Mission Impossible

As a recovering people-pleaser there are times I have to remind myself that it is an impossible mission.  That's a hard reality in the hospitality industry and in all of life.  Over this past year of running a lodge, I have worked hard to create an atmosphere that people will enjoy, decor that is enjoyable to the eyes, cleanliness that is critical to me as a former nurse, breakfasts delightful to taste and get people off to a great start of their day.  The coffee center is stocked and the pot is going early in the morning with that wonderful aroma.  The fireplace is set for a crackling fire.
Not everyone will have a good experience or desire to come back and it is hard for me to let that go. I wonder what I could have done better or differently.  There's no harm in evaluation, but then it's time to move forward instead of feeling personal failure.
This morning my guests came out of their suite and the gas fireplace had shut off during the night and it was quite chilly.  The thermostat was not operative so I took off the bottom vent to access the wiring and jump started the circuit as Jim had shown me in the event this happened.  I apologized profusely for the malfunction of the unit, but I felt like a dark cloud was going to remain no matter what else went right and that they will never come back.
This morning I had to renew my mind with the truth that my mission is not to please all people, which is impossible.  My mission is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, which is possible or He would not have given it to us.  That must be my focus and all else will flow from that.  I won't please everyone, but I don't need to, just the One.

Surprises

Some friends who stayed with us at the lodge asked what our biggest surprise was over our first year of owning and operating the lodge.  Not sure about the biggest, but here is a list:

• the propane bill, especially in the winter
• the number of people who ring our doorbell and assume they are at the right place because their gps said "you have arrived"
• the number of people who call us looking for another lodge 
• how long it takes to get any repair or construction done up here
• people who want a "cheap" place in Greer
• how many elk Jim has encountered hiking, how many elk or deer have been in our yard, and how much they poop
• the puppy Lyn brought home and now is Jim's exercise buddy
• how fast our first year went

So far in this new year the biggest surprises are how much it is snowing, icicles up to 4 feet long, and how much fun our dog has playing in the snow.