Night Tennis with Elijah

Every now and then Elijah talks me into a late night tennis lesson.  A few nights ago was just such an occasion and we ended up having our longest rally ever: 98 consecutive shots...!  That was a really special moment!

I live for special moments like this...!  Next time we go out there we are determined to hit 100 or more.  

OK...  It's been way too long since I posted.  Going to try to get back on a routine starting this morning...!

The last time I posted was in February.   March and April have been an absolute BLURR...

I accepted an employment offer at Bay Area Racquet Club.  I have closed down my Columbia Lakes operation.  The past two months have been spent trying to transition from working mostly in and around Brazoria county to Clear Lake.

I am on the road a lot more, but my family has traveled with me a bit so it hasn't been too bad.  Still, it has been quite an adjustment getting used to a new schedule and new routines.

Lots to report:

My nephew, (Joey) has moved in with us.  He's about to start employment at the Columbia Lakes Country Club restaurant. 

I am very busy wrapping up a season of Flextennis. and getting ready for the summer.

Trying to stay tuned in to the Word of God every day.

Just got the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone, but I am not smart enough to really know how to use it right now, but eventually it will enable me to have a much more functional mobile office on the road!

This photo was taken by Elijah on my Galaxy 3.

Elijah (8 years old) feels more comfortable using my phone than I do...  He's already showed me alot...!

Well, that's it for now.   More News Soon...!

Fried Eggplant Part 2

2nd attempt at fried eggplant.  Made fried squash, too.

Last month I made fried eggplant and everyone loved it.  Today I tried it again and tweaked my batter recipe.  I also made some fried squash because Elijah thought some of the eggplant was too spicy.

My new batter breading included a combination of flour, bread crumbs, crushed fried onions, Italian spices, and basil.   I double dipped the eggplant and squash for a little bit thicker batter.  I must say I really enjoyed my handy-work.    No complaints from Monica, Connor, or Elijah, either.

Next time I may try onion rings, or fried spinach.

Post Tournament Photo

Here's what I looked like after the Rice - Texas match and my tournament this weekend...

It was a fun and busy Friday and Saturday.  I organized a group to go watch a college tennis match in Houston Friday evening.  That was was a great experience.  But then I hosted a high school invitational tennis tournament at Columbia Lakes Saturday morning and got up at 3:30 AM to start preparing for my day.  The weather was amazing.  The tournament went great.  We were done by early afternoon.

I took Connor and Elijah for a delicious lunch at Lucy's in West Columbia, then puppy Goliath and I were  ready for some SERIOUS 'couch time'.   After a short nap I was as good as new.

The sun is out and it is a gorgeous Sunday...  Ready for church then some more tennis this afternoon...!

Life is Good.  Wishing everyone a wonderful day in Jesus Christ, our Lord and SAVIOR!

~ Coach Sam  Chadwell

Fun Baseball Story -Precious Childhood Memories and Life Application...

A little boy was overhead talking to himself as he strode through the backyard, baseball cap in place and toting ball and bat. 'I'm the greatest baseball player in the world,' he said proudly.
 

Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed.

Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself, 'I'm the greatest player ever!' He swung at the ball again, and again he missed. 
 
He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball carefully.  Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said, 'I'm the greatest baseball player who has ever lived.' He swung the bat hard and again missed the ball.
 
'Wow!' he exclaimed. 'What a pitcher!'

When I was a boy, baseball was my first love.  I would often go out into my back yard and play an imaginary game just as the little boy in the story did.   I also had a dream to be a professional baseball player and to be the best player ever.  I just love the attitude of the boy in the story,   Even in the face of adversity he did not give up.  Even after striking out he didn't get down on himself but gave credit to the "opposing pitcher'.   

You don't see that kind of grace any more.  You don't hear of credit given to someone else too often. And you rarely hear credit or praise given to God.    

No, This world is more and more about a glorification of self.  My life was like that once:  ALL ABOUT ME,    But when I learned about Jesus' Love for me and I observed authentic Christians living out their lives before me day in and day out, it made me long for what they had in their hearts:

The Love of Jesus. 

And since Jesus came into my heart I have never been the same again.  I am a new creation in Christ.  And You can be too.  Jesus can change your heart.  He can change your life.  

Are you struggling in some area of your life?  Are you swinging and missing like the boy in the story?  Jesus is knocking.  He uses the storms of life to drive us to him.  

It's time to hit a home run and give your life over to Christ.   If you would like to visit or pray about making a decision to  turn your life over to Jesus I will pray for and make time for you. Call or text me at 713-818-9109 or email me at coachsam@chadwelltennis.com.   

I pray that this story and these words would touch someone's heart today.   Maybe a man who loved baseball as a boy.  Maybe just someone who needs Jesus in their life.   And Friends: that's ALL of us.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.  And praying that someone else will water this seed that I just planted.

Friends, we all need JESUS.  I love You.

Coach Sam

Making Sweet Family Memories

Goliath's First Family Camp Out January 11, 2014

Elijah and I decided on the spur of the moment yesterday evening that we would camp out in our back yard.  It was our first camp of 2014.   We set up our tent just before sundown.  We made a fire in a fire pit that Elijah built out of bricks.  We roasted hotdogs over an open fire.   Connor and Monica joined us for dinner.  It was a chilly evening but we were warm around the fire pit.

We enjoyed fresh baked chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven,  That's one of the percs of camping in your back yard.  Another perc is wifi, but I didn't bring my laptop last night.  Elijah and I did enjoy watching Ultra Man on a portable dvd player with an extension cord.  We also had a heater in our tent.  That is the GREATEST benefit of camping in your backyard in January with an extension cord and a power strip.

This pic captures a sweet moment in our family history.  It was Goliath's first camp out.  Connor is not looking too excited but he rarely smiles in any posed photo.   Goliath the puppy sure looks comfy in Connor's lap, though.   It was a wonderful evening. 

Elijah built our fire pit

After the campfire died down Elijah, Goliath, and I retired to our tent and watched a dvd.  It got cold last night but we were warm and toasty inside the tent with our puppy....!

I never went camping as a young person.  I am sure glad Elijah enjoys it.  I love camping. Connor does too, but we haven't camped with Connor, yet.  Maybe sometime soon...  That would sure be an adventure.  Monica is not so keen on camping, but I know she would join us every now and then for a fun family weekend.   For now, this is Elijah and Daddy's 'thing'.

Fried Egg Plant: Yum

Eggplant Night, January 2014

When I was child I remember my mom frying up eggplant.   I loved it.  If its on the menu at a restaurant I will usually try it.  But I have not found any restaurants that particularly stand out, especially since we moved out to the rural community of West Columbia.

When I was at our local HEB grocery store a few days ago I spotted some lovely looking eggplant in the produce section so I decided I would see if I could make fried eggplant like momma used to make.  Elijah had never experienced fried eggplant before so I wanted him to try it.

I researched the preparation and frying process, checking out several websites.  I learned that eggplants have genders and the male eggplants are less spicy than the females because they contain less seeds.   -I am not joking here.   Check out this very informative website if you'd like to know more about eggplant.

I won't go into great detail regarding my recipe here in this article.  I posted a photo from 'eggplant night' a few days ago. I was just 'winging' it, but I was pleased with my first effort.  It tasted good to me, kinda how mom used to make it..  Elijah and Monica raved about it.  Connor even liked it and he is a very finicky eater who had previously stated that he had tried it in the past and did not care for it.   I am currently experimenting with some different batters and batter techniques.  I will post again when I feel that I have 'perfected' the Chadwell family recipe.

Breading Mix = bread crumbs, flour, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and basil

If anyone has any eggplant recipes they would like to share please email me at coachsam@chadwelltennis.com.