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Dear Honey Run Friends,

We live in a new world dominated by technology. We can now communicate with anyone in almost any corner of the earth, not just audibly, but with video, so we can see eye-to-eye during the conversation. Most of us have a phone that has more computing power than the computers used to send the men to the moon. Our social habits and even the way we meet new friends and love interests are digital. And yet with these changes, we still celebrate the birth of Jesus some 2,000 years ago. Living in Amish country has opened my eyes to a life that resists change. While I enjoy and embrace technology, there is a lesson in the Amish way of life that family, friends, and a slower pace of life should not be lost. Technology cannot replace the feeling of a lover touching your hand in an assuring embrace letting you know they love you. It cannot replicate the feeling of cuddling your loved one in front of a fire or gazing into their eyes over a romantic dinner. It cannot replicate the chance encounters and new friendships formed as you are visiting The Inn, meeting new friends in the lounge or by the fire in the lobby.

As a business owner in the year 2017, I worry that our business model is outdated and the product we offer is from years past, no longer relevant or needed in today’s technologically-based world. But as I watch the guests arrive looking for serenity, I see that what we offer is not obsolete. In fact, I see quite the opposite. We need now, more than ever, to connect on a personal level, whether that be in relationship or a connection with one’s self. Just as we needed a Savior to free us from the sins of this world we need time in this life to experience the beauty around us. This beauty encompasses the natural landscape, important relationships, and the quieting of the soul.

While The Inn at Honey Run will never see 300% gains in value in a year, we do see thousands of lives enriched each year. We have learned to evaluate our success on different metrics than just financial and focus on lives touched. So the next time you visit and see the stunning landscaping and seasonal decorations, meet a warm smile and loving welcome when you enter the front door, see an old friend in Tarragon as your dining attendant, taste the magical flavors of the fresh local food our culinary team created that day, smell and feel the clean sheets surrounding your body on a bed that feels like you are floating on a cloud, know that this is all due to a team of souls who seek to offer you the perfect environment for your much needed time of serenity.

Yes, our world is changing, but there are constants. We were made to love and be in relationships, and as long as we need each other, we will need sanctuaries to reconnect. I pray that you can make time to visit The Inn, replenish your soul in the coming months, and see why we have been so important to our guests over these past 35 years. It has been an honor to serve you, and we look forward to sharing our serene life with you for many years to come.

Merry Christmas!

Jason