Lunch with My Aunts

While on Sectional Conference Tour in the Western District, I was able to visit with my aunts, who all live in Stockton. I took them for lunch to Dave Wong's and we had a great time. Ramona, Stella, Ruth and Viola are my Dad's four sisters. I was so honored that they would meet with me. They made so many great memories for me growing up. I had a great time sharing those memories with them today. Life goes by so fast that I want to make more time to spend with those that mean so much to me. Thank You Tia's for a great time!

The Concert

The great Ignancy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) was a Polish pianist who gained world wide fame and was very popular in the United States. I was recently reminded of this story and researched it. Paderewski experts say the story may have been inspired by a poster during World War II that promoted a meeting in support of the Polish Relief Fund. Paderewski is said to have organized the meeting. The poster included a sketch of Paderewski next to a boy at the piano.

Here is the story:
When the house lights dimmed and the concert of the great pianist, Paderewski was about to begin, a mother hurriedly returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on the stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out Chopsticks. At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Keep going. Don't quit, son. Keep playing. Don't stop. Don't quit." Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that after the concert they couldn't recall what else the great master played, only the classic, Chopsticks.

What we accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, when we play along with the hand of our Master, Jesus Christ, our works in life become truly beautiful. His hands are always there to turn our feeble attempts into great masterpieces. Listen for that tender voice whispering words of encouragement for you today, "Keep going. Don't quit. Keep playing. Don't stop. Don't quit."

The Joys of a Puppy

There is never a dull moment in the Saiz household and especially with Dexter, our 4 month old Boxer puppy. Today I came home from being gone around an hour and a half. The picture below is what I found!!! I still have no idea where he found the new roll of paper towels, but he did! He had almost the whole roll torn apart all over when I came in the door. As I was cleaning it up and he was trying to play, I could not resist the picture. Oh the joy of a puppy!!

Texas Trail Ride

After a great Easter Sunday service, I got on a plane late that afternoon and flew to Dallas, TX where I met up with Tom and Tim Foster, my bros.-in-law, for five days of trail riding. We left early Monday morning to Caprock Canyon State Park. It was great to go through country side of Texas. I got to go through the great cities of Turkey and Quitaque (pronounced "kitty-kway") that were so quaint with their old style downtown areas and rich in history. We got there in the afternoon and had time to take about a four hour trail ride into the canyon. The scenery was incredible. The riding was exceptional, especially for this city boy. We got back that first day and grilled some venison Tom had brought for the trip. It was delicious. The next two days we rode there in Caprock and then on Wednesday drove over to Palo Duro Canyon right outside of Amarillo.

Palo Duro Canyon is twenty miles wide, a hundred and twenty miles long and eight hundred feet deep. It is the second largest canyon in North American right after the Grand Canyon. It has some of the most incredible rock formations. Some of the most popular are the "Lighthouse" and "Castle" rock formations which you can see in the slideshow. It was about a 13 mile round trip from our camp to the "lighthouse." Then on Friday, we rode in another part of the canyon that was a real treat before we headed back to Dallas.

Thank you Tom & Tim for all your preparation and work in putting this together and for letting me join you guys on a great trip! It was a blast!

Home With Dad & Mom

These past few days, I was able to be home at the Circle Double F Ranch with my Dad and Mom in Calhoun, LA.! Since I was speaking in Jackson and it is only 2 hours from home, I was not going to miss a chance to be with my parents! I flew in Thursday night and on Friday my sister-in-law Gayla Foster from Dallas was home visiting her parents came by on her way back to Dallas. We enjoyed a lunch of Johnny's Pizza with Dad and Mom and a few hours together before she headed to Dallas and I to Jackson. Although we talk almost every day, we don't get to see each other as often as we would like. So this was a special treat! The sessions in Jackson were over in time for me to have dinner with Dad and Mom at Piccadilly! There are certain places that I like to eat when I'm home and Piccadilly is one of them. While there, I texted my friends Melanie Elms & Farah Morton. . .they both love Piccadilly as well!! We usually always let each other know when we are there to kind of rub it in! : ) Sunday I was able to be in service at my home church, THE PENTECOSTALS of the Twin-Cities. It was great to see everyone! It was a treat to hear my Dad teach his Sunday School lesson and my brother, Mark preach. It was great to also be with Paulla, Jeremy, Jennifer, Jayden, & Jesi. Saturday, I went to Kalidascoops Ice Cream Shop in Monroe to see my nephew Jonathan & his wife Tasha. They are the new owners! If you are in Monroe, stop by on Forsythe Ave. for a scoop! I know they will do great with this new venture! Monday night, my dear friends Madeline & Ginger put together a dinner with a few friends that were available. It was a great time!! Sis. Rachel Smith, retired missionary was there as well as two other ladies that have been so special in my life as intercessors, Sis. Virginia and Kathy. It was a fun time!! It was great to be home to see so many, but most of all to be with Dad & Mom and just enjoy hanging with them!

Mississippi Single's Conference

Friday & Saturday, I had the priviledge of speaking in Jackson at the Mississippi Distict Single's Conference. The conference was held at the First Pentecostal Church pastored by Chris Craft & Bishop T.L. Craft. The conference was hosted by MS. District Sunday School Director Steve Cannon and his wife, Rita and MS. Single's Director, Hansel Stanley & his wife Teressa. They along with the entire MS. Sunday School Board did a great job putting this growing conference together! They were there from around 5 states! We had a great conference. Friday night after the service, there was a southern meal cooked by FPC as well as hilarious entertainment put together by Hansel Stanley and company. It was a great night. The next day was a great service. Thanks to Bro. Cannon, Bro. Stanley, and the MS. District Sunday School Department for your ministry to the Single's of Mississipi through this great conference!

Hansel Stanley, myself, Rita, & Steve Cannon

Julie Garner, Jackie Charles, & myself.

Julie is the Regional SAM Director. She & Jackie are from Memphis, TN.

Back home

I am back home. Two weeks ago on Monday, March 24th, I flew to Newark, NJ to meet all of the Single's on our SAM Trip to London & Paris. I flew back to Los Angeles last Tuesday. . . very happy to be home. I few out on Thursday to my parent's in West Monroe, LA. Friday, I drove to Jackson, MS to speak friday night and Saturday at the MS Single's Conference which was held at Bro. Craft's church. We had a great conference. I then drove back to Calhoun, LA. to my parent's home and spent the next few days with them. I had a great time. I flew home last night. Today my husband and son enjoyed Johnny's Pizza from Monroe. If you have never experienced Johnny's Pizza, you are missing a great experience!! I brought a couple of Pizza's home on the plane. . . .I buy them, let them cool down, put them in ziploc bags, and bring them in a cool-hot bag. I made 2 men very happy!!! Next time you are in the twin-cities area of Monroe and West Monroe, try some . . .you will be very glad you did!!!