Closing Out 2013...! Old Things Pass Away

It's difficult to believe that 2013 is drawing to a close. For the Chadwell Family 2013 has been a year of both struggles and triumphs.  I am sure that can be said for just about everyone.  But what defines a person is the lens they view their circumstances from.

I believe God's Holy Word addresses every situation or circumstance that I am going to face in life.  It is truly an instruction manual for living.

Here's what Psalm 31:1  has to say about how we should look at life:   I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.    

I am going to close out 2013 with Praise.  And Yes, I will praise God even for my struggles because they only draw me closer to HIM.    Read Psalm 31 in its entirety HERE.  Its only 22 verses.  It contains life coaching and lots of God's promises.   There are many great stand alone verses in Psalm 34 but I am going to make that Psalm one of my first memory verses for 2014. 

Whether you have had a 'good' or 'bad' year in a few hours 2013 will be in the history books.

If you already count yourself a Christian, commit to Growing in Christ by diving into his Holy Word every day in 2014. Pray for a hunger and thirst for His Word and He will answer that prayer.   If you are not a Christian then visit 2 Cor 5:17   Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 Start the new year as a New Creation...!   If you would like to visit about this I will drop what ever I am doing and spend some time with you, on the phone or in person...! 

I'll be chronicling 2013 in future posts. but my praise report for 2013 is this:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 God loved Me, and he loved YOU so that we would have everlasting life.  If you don't have Jesus, you really don't have life at all.

CHOOSE LIFE.

Twas the night before Christmas a few years ago: Elijah, Daddy, and the Kitties were snuggled...

FLASHBACK:  Here's a fun look at Christmas a couple of years ago...   Elijah and I fell asleep on the couch snuggling.  Peepers, our cat is sleeping on top of both of us...  Luke, our other cat is asleep acting as a foot warmer...

I am wearing my famous Star Wars pajamas and it looks like Elijah is wearing an Aggie shirt of some sort and jeans.  I've got one leg slipping off the couch because Elijah and peepers are trying to establish more space.

Today: Christmas Eve  2013   I am sure looking forward to some extended 'couch time' this afternoon.   My sister is spending Christmas with us this year and I am very much excited to heave her here...  I have a morning of tennis lessons scheduled then starting around noon I will kick back into Christmas Holiday mode...!    Will definitely blog a bit later...!    Merry Christmas from the Chadwells...!

Coaches' View: The Benefit of the Doubt

Right where I was aiming...!

  It's very interesting how two people can look at the same situation and perceive two totally different outcomes.    Oh so many thoughts come to mind right now.  I am trying to teach sportsmanship to a group of young people right now.

I have to say that tennis is a great sport to use as a vehicle to teach sportsmanship.  Recreational tennis is one of the few sports that is usually played with out an official present on court.  Players must call their own lines and are on their 'honor' to make fair line calls.

A good coach will prepare his or her players to face this situation.  Players are supposed call their own lines on their side of the court. And the rule is If you aren't certain if the ball was in or out, you are supposed to give your opponent the 'benefit of the doubt' and call the ball in.

Making fair line calls and handling the pressure of competition is difficult for an 8 or 9 year old.  Sometimes its difficult for a teen or adult, too...!   I tell my players to give their opponents the benefit of the doubt on the first 'close' line call.  It's not worth an argument or disagreement as to whether the ball was on the line or not.  But if you see a blatant line bad call of six inches or more I would politely question the call, and if I experienced what I consider a third bad call then I would just ask a tournament official or coach to come over.

Parents are not supposed to become involved in the matches.  But this can be an overwhelming situation for a young person.  Coaches should prepare their players (and parents) to face difficult circumstances like this and I believe tennis is one of the best sports for character building.

Tennis teaches so many life skills.  Playing with integrity, and giving someone the benefit of the doubt are just a couple of the life skills you can learn.  Don't BE a character.  PLAY with character.  You'll be gad you did.

I try to blend a healthy dose of character building as well as technique and strategy into my coaching sessions.  I want to prepare my athletes to be able to handle themselves well on the court and in life.

My main coaching location is the Columbia Lakes Tennis Center in West Columbia, but I have satellite coaching locations in Lake Jackson, Angleton, Alvin, and League City, too.

Please check out my website for more information:  http://chadwelltennis.com 

See you on the courts,

Coach Sam Chadwell, 713-818-9109

Family Tennis Day

The Chadwells, Sam, Monica, and Elijah

I have been working diligently to transform the Columbia Lakes Tennis Center into a fun family place.   One of the foundational programs in my slate of programs is the Sunday Afternoon Family Tennis Play Day.   The Family Play Day is held twice a month on the first and third Sunday of each month.

Sunday is a 'family day' for many in this community and tennis is one the few sports that the entire family can enjoy together all at the same time, so organized family tennis time a perfect activity for this area.  My own family loves tennis so they can come to work with me on these days and it is a double bonus for me!

The Family Play Day event primarily consists of hitting, games, and match play for kids 7 years old through teen and adult players.  This program is perfect for a family of multiple ages and skill levels.  If a person is not ready to play an actual match, there is also ball machine time, and I have plenty of loaner racquets so there is no excuse to not get involved.

Because we usually have multiple families participating in this program there is always someone to match up with.  This is my favorite program because it just a laid back, fun time of families enjoying a good wholesome activity together.   Tennis is truly a sport for a life time!  The program has been very well received by the community.  On Sunday afternoons when the weather is nice we can always expect to have at least twenty to thirty participants on any given Sunday.  You should give it a try.   For more information on Family Play Day and my other programs please visit: http://chadwelltennis.com.  Hope to see you on the courts, soon! 

Frenchies Italian Restaurant

Monica and I had a chance to enjoy lunch at Frienchie's in Clear Lake yesterday.  This was the restaurant that catered our wedding back in 2003.

I was in a bit of a grumpy mood to begin the day because I was behind schedule. But the minute I stepped into Frenchie's, the owner greeted us with such a warm welcome, my bad mood completely melted.  We enjoyed a wonderful lunch while also reliving sweet memories of our wedding day.  Frankie Carmona, (the owner) kept referring to Elijah as 'the bambino' and Elijah was quite indignant about it but it sure put a smile on my face.

For lunch yesterday Monica had the Caesar Salad.  Frenchie's Caesar dressing is an old Carmona family recipe and it is AMAZING.   I had the Broccoli Rigatoni, always one of my favorites.  And Elijah enjoyed Frenchie's spaghetti.  Frankie also gave us a complimentary order of their wonderful garlic bread.  We dined later in the afternoon and had the entire restaurant to ourselves.  It was all such a wonderful experience.

I am now looking forward to another visit to Frenchie's to have the meal I enjoyed on my wedding day:  Chicken Crepes.  Yes, I will definitely come off my vegetable nutrition plan for Frenchiie's crepes...!

Mmmm...  As I compose this article, I am getting hungry, again.  And I am still feeling a glow from Frankie's warm reception and that wonderful lunch yesterday.   Frenchie's has not changed a bit in all the years I have frequented that establishment from 1989 to 2003.

 Monica and I have such fond memories of our dinner and lunch dates there. And I am glad Elijah has now enjoyed the Frenchie's experience, too.  But  he hasn't even had a chance to sample any of Frenchie's wonderful desserts, yet.  Yes, we will definitely have to plan another trip for lunch there, soon!

Six Home Schoolers Sharing One Chair...!

Poor Elijah...  He is at the bottom of the pile during a shade and water break this past spring.  But he is loving it.

This adorable group is one of my home school tennis classes that meets in Lake Jackson.  I love these precious children.  We always start each class with a prayer thanking God for our many blessings and asking him to help us honor him by doing our best and giving our highest effort for his Glory.

I have been blessed to make a living in the tennis industry as a player, coach, and club manager for over twenty-five years now.  I love impacting lives through coaching tennis.  Just one glance at this photo and you can tell how much fun we have on the tennis court.

My Lake Jackson program has recently moved  to Cornerstone Church, 3007 Hwy 332.  I have some Christmas Camps scheduled during December and am in the process of planning 2014 programs and activities now.  Deadline to register for Christmas activities is Dec 16.

Go to my website, http://chadwelltennis.com for more info on my Lakes Jackson program or phone or text me at 713-818-9109.

See you on the courts...!

Coach Sam Chadwell

See you

Best Burgers in Town: Mulligan's

Mulligan's Cheeseburger, Wow...!

Although I keep to a mostly vegetarian nutrition plan, I crave a delicious hamburger every now and then.  And whenever I am in the mood for a hamburger, there's only one place I will consider:

Mulligan's at Columbia Lakes.

Mulligans makes the best hamburgers I have ever eaten.  They are AMAZING.  I think this photo speaks for itself.

Of course, it makes a big difference when you know the people serving you.   Mulligan's is a family operation run by Jerry DeLay.  Jerry takes pride in always providing the very best food and service to his customers.  I know all the Mulligan's staff personally.  They prepare every meal as if they were making it for their own families.  They all use a very special ingredient called 'Love'.

I greatly appreciate all Jerry has done to make our local community a better place. I heartily endorse and recommend Mulligan's to everyone who visits the Columbia Lakes Tennis Center.  By the way, they serve very good pizza, too...!

I've lost 80 pounds over the past two years...

It's been quite a journey.  I weighed 175 back in 1997, the year I achieved a number one ranking in USTA Texas mens 30 and over doubles,  But by the end of 1998 my weight was in the 190's and by 1999 I was in the 200's and stayed 200 plus for the next eleven years.   I was 226 pounds on my wedding day in 2003.

At my heaviest I weighed in the 240's.   By 2010, I was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure.  The medications prescribed to me were expensive and had side effects that were worse than the conditions they were treating.

My wife researched natural remedies and we adjusted our diet to a vegan nutrition plan and the results were immediate.  Within ten days my blood pressure and blood sugar numbers were at normal levels and my weight slowly started diminishing.  By October 2012 my weight dropped below 200 pounds for the first time in thirteen years.  By October 2013 my weight had dropped to the low 160's.

Although my weight is back to 'normal', I still have to watch my nutrition.  When I stray too far from a plant based diet I can tell a huge difference in the way I feel.

My regained health is an amazing miracle.  I used to wear double X clothing and now I am wearing medium and large sizes.