Testimonials

March 1 – April 29, 2016

We are so thankful for having a place that we can relax in and have a comfortable place to live as my dad is going through ALL (leukemia) with chemo and a stem cell transplant. It was a great place to have family and friends come down and help support us through this difficult time.

Tammy Williamette and Frank Linster (Fairbault, MN)

*****

March 8, 2016

(adding onto Tammy’s above … )

We would like to thank the Serenity House Network for providing my mother and grandfather a beautiful place for them while we go through such a hard time. We will have great memories in this house.

Riley, Hunter, and Nick Williamette (Fairbault, MN)

*****

April 3, 2016

Thank you, Serenity House Network, for providing a very warm and cozy setting for my husband, Frank Linster, while he goes through treatments at Mayo Clinic, and also for my precious daughter who took time away from her job, family, friends, and husband to be his caregiver. It was nice to come and relieve my daughter for a few days and bring her sons for a visit. We always had a meal together for a couple of nights each week and I was glad to know that we could do that. Frank’s attitude perked up when he saw his grandsons.

May God bless you and your ministry as you continue your wonderful work. God’s richest blessings to you.

Prayers and thoughts always,

Sharon Linster

April 17, 2016

This was our home away from home the last 28 days. So clean and peaceful. Greg is a wonderful host. Thanks,

Greetings Jay & Tara,

Not being a gifted writer puts me at a disadvantage when attempting to express the full extent of blessing and peace we found in this marvelous little cottage. Tara’s Place was absolutely perfect for our needs in every way from start to finish.

A little background: The week after Thanksgiving this past year, doctors informed my husband he had cancer. Being a retired hospital administrator he had several retired physician friends. So, naturally he went to his friends seeking advice, two in particular. Each friend spent (literally) hours with Phil going over test results, providing moral support and guidance. At the conclusion both doctors, separately, insisted my husband seek treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Consequently, in January of this year my husband and I were headed to a city where folks from the “sunny south” seldom visit during winter months, Rochester, MN! There in Mayo Clinic we were transformed into “tunnel rats” rushing from lab to lab having a multitude of tests. As a result, the doctor’s recommended a treatment requiring eight weeks beginning on February 29th. Suddenly, our focus shifted from “the best place to go for treatment” to “the best place to stay in Rochester?”

A local church in Rochester was extremely helpful in helping us find a place to stay. A marvelous lady named Helen spent untold hours canvassing her congregation and other local churches. Eventually, she was directed to The Serenity House Network website and forwarded the information to us. After reviewing (repeatedly) properties on the SHN website, Tara’s Place appeared to be perfect for our needs. It was indeed the perfect choice! This decision turned out to be a godsend!

If you are reading this letter it’s safe to assume you, or a loved one, are experiencing a serious health issue requiring housing. Rest assured, Tara’s Place will not disappoint! The house is tastefully furnished with just enough furniture to provide comfort without clutter. The kitchen is a special delight, much better equipped than my kitchen, with top-of-the­-line appliances, an excess of dishes, storage containers, utensils, pots, pans and all kinds of gadgets (some unidentifiable) needed to meet any special dietary needs. We found the other rooms (bedrooms and bathrooms) similarly equipped.

Now this is the paragraph where words fail me. Tara’s Place is so much more than a tastefully furnished, comfortable, well equipped home. To us, it signifies a place of peace and restoration; a place where healing replaced suffering; a place born out of faith and gratitude; a place where love abounds; a place where every need is met; a place where blessings never cease; a place where help is a phone call away; a place where one is surrounded by the prayers of God’s people; and last but not least a place where those prayers are answered in amazing ways.

We leave Rochester with hearts filled with gratitude for the Meier Family. Their warm hospitality and many prayers sustained us on our journey to healing. In addition, we extend a very special thank you to Tara for her vision, to Jay for the love he has for his bride (and early AM snow removal) and to God for His provision that made Tara’s Place possible. Additionally, an extra special thanks to five lovely children who graciously shared a delicious Easter Sunday dinner with some lonely “old folks.” Our experience at Tara’s Place leaves us with the distinct impression that “surely God is in this place!”

May God richly bless you all now and always!

Having Serenity House as our base of operation during my husband’s surgery and treatment at Mayo Clinic has been a blessing. Thank you so very much for offering this alternative to a hotel setting. Coming home to the Brigid Apartment at the end of the day was like coming home to our own place. It has been comfortable and welcoming — so much better than a hotel!

We thank you for all your compassion and kindness during our stay. My husband and I have nothing but praise for Mayo Clinic and for Serenity House Network. It was a wonderful experience during a difficult time.

With appreciation,

This is the third time we have been lucky enough to stay with Serenity House Network. Every one of the homes we have stayed in has been such a refuge from the stress of dealing with health issues.

The thoughtfulness and care that has been put into these wonderful homes is a blessing for us and everyone who is fortunate enough to find you all.

Thank you, Greg and Jodie, for making your dream a reality.

We have been so blessed to be able to come to the Patrick Apartment after our days at Mayo Clinic. The kitchen had everything needed to prepare meals and felt like home. The neighborhood was quiet and we felt safe, even with our car in the garage.

To be remembered on two birthdays while we were here — with cakes, challah bread, and a beautiful bouquet of roses for my daughter who went through a stem cell transplant — will always be remembered. Thank you for all these gifts.

God is good and you folks are His hands, feet, and heart in this city of Rochester. We appreciate you all.

Sincerely,

We enjoyed our week-long stay at the Quincy Apartment. The accommodations were perfect and such a blessing. We loved the beautiful snow that we never get to experience in South Alabama! Thank you for making our stay so pleasant.

February 24 – March 18, 2016 Richard and Cindy Houghton again! Thank you once again for the blessing of your lovely home while Richard attended the Pain Rehabilitation Center program. Thank you for taking him to church and giving him the gift of fellowship. With gratitude,

We feel so fortunate that we were able to stay at a Serenity House Network home during the week my parents were consulting at Mayo Clinic. It was a pleasure to go back to a real home after each day of appointments at Mayo. The home was very comfortable, with many well-thought out amenities, and conveniently located just five minutes from Mayo. Thanks a million!

It is very hard to say what a good feeling it has been staying at the Baptist Hospitality House. Having a warm place to come home to after days at the clinic. Having enough room so two daughters and two granddaughters could come for a short visit. Thank you,