Testimonials

November 22 – December 19, 2014 We stayed comfortably and homey here at Red River House while we participated at Mayo’s Pain Rehabilitation Center. We are not pain-free, but have tools to work towards that goal, looking positively to the future. Thank you to Liz & Jodie at Serenity House Network for all their assistance. And thank you to Heidi for all the hospitality.

Home away from home! That’s what this place is! Two bedrooms, which we used, fully furnished kitchen, dining room table which was also used as our computer center, and a comfy couch and lounge chair in the living room.

The SHN staff spoiled us with sweet bread, pies (one for our birthday!), Christmas tree and Christmas goody bag! This apartment beats a motel room all to pieces and there really isn’t a cost difference per day. And so much more space.

Highly recommend this place and the staff are really nice and helpful!

November 12 – December 17, 2014

We never felt alone while we were here for my husband’s stem cell transplant. The staff and volunteers at Serenity House Network were always checking in on us and making us feel welcome and at home. We received a Welcome Loaf of Bread, a pie for our anniversary and Thanksgiving, Christmas goodie bag, and a Christmas tree!

Thank you for all the caring hands that blessed our lives during this trying time!

What a pleasure to spend six weeks in such a comfortable setting. The quiet neighborhood and homey apartment provided relaxation and privacy. The Christmas tree certainly boosted our spirits during the last week and a half while waiting for neutrophil counts to rise. Thank you to all who contribute to Serenity House Network. Your work and dedication to stem cell patients is much appreciated.

December 2014

We couldn’t have asked for a more difficult time during the year to get surgery. Christmas is such a difficult time to schedule a life transitioning moment. On the one hand, you’re so thankful for being in the best of hands at Mayo Clinic and you feel so grateful to be at one of the best hospitals in the world. On the other hand, the human, more emotional part of you asks, “Why Christmas?” My family will not be able to celebrate whatever traditions we celebrate which make us happy and remind us of why it’s ” ‘Tis the season.” With the contradictory feelings in mind, we called Serenity House Network for support with the question of where I could get a small tree in Rochester so that my daughter could have a Merry Christmas that would not be consumed by the painful journey her mom was getting ready to experience.

Well . . . (smile) . . .

Can we say that the folks at Serenity House Network are imbued with the spirit and meaning of Christmas? Caroling, decorated door and tree, Christmas gift goodies, warm house in cold weather, cookie dough, fresh bread, pudding pie, pork chops, smiles, and most importantly prayers of Thanksgiving, mercy, healing and appeals for God’s grace.

Christmas couldn’t have been BETTER!

In fact, receiving the blessing of a healing intervention in such hospitable conditions accentuated positive energy that is always needed to hold Jesus’ hand on the way to the Balm of Gilead. Thank you SHN for fulfilling the needs, for not only patients, but our important caregivers as well who self-sacrificingly give of themselves and often get forgotten in the equation of what it takes to heal.

You recognize that not only do people need their families in times of trial, but also that the space in which we use to do that hard work of healing is equally as important.

God Bless You All and Your Mitzvah!

Agape

November 2014 The City View Sanctuary was a perfect place for us to stay while awaiting a stem cell transplant. It is a very comfortable and homey place to come back to after appointments at the Clinic. Very relaxing — a home away from home. Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay here and for all your service to families like ours.

Wow is all I can say! Greg was amazing at getting us settled in and comfortable. This house is lovely and has calmness to it. We couldn’t ask for a more wonderful place to stay while our son is recovering. Thank you so much and God bless.

What a wonderful blessing this has been. I told Cindy and Linda this afternoon that I almost hate to leave.

We are most thankful and grateful for this home away from home. We have been free to laugh here, play games, do laundry, fix our own food — and even be grumpy. What a healing environment you have provided.

We were able to thank God for the good news that we now know what is wrong, have had a lovely place to stay, and of course, that we all love each other so very much.

Love is what makes a journey worthwhile. Quiet & beauty give it spirit — Holy Spirit.

November 2014

I had a stem cell transplant for acute myeloid leukemia. I was in the hospital going through chemo to kill the leukemia cells, for 49 days. We had a prayer answered when we were able to stay at Serenity House Network.

SHN brought a personal touch of home for the healing process. It brought privacy, we were able to cook, do our laundry, watch TV whenever we wanted to. This comfort made us feel right at home.

God bless you, Serenity House Network, for your wonderful service and care.

Being far from home for three weeks while trying to wrangle a hectic Mayo schedule is rough, but Serenity House Network has made things just a bit more comfortable. Thank you to Greg, Jodie, and the other volunteers for helping me feel more at home throughout a very difficult month. You guys rock!