Testimonials

Greg and Jodie,

Thank you so much for your hospitality. It’s great to have so many of the comforts of home when you’re so far away from your own. The apple pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas tree were wonderful surprises. I especially appreciated your encouragement as alumni of the Pain Rehab Center. Several of the other patients mentioned how inspiring your talks were to them. It was great to hear from folks who have been down the path before me and have become such a blessing to others.

Thanks for everything,

December 2011

Dear SHN and Gauthier Family,

Thank you for providing a place of peace for us. We, along with family, friends and acquaintances have prayed for 5 years for God to heal our adult son, Ivan’s leg. His left leg was crushed between the knee and the ankle in a motorcycle accident, and he also had numerous infections. Miraculously, God spared his life.

Sixteen surgeries and nearly 5 years later doctors in our area gave little hope for saving his leg. We and others began to pray about coming to Mayo. God immediately began to open doors. Very soon after requesting an appointment an orthopedic surgeon called my husband and said that he and others thought Ivan’s leg could be salvaged.

We began to experience miracle after miracle, including learning about Serenity House Network.

When we first entered Gauthier House, we felt God’s presence. We knew this to be a home filled with love. We have met Jodie, Deb, Joan and Greg, and see the love of God in action through each of them. We firmly believe God’s hand is on Serenity House Network.

Since September, Ivan has had 2 major surgeries at Mayo and 8 of our 11 weeks here have been spent in the Gauthier House. We are extremely thankful to the Gauthier’s for opening up their home to people like us. We will be back and forth to Mayo for about two years. We each pray that God in His grace and mercy will always provide a Serenity House Network home for us.

We pray for God to bless abundantly this wonderful ministry.

Love in Christ Jesus,

Thanksgiving Week, 2011

Jodie, Serenity House Network, American Heritage Girls Troop 521, and the Gauthier Family,

We want to thank you for opening the Gauthier home to our family during Thanksgiving week. We were so impressed with the home and all those who welcomed us…Jodie, Greg and Deb were so helpful.

We so appreciated the pie, especially during Thanksgiving week. It was the topic of numerous conversations and received lots of compliments when we enjoyed it with our Thanksgiving meal. We are so grateful for people like the Gauthier’s. Our experience in their home truly made our Mayo experience with our son’s open heart surgery less stressful and opened the opportunity for our family to come together in a warm and inviting environment where we shared a once in a lifetime experience. We have much to be thankful for…a successful surgery and angels like all of you.

God Bless,

“We are so grateful for your willingness to open your home to us at this challenging time in our lives. Cancer was never in our plans but it has been sweet to feel the tender care of the Lord as we have walked this course. Finding your beautiful home was just another tender mercy showing us that God cares about us. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”

How blessed we were to find the Serenity House Network! The house and accommodations were ideal. Better than ideal, if that is possible.

The Baptist Hospitality House is clean and comfortable. Having a Washer and dryer in the house is a blessing as well as quality furniture and comfortable beds. I had heart surgery and had to sleep in a recliner after being released from the hospital. I was very comfortable. Extra sheets and blankets were available for resting in the living room when I couldn’t get out of a bed.

These people know what is needed for an extended medical stay. All of our needs were met. The location was perfect – a short distance to St. Mary’s Hospital, HyVee (groceries) and Super Target.

I am a private person and was extremely comfortable in this residential setting. Watching squirrels, birds and children in the neighborhood from the back deck was very relaxing.

I would like to thank the Serenity House Network for all the planning and thought they have put into their properties. They have exceeded all of our needs and expectations. No surprises when we arrived, just everything exactly as they have described and pictured on the website.

August 2011 Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for opening this home up to us. Your service provided us the wonderful opportunity to recover from Marr’s liver transplant while keeping our family together without putting a tremendous hole in our budget. Your cottage had everything we needed and we couldn’t ask for better hospitality. Thank you very much!

Dear All,

After years of frustration with the medical field, my husband and I decided coming to Mayo would be our last resort. We now have answers to my health, but we gained so much more from our stay here. Staying with the Serenity House Network made this possible – a gift from above.

Everyone was so friendly and we were able to relax with the comforts of home. When my husband had to leave and I stayed on my own, I was not worried because I knew I could turn to Jodie, Greg or Deb downstairs. Thank you so much for your help and also thanks to the Gauthier family for opening your beautiful home up to others. You are all wonderful people and your efforts to help Mayo patients are appreciated. We will surely see you soon for surgeries and follow-up visits. We wouldn’t stay anywhere else.

God Bless and Thanks again!

Dear Heidi and Kevin,

We are going home tomorrow at last after being here almost a month. Our home away from home was truly a blessing. Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us during my son’s 3 weeks at the Pain Rehabilitation Clinic (PRC). Coming home after an intensive, challenging day was always a true relief because of the peacefulness of the setting – the river, welcoming hosts, pretty flowers, and a place to stretch out and be comfortable.

Heidi, you were always available whether I needed to talk or cry. I love the plaque in the apartment bathroom: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” We must cling to God’s promise during difficult times when we feel our future is bleak.

The Serenity House Network was founded by 2 amazing people – Jodie and Greg. Additionally, they have found 2 amazing hosts that make their guests feel cared for in a very special way. Thanks, again, for your love and hospitality. If you are ever in east Tennessee, we’d love to have you stay in our home. I really mean that.

Love,

April 2011

Since June 25th, 2010 our lives haves been turned upside down. A basic middle class family, my husband found out he had a tumor on his heart. This case is so rare that only 7 other cases have been reported in the world. My husband was hospitalized from June 25-Aug 31, 2010. Our finances instantly got cut in half. On top of everything else that we were dealing with, we found out that the only doctor skilled enough to perform the necessary surgery was located in Rochester, MN.

Getting to and finding a place to stay that we could afford would truly be an act of God. I am glad to know that God takes care of all His children. After speaking with someone at the Mayo Clinic about our financial hardship we were told about the Serenity House Network. After speaking with them on the phone I felt there was hope. This place sounded like a place I really wanted to be. I knew I was blessed when God gave me the funds to be able to stay at the Red River House. There, I met an angel named Heidi.

In the midst of my storm, God gave me an awesome resting place. After being at the hospital all day tending to my husband it was nice to come home, not to a cold hotel room but a warm house that I truly felt peace in. This is truly a piece of heaven. It is run by God’s angels.

Heidi is a truly awesome person. She extends her heart as well as her home. Words cannot express the gratitude my husband and I feel. Thank you Heidi for sharing your piece of heaven with us.

Thank you, God, for giving me peace in the midst of my storm by giving me green pastures to lay in.

Sincerely,

We both thank you so much for your hospitality and sharing your home with us. We loved our talks and laughs with Heidi every day. We also liked the time we spent talking with Kevin and Heidi about our faith and how it applies in our lives and current situation.

Kendale was being treated at Mayo for what we came thinking was a life-threatening disease. We leave knowing that it is much less serious and he will live a long, healthy life. We both felt very relaxed in the Red River House and enjoyed the wildlife and scenery. It was very cozy and felt like home. We took lots of pictures of the snow and river which came out beautifully. It was like being on vacation (just wish the circumstances bringing us here were better).

We were also invited to church with Jodie and we loved the service immensely. It was very much like our home church and the message was great. Thank you, Jodie, for the invitation and experience.

I hope everyone coming in after us enjoys their stay as much as we did. And again, our hearts are grateful to Jodie, Greg, Kevin and Heidi for their kindness and hospitality.

Take Care and God Bless,