Thanks For The Memories

It is another Thanksgiving, a time to reflect and realize all the blessings and memories which surround me. First I am so very thankful and blessed that the Lord is in my life day in and day out! Without Him I would not be able to accept all that has happened this past year!

I am so very blessed to have a wonderful husband he is the best even at his worst! Does that make sense? To me yes, to you perhaps not. He is my life, really, we live together, love together, worship together, work together, laugh together, share together, squabble together and survive together. He is my REAL BETTER HALF, without him I wonder if I would be. God placed him in my life at the right time.

This year has brought about many changes. We had changes in our Photography business, mainly with employees, but it has been a good change. There was a time when we needed people to work that really did their job so well, they had a great work ethic and to this day I miss them dearly and then there were those that took what they could without any work ethic, they just put in their time and took their paycheck.

We finally opened The McClure Guesthouse and it has been an experience. I am so thankful for the craftsmanship put in to the restoration and then for the help from family and dear friends in the decor and set up of each room. And once again I thank Mike for letting this dream of mine come true. And of course without my Mom and sister Kathy in dealing with the finances it really would not be. I appreciate all who helped!

A major change has been our church life. Sadly we have lost our St. Andrew's church family, but I can only hope the Lord has a much better plan for us. There is an empty church here in Olney and I believe there is a reason it has remained empty, we shall see and I shall pray and perhaps next year I will be thankful that we were able to open the church once again. It is in the Lords hands though.

I am thankful for the many friends I have in my life both near and far. Many friendships have been renewed and born this year, thanks to the Internet. And many friendships continue on, even though the friends have moved away, this too because of the Internet.

Finally, I am so very thankful for my family which includes Wards and Spieths. Parents, siblings, children and grandchildren they are all wonderful blessings and help create grand memories!

So as I look back, yes I am thankful for the memories of the past year and I am thankful for what will come in the future.

Have a wonderful, Blessed Thanksgiving!

A New Beginning With Old Time Charm

Last Saturday we had our first wedding couple spend their first night as newlyweds at The McClure Guesthouse. We were so excited for them. We also were privileged to photograph their wedding. After we finished the wedding pictures we went back to the studio and printed a couple of pictures for them, put them in frames and then went to the Guesthouse to place them around for them, along with some other little surprises. We then "pretended" to be the couple as they walked in for the first time to see if they would notice these little surprises. You may think we are crazy but it was fun to do this. On Sunday they were having a brunch and opening their gifts, with their families. Around 1 PM we received a call from the groom's sister asking if the couple could stay another night, they loved the house and since they were not leaving until Monday for their Honeymoon, they wanted one more night at the house (instead of at their parents, perhaps). This was great to hear and of course they could stay. Last evening the Groom's Mother stopped by and said that her son told her he never had appreciated "old houses" but this Home really made him realize old homes could be appreciated and enjoyed. Yeah, mission accomplished I think.

Last Friday a young man and his girlfriend were being photographed for "Christmas gifts" at the house, at the very end of the session, he asked Mike to take a picture from up on the staircase down on them leaving and Mike said sure. He took the picture and then the young man knelt down and asked the young lady to marry him! (Mike was in on this loving surprise) All of this was captured for them, keeping the memory forever. The pictures capture the love these two young people have for each other.

We look forward to sharing this Guesthouse with many in the future. Families will be staying during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. So of course there is love to be shared then. In the spring there are reservations for weddings and family parties. And there will be so many more I am sure as the word gets out.

In my June 30Th blog my vision for this home was "A Gift Of Love" from these two experiences I think it is happening! I am so glad and so excited for the Love that will come in the future. So check back as I divulge the many bits of Love as a result of The McClure Guesthouse.

If you wish to take a peak at the Guesthouse, click on the picture of Mike and I and it will take you to our web page.