Dave and Jan are very grateful this Thanksgiving season for the Lord’s leading and provision for their son Stephen and his family (Meagan, his wife, 7-year-old Ryan and 4-year-old Erin). When Stephen’s employment with Zeiss Lens Company in Germany as a cinema technical sales specialist at the cinema lens demo center in Sherman Oaks, California came to an untimely end, he applied for many positions in his field of specialty. After months without any job prospects, Stephen and family visited Dave and Jan over the fourth of July weekend in Cedar City. Liking what they saw, Stephen checked for jobs in Cedar City and found a restaurant for sale, so he decided to check on it. When the owner (who built Dave and Jan’s house) spoke with Stephen and made the connection with his parents, he invited Stephen to visit the restaurant to check it out. He did check it out, and is now in the process of taking ownership of the iconic Top Spot Restaurant and Gas Station in a prime location on Main Street in Cedar City.

Finding housing in Cedar City is a stiff challenge. Places which are up for rent typically have lengthy waiting lists, and potential renters have to pay a fee to get placed on the list. But Stephen found a property management company in nearby St. George, Utah which had a listing in Cedar City with only one other person in line to rent it. So Stephen applied and was given the opportunity to rent the house beginning November 1st. The house is large (4,000 sq. ft. – including an undeveloped full basement), but located in a fairly new housing development in a good location and well-suited to the family’s needs.

After living in a big city townhouse for the past two years, with no yard, Ryan and Erin are really going to enjoy their spacious new “digs” with its fenced yard and its lawns in both the front and back.

And there are nearly unlimited opportunities for adventure in the beautiful area around the city!

Dave and Jan are very thankful to the Lord for His direction and provision in all of these details. The Balsley families are trusting in the Lord to make paths straight for Stephen as he learns the myriad of details involved in running a restaurant and gas station business – seeking to trust in the Lord with all of his heart, not leaning on his own understanding, but acknowledging the Lord in all his ways (Proverbs 3:5-6)! You are welcome to pray as well for the Lord’s direction and rich blessing in this new adventure.