Testimony: My Tennis Career Was Fueled By An Olympic Dream

By the time I was a senior in High School in 1984, tennis had been reinstated as a trial sport in the Olympics.   I had been steadily improving since I first picked up a racquet in 1980, and quite honestly I thought that if I trained as hard as was humanly possible over the next four years that I had a legitimate shot at the 1988 Olympics.  And so the training began.

My life was like a Rocky movie.  I ran early in the morning, jumped rope, lifted weights, and even drank raw eggs like Rocky did.  (I only did that one time.)  I had a one track mind: Tennis.   And I continued to improve, but I realized after awhile that it was definitely a long shot dream to bring myself up to a world class level in time for the 1988 Olympics.  I was a late bloomer, but most of my contemporaries on the ATP tour started tennis when they were 5 years old and had professional training from the start.   Me...?   I was a poor kid from a small town in Texas that had focused primarily on baseball until he was 12 years old.

But oh how I loved tennis.  And I had a passion to see just how good I could become.  Life up to this point was 100% about me and my tennis career.   Along the way as a freshman in college my life was changed forever as I accepted Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior and realized that Jesus needed to be 'number one' in my life, not tennis.  God intended for me to use my tennis talents for His Glory, not my own.

As I continued to pursue my dream of becoming a professional tennis player, I discovered a coaching niche.  In the late 80's I became employed as a professional coach at John Newcombe's Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels and had an opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches in the world and train with some of the world's top junior tennis talent.

1988 came and went, and while my dream of playing tennis on the Olympic stage faded I realized a life in the tennis industry as professional tennis coach was a very attainable goal.  So I set out to become the best coach I could be, and my 'new dream' was now to impact others for Christ through tennis.

Watching the 2016 Olympics brought back fond memories of my life journey from hopeful future Olympian and professional tennis player to current day status as a husband, daddy, coach, and devoted follower of Christ.  God has been good and faithful to me,.  He has seldom given me what I 'wanted', but always given me what I 'needed'.

I am still a 'work in progress'.  At 50 years of age I believe my best tennis is still ahead of me.  I am still trying to become the best player and coach I can be.  Of course, I would love to one day help a very motivated young person achieve their dream of becoming a world class tennis player.   But that's up to God.  I am happy to just be faithful and use tennis opportunities to continue to share the love of Christ to those within my sphere of influence.  To God be the Glory, now and forever!

Visit to ER Last Night Brought Back Painful Memories

 My sweet little boy who is not so little any more had an accident yesterday evening.  He fell off his skateboard and broke a bone just above his wrist.  He faced the situation bravely for a nine and a half year old and is now in a temporary cast. 

Last night Monica stayed the night in Elijah's room with him.  He slept OK but we are wondering how much pain he will be in when he awakens.   I did not sleep much myself but have been awake off and on covering Elijah in prayer.

I want to share that the trip to the ER brought back many painful memories for me.    I remember 14 years ago when I received a call early one morning to get to Matagorda County General Hospital in Bay City as fast as I could because mom was in critical condition.

At the time I was living in Nassau Bay and by the time I was almost to the hospital in Bay City, mom had been life flighted to Hermann Hospital so I rerouted my trip to Houston.   However, when I reached the Hermann ER, hospital staff met me and informed me that my mom had passed away on the flight.  It was the worst day of my life.

We took Elijah to the Sweeny Hospital and have been there two other times in recent years. Memories of those ER visits are so painful I do not wish to discuss them in this forum. But those who know Monica and I intimately know of the hardships, loss, and difficult circumstances we have faced.

Honestly, the memories of those other ER visits flooded my heart last night and it was all I could do to hold back the tears. But I tried my best to be strong in front of Elijah.

He is a sweet, wonderful, innocent, brave, young man and I love him dearly...!  I am grateful that Monica and I could be there with him last night.  I am grateful for the vast outpouring of prayers, care, and well wishes that were extended to Elijah, Monica and I last night.  And I am ever grateful to my precious Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ who walks with us every step of the way in this journey of life. 

I am still reflecting on this recent trip to the ER.  Something was stirred deep in my heart last night and I know God is definitely performing a work in me right now.  I can not articulate my thoughts and feelings any better than that.  All I will say is that I believe that God does not waste any experiences and he uses everything for His Glory.  Our job is to trust, obey, and follow HIM.

Sorry this post is a bit dark, but writing helps me sort through things.   I appreciate your prayers for Elijah, Monica, and myself during this time.

Thanks for following "Coach Sam's Life".    Until next time, I am praying for all who read my blogs.  Praying that you would all know the healing, agape love of Christ Jesus.  

Togetherness In 2015

One of the Chadwell Family's TOP Priorities in 2015 is to draw closer as a family.  We are starting off the year purposing to carve out more meaningful family moments of 'togetherness'.    We are taking the Family Time Challenge which I became acquainted with through All Pro Dad, one of my favorite blogs.

This event challenges us to do at least one activity as a family every single day over the next 30 days (and beyond).  We have even added a few other ideas and activities of our own to this list.  I will keep you posted from time o time how our challenge is going...

Why don't you purpose to schedule more quality family moments into your daily routine...?

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