Our pastor, Joe LoMusio of Temple Baptist Church in Fullerton, spoke November 22nd on Psalm 100. He focused on verse 5 where we were reminded that God Is Good, His Mercy Continues, and His Truth Endures. On the strength of those thoughts he encouraged all of us to “Have a GRATEFUL Day” on Thanksgiving Day – and every day!
Though the famous 1621 celebration of the Pilgrim settlers and the Indian chief Massasoit and around 90 of his people was not described in the original accounts as a celebration of thanksgiving, it is well known as the “First Thanksgiving in Plymouth.” In Mourt’s Relation, Edward Winslow wrote of that event: “although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”
And so, for us at the Balsley household in Brea, we are grateful to be very “far from want” and are very well-aware of “the goodness of God” in the abundance which we enjoy today and so regularly throughout the year!
An attractive decorative reminder of the Lord’s blessings in our lives at this season of the year came from our church’s “Fall Festival” where Jan was given this fall arrangement with its significant spiritual symbolism.
We also enjoy beautifying the inside of our house with the intricate design of the blossoms of the Bird of Paradise plant which beautifies our front yard.
For over a year now it has been a pleasure to share our home with another resident artist (besides Jan), Caroleen Suzuki, whose artistic skills are being sharpened as a result of her art studies at Fullerton Junior College. Her recent line drawing depicts our living room in the background of this photo in amazing detail.
Though Mom Baden has joined Dad Baden in glory, she left for our ongoing enjoyment and edification this stained glass depiction of the countless blessings flowing down from the Lord in heaven for those who will receive them. The small plaque below the picture provides the explanatory text from II Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
So, for these and many other reasons, we are having a GRATEFUL day. We sincerely hope that you have such a day as well!
Cedar City Balsleys 
Thank you for adding your thanksgiving praises to those of Eddie Winslows. The extra effort was worth it!
The older I get, the more impressed upon me is the importance of confessing our praises to God overtly, out loud, for as many to see as possible, every chance we get. It is a vital exercise of the will, and a proven bulwark against the enemy when he would come in “like a flood”. It strengthens the hearts of the weary, renews the mind of the forgetful, and, in your case, was pretty and fun to look at.