.

Father God, I must confess that I have trouble following you all day long in a 24 hour period. Many times, especially lately I have given in to anger and 'bad thoughts' in my thought life.

I'm truly, sincerely, sorry, Lord. I know that it's for those exact sins that You suffered and died.

There are warning signs all around us. -Atleast that's what my conscience tells me. And I want to come clean and follow You completely, my King. Help me to get right with You and help me to help those around me.

What can I do to help myself...? I can Surrender to You, and I do that right here and now.

What can I do to help America...? I can live a truly authentic, Christian life myself, and I can make a difference in / and influence one additional life at a time, starting right here in my own family with my wife raising up Elijah and Connor to be young men after your own heart.

Lord Jesus, I stand in the gap for America this morning. I'm going to fill that void with a Godly family and work outward from there until You call me home.

I love You Lord.... I love my family.... And I Love America....

I give this day to You, Father. In Your Honor. For Your Praise and Glory. And I pray these things in the power of Jesus' name, Amen.