August 2023

Greetings from Shanon’s House,

The past few months we have had guests from, Sheffield, Athens, Harvest, Montgomery, Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, Decatur, Rogersville, and Eva, Alabama, also guests from Columbia, Chattanooga, and Nashville Tennessee.

So far this year we have had 34 guests stay with us. 

Here’s a few notes we have received.

“We cannot thank you enough for your generosity over the past month. You have allowed us to express our concerns about our son and, lifted him and us in prayer for which we are so thankful. You have allowed us to feel honest and human as well as welcome and loved.

Thank you to the Mayfair Church of Christ for the ministry of Shanon’s House. Thank you for your prayers generally taking care of us this month. You have supremely modeled the command to “love your neighbor as yourself. You made us feel like family. May God bless you for all you do for others.”

Here’s a note from a couple with a new baby.

”We stayed at Shanon’s House when our son was in the NICU. We were so blessed by your love, prayers, and kindness. The Shanon’s House was a blessing to us during a difficult time. Our family speaks of you often. Each morning you greeted us with a smile and encouraging words as well as a cup of coffee close by and breakfast. To some this seems small but during that time it was big to us! We truly appreciate you and your sweet church family for welcoming us!”

Here’s a note from a family who stayed at Shanon’s House. When they arrived and looked at the refrigerator, they saw their niece’s picture.

”Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in the beautiful home, Shanon’s house of Compassion. Our loved one passed away. We were able to spend extra time with her in her last days here with us thanks to you guys. It was such a comfort knowing we had a nice, comfortable safe place to sleep right across from the hospital. Also thank you to the Mayfair Church and all the ones that make those precious quilts. Keep up the great work and God is using you all for His glory. We are forever blessed by all of you!“

 

Here’s a note from a couple with a new baby.

“Oh, what a blessing Shanon’s House was to us! After my wife was in bed rest for thirteen weeks in the hospital, walking into Shanon’s house was  a breath of fresh air. No doctors,nurses, janitors coming in our room at all hours, no beeping machines , no buzz of fluorescent lights. Just quiet. Just calm. Just peace. Our son’s names means peace.  We are so grateful for the hospitality of Shanon’s House. I will never forget waking up to the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls and a fresh pot of coffee in the morning. I look forward to telling our son all about what blessings came from our time at Shanon’s House. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you and we pray many blessings over you .Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.”

The husband of this couple was a fireman. He noticed a light out on the back close to the roof and mentioned it to me. I told him that I was afraid for Johnny to change it because he would have to be on a ladder. He looked at me with a smile and said, “I’m I fireman, I’m used to ladders.” So he changed out the light for us.  We do meet the kindest people!

We also had guests who said they wanted to take back to their congregation the idea of doing a ministry in their city like Shanon’s house.

We continue to be thankful to our Heavenly Father and Mayfair for allowing us to serve at Shanon’s House. We also are grateful to all of our brothers and sisters at Mayfair family for their support of Shanon’s House. We are so thankful to be a part of the Lord’s church which continues to look for ways to share the Good News of Jesus with the world!

In Him,

Johnny & Christy

1

 

 December 2022

Greetings from Shanon’s House,

It’s been a while since the last newsletter. We have had guests from North Carolina, Virginia , Arkansas , Russellville, Arab, Toxey, and Moulton, AL and Troy, Missouri and St. Louis,Missouri. We continue to meet  guests who are so thankful for Shanon’s House.

Here is a note from a guest from Virginia who was adopting a baby.

“Thank you so much for your generosity and hospitality this month.  Being 11 hours from home and my husband being deployed made this NICU stay a challenge, but Shanon’s House eases so many concerns and made everything much easier.  Our baby will always have Shanon’s House as a part of her story, and we think it makes our baby’s first chapter a much more enjoyable one. Thank you again for caring for our whole family with such kindness.”

After one night at Shanon’s House, this guest asked if we would like to adopt a 40 year old because your home study has been very nice!  

Here’s a note from a guest from North Carolina.

“If someone told me a month ago that so many strangers would bless me and help me, I wouldn’t have believed it. This experience has taught me that we are not strangers, but we are brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for Shanon’s House of Compassion, and the Church. It was so comforting to have someone to listen to me. Some evenings were hard and others were optimistic .

It was so nice to have someone to give me encouragement and someone to pray with me when I came back to the house at night.  I will never forget the kindness shown to me by the Mayfair Church of Christ, in that they allowed me to stay at Shanon’s house, they sent cards, and they prayed for my sister.  All of these blessings were a light in the darkness.”  

Here’s a note from a couple with a new baby.

“What a beautiful blessing from God this place is! It was so nice to have the comforts of home and feel the love of the Lord while we stayed here.  I would have never dreamed our baby would need to stay in the NICU and that we would be in this situation, but praise God that He sees and knows and makes a way for us-a light in the darkness. Thank you so much for your hospitality, love and prayers and for the beautiful quilt for our precious baby.”

This is a note sent to the Church from one of our guests.

Dear Mayfair ,

Thank you so much for showing your Christian love and compassion in such a tangible way.  My sister and her husband were in a terrible motorcycle accident.  I came to Huntsville as soon as I could from North Carolina . Your generosity allowed me to stay with my sister through her hospital stay.  During one of the most difficult times in my life, you were “good Samaritans”. I was a stranger in your land , but you took me in.  You were an anchor in the storm.

Thank you so much for your ministry and Christian love,

Your sister in Christ.

Here’s another note from a guest from south Alabama.

“Thank you so much for your genuine love and interest, concernand prayers that you have sowed into our lives. I pray that God will use us to minister to others as you have us.  We leave here thinking of y’all as precious friends.  We will keep Shanon’s house in our prayers.”

As you can see, guests are so thankful for this ministry .  We do meet the kindest people .  They come here as strangers but leave as our friends.

At the end of December, we will finish up our 13th year at Shanon’s house.  It has been a blessing to us as well as close to  900 people from all across the United States.  We look forward to a new year and sharing how the Lord’s Church at Mayfair is continuing to help those in need.  Thank you for your support and prayers for this ministry.  We always tell our guests that while they see us , it’s a whole church that made this house happen and keeps it going. Johnny and I are so blessed to be a part of a congregation that is always searching for ways to bring the Good News to others .  

 Greetings from Shanon’s House,

It’s been a while since the last newsletter.  We have had guests from Russellville, Athens, Horton , Tuscumbia, Lexington , Florence, Moulton , Town Creek , Killen , Vina , Collinsville, and Sheffield, Alabama

In 2020 we were only open less than 6 months.  We had over 20 guests during that time.  In 2021 so far we have had 27 guests stay at Shanon’s house.  We continue to meet the kindest people during the hardest time of their lives.  Our longest guests stayed with us for 94 days.  Their baby was born in May at 27 weeks.  His due date was in August.  Here is a note from them,

 

“The Shanon’s house has been an amazing home to us these 3 months.  It has allowed us to be right next to our baby.  It took away so much anxiety and stress knowing that he was just a few steps away.  The last 94 days have been physically and emotionally exhausting, but Shanon’s house has made it so much better.  We can’t wait to tell our baby how awesome it was to stay right across the road . Shanon’s house has been a huge blessing to us and so many other families.  Thank you again for letting us stay during our time in Huntsville.”

 

After 11 years a lot of our guests come referred from former guests.  This is the case with a guest from Killen , Al.  Here is a note from this family,

“Thank you so much for taking me in during the worst time in my life.  The kindness and hospitality you showed me and my family was wonderful. Thank you so much for opening

 Shanons house up to families like mine and many others.  It makes a tough situation easier..

 

We received a note from a guest recently that stayed with us in 2019.  The note said she wrote it in 2019 but it was returned with insufficient address.  She wrote

 

“I am very past due in sending this note.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness that was shown to me as my husband was having major surgery. The set up at Shanon’s house is absolutely one of the richest blessings we could have been given! “

 

Here is a note from a grandmother whose granddaughter stayed with us. 

“I’m the grandmother and my granddaughter stayed with you at Shanon’s House.

Thank you for providing a place for them to stay while their baby was in the NICU.

May God bless your Church richly.”

 

We have had guests that didn’t leave with a happy ending.  Their hearts are broken but even in the sadness they are thankful for a place called Shanon’s house. Here’s a note from a guest whose husband passed away. 

 

“You made my stay in Huntsville easier during one of the most difficult times in my life.”

 

Recently we had guests stay with us while their mother was in the hospital.  The two daughters would take turns staying with their father each night.  The father would get up early each day and we would enjoy visiting with him each morning.  He told me how he listened to Abundant Living each week and how he looked forward to the lessons from Abundant living.  They had been married for 68 years.  He said one morning with tears in his eyes “ things are going to be a lot different when I get home.”  His wife passed away several days later.  They came by to see us recently and gave us this a note.

 

“What a beautiful ministry you serve as the house directors for Shanon’s house. We will never forget the compassion shown to us in so many ways.  Dad loved having his coffee and juice awaiting him each morning.  Being there to here updates , our stories and sharing your stories was an uplifting time for us each night. Although our journey didn’t end as we wanted, your hospitality was deeply gratifying. Please share our appreciation to the sweet ladies who made and gave us the beautiful quilts. They have become a precious comfort piece for us. Mayfair Church of Christ is to be

commended for this loving gift of sharing God’s love with those in need during difficult times.  Also a special thanks to Shanon’s family for sharing his story with and through this beautiful home.  We shall forever be grateful for Him putting you in our path along this journey.”

 

 We recently honored the Tree of Life Quilters with a luncheon at our house in Scottsboro.  These sweet ladies have made over 400 quilts for our guests in the past 11 years.  

Here are a few comments from our guests to the Tree of Life Quilters.

 

“We still have our quilt.  When he’s old enough I can’t wait to show it to him to explain what you all did for us and God’s amazing love and servant hearts he stores in so many. It truly is a reminder of love, gratitude, and so much more. “

 

“I have one of these beautiful quilts from Shannon’s house. My daughter and I stayed at Shannon’s house while my husband was in Huntsville Hospital. He has since passed away and it was hard to look at the quilt for a while but now it brings me such comfort and warmth. Thank you to these ladies that do this, it means so very much to the recipients!”

 

“I still have our quilt. Our son will be 11 this November. We had it easy compared to most guests at Shanon’s house, but it was definitely a God sent in our time of need. I’m forever grateful!! “

 

“Yes!! I love my quilt and I’m so happy to have it to remind me of God’s goodness and grace!”

 

“We will always cherish ours. “

 

“This is the most special place of all. Every time I look at the quilt I think of Mayfair and all the work and love that goes into these quilts. Thank you so much for this ministry. “

 

“Will never forget the day you handed me one those quilts. It meant so much to this mama!”

 

While 2020 was a year where we didn’t have as many guests as years before, those guests we did have were so thankful for Shanon’s House.  We have taken precautions during this difficult time.  We have only used 2 bedrooms so guests don’t have to share a bath. 

 

As you can see from the cards we received that guests don’t forget a kindness shown to them. It’s hard to believe that some of these babies that started out so small are now 11 years old!  Johnny and I are so thankful for your financial support , for the Tree of Life Quilters , for your interest and prayers for this ministry.  We ask you pray that this ministry will continue to be a source of comfort for hurting people.  

 

Please tell others about this ministry and how a loving and caring church called Mayfair Church of Christ continues to strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus! 

In Him,

Johnny and Christy 

 

Happy New Year from Shanon’s House!
Since the last newsletter we’ve had guests from, Albertville, Tuscumbia, Athens, Pisgah, Phil Campbell, Muscle Shoals, Haleyville, Lexington, Guntersville, Moulton and Sheffield, Alabama, Ohio, Colorado, Georgia and New York.
Our guests from New York were a first for us at Shanon’s house. The mother and father of the baby used a surrogate for the birth of their baby. The night before they were to leave they told us their story. They told us how the mother was a cancer survivor. She said she could have carried a baby but the hormones in pregnancy would cause the cancer to come back. So they decided to use a surrogate and the surrogate they chose was from Huntsville. They told us how when the mother was going through her cancer treatment there was another mother going through cancer treatment also. They became good friends and this friend was such an encouragement to them. The friend passed away before their baby boy was to be born in Huntsville. This friends name was Shannon. Our guest said when they told her about staying at Shanon’s house she started crying, remembering her friend with the same name. She commented that Shanon’s house felt like home- this is one of the best compliments guests can give us! This is what they wrote about staying here.
“We are officially discharged from the NICU! I cried! It was so emotional! We owe the NICU team and Shanons house so much during this difficult time. They made it so easy getting through each day. We are truly blessed for all they did for us! There aren’t enough words to thank them. We truly love them! Our son left the hospital wearing a space/rocket outfit since Huntsville is known as Rocket City”. We enjoyed getting to know this couple and introducing them to Alabama!
Here’s a note from one of our guests.
Today I packed up my home away from home and said goodbye to friends. Shanon’s House was a blessing when I needed a place to stay to care for our baby boy. We will forever be indebted to the outreach that is Shanon’s House! How do I even begin to describe the last 2 1⁄2 weeks? Your kindness and goodness will forever be a part of this experience. We thank God that we were led to Shanon’s House

We had guests from Colorado stay with us and they wrote this note to the Mayfair family.
“Dear family, we spent 3 nights in your beautiful ‘Shanon’s house’ while being with our son in the ICU. What a wonderful ministry! It was so helpful and comfortable. Thank you for the sweet quilt. We will treasure it! Our hearts have been overwhelmed by the generous gestures. May God bless you as you continue to bless all He puts in your path. “

We had a sweet couple from Guntersville stay with us. When we told them that Shanon’s house was a ministry of Mayfair, they asked if the minister at Guntersville church of Christ was kin to one of our ministers, Gary Bradley. They told us how kind Phillip had been to them, allowing them to use their building when they had a wedding or funeral. One night they ate supper with us along with the grandparents. A few nights later they wanted to bring supper to us. We always enjoy it when couples will join us for supper. Sitting around the table is a way to really get to know people. They learned that my favorite flowers are hydrangeas. A few weeks after they left a bouquet of beautiful hydrangeas was on the back deck. We do meet the kindest people!

Most of our guests leave with a happy ending, but for those who leave with heavy hearts, Shanon’s house is a blessing for them also . Here is a note from a couple whose baby girl passed away a year before . “We were there in August 2017 after I had our baby girl. The Shanon’s house was an amazing blessing in our lives the short time we were there. It was so nice to have a place to stay close to the hospital. We can never say thank you enough!” Even in their sadness they are thankful for Shanon’s House!
Here’s a note we received recently from a special guest who we consider to be a friend and a great encourager to us. She wrote this to the “Tree of Life Quilters.” These ladies have made over 300 quilts for our guests. It often brings tears to families eyes when I present it to them. I always tell them that the quilt means they are covered in prayers. Guests never forget this kindness!
“Ladies, I was given one of your beautiful quilts in 2012. I cherish it! I use it a lot and each time I do I remember “it covers me with prayer.” We were involved in an accident in Florence, AL and my husband died as a result. My family stayed at Shanon’s house. That was such a blessing for us and we all cherish the wonderful way we were treated there. We count Johnny and Christy as “special friends.” May God continue to bless each of you by the special quilts that you make. They are

greatly appreciated.” We will get notes from her throughout the year and they often come at just the right time when we need some encouragement! I will always remember when she was here and her husband had passed away. She said, “God left me here for a reason so I’ll continue to serve Him.” Writing encouraging notes is one way she continues to serve !

A couple who stayed with us seven years ago, recently called and said they wanted to stop by to see us. Four years ago, the sister of the couple stayed with us also when her and her husband adopted a baby from Agape. One Saturday they all came by and we enjoyed seeing them and their children. They commented on how the house still smells the same. (I was baking bread that day. This has become the signature smell for Shanon’s house!) We enjoyed catching up with them. They wanted to teach their children about giving back, so they brought coffee, paper towels, & waters for guests. These couples will always hold a special place in our hearts.

In the last newsletter, I told you about getting a card in the mail from our guests who had lost their baby. The card announced that they were expecting another baby. There was a poem about a “rainbow baby.” I asked you to keep this sweet couple in your prayers. This evening there was a knock at the back door and it was this sweet couple with their 9 month old little boy. Today was their first little boy’s birthday. They visited the NICU and stopped by to see us. This always warms our hearts when guests come back to see us. I told them how I still have the notes they would leave thanking me for breakfast each morning. They too hold a special place in our heart.

Recently one of our former guests who stayed with us two years ago called about a friend who had a son in the ICU. I asked how we could help and she said “Maybe some of the people from your church could come and pray with them, like they did with us when we were in the hospital with our son. I will never forget that!” There’s a group of Mayfair members who visit the Hospital on Friday nights to pray with people. This was another reminder that hurting people never forget a kindness shown to them!

During the month of December, we enjoy going to the mail box. Guests send Christmas cards and I save all the cards through the years and it’s always makes us thankful to see how the tiny babies have grown.

This month we begin our 10th year at Shanon’s house. This year we have had 46 people stay with us. Every family has a story. Time has gone by so fast! We are thankful for all who make this ministry possible. We have had over 750 guests stay with us since the beginning of this ministry. Often we will have guests who have been referred to us by former guests. When new guests come in and see the refrigerator covered in pictures from former guests they will almost always recognize some of the babies and families. When guests come back often they will mention how they liked looking at the pictures on the refrigerator. Some of the pictures of the tiny babies give new moms and dads hope for their tiny babies.

Johnny and I continue to tell our guests how the Mayfair Church of Christ is the reason for this ministry, and how Mayfair is a church that cares about hurting people. Johnny and I are so thankful for all of you. Your prayers and interest and financial support of this ministry is blessing all those who come to stay at Shanon’s house. This ministry is truly a church wide effort! We continue to know that we couldn’t do this work without God’s help and your support. God has been so good to us to put us in a congregation of such loving and giving Christians. The Lord’s Church at Mayfair is making an impact all over the country. Since the beginning we have had guests from Texas, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts and all over Alabama. We hope 2019 will bring blessings to all of you as you continue to serve Him! We continue to be thankful to our Lord and Savior for allowing us to be here, for the Mayfair leadership who had a vision to help hurting people and for all of our brothers and sisters at Mayfair that make this ministry called Shanon’s House of Compassion a blessing to so many!
In Him
Johnny & Christy

   Happy New Year from Shanon’s House!
Since the last newsletter we’ve had guests from, Albertville, Tuscumbia, Athens, Pisgah, Phil Campbell, Muscle Shoals, Haleyville, Lexington, Guntersville, Moulton and Sheffield, Alabama, Ohio, Colorado, Georgia and New York.
Our guests from New York were a first for us at Shanon’s house. The mother and father of the baby used a surrogate for the birth of their baby. The night before they were to leave they told us their story. They told us how the mother was a cancer survivor. She said she could have carried a baby but the hormones in pregnancy would cause the cancer to come back. So they decided to use a surrogate and the surrogate they chose was from Huntsville. They told us how when the mother was going through her cancer treatment there was another mother going through cancer treatment also. They became good friends and this friend was such an encouragement to them. The friend passed away before their baby boy was to be born in Huntsville. This friends name was Shannon. Our guest said when they told her about staying at Shanon’s house she started crying, remembering her friend with the same name. She commented that Shanon’s house felt like home- this is one of the best compliments guests can give us! This is what they wrote about staying here.
“We are officially discharged from the NICU! I cried! It was so emotional! We owe the NICU team and Shanons house so much during this difficult time. They made it so easy getting through each day. We are truly blessed for all they did for us! There aren’t enough words to thank them. We truly love them! Our son left the hospital wearing a space/rocket outfit since Huntsville is known as Rocket City”. We enjoyed getting to know this couple and introducing them to Alabama!
Here’s a note from one of our guests.
Today I packed up my home away from home and said goodbye to friends. Shanon’s House was a blessing when I needed a place to stay to care for our baby boy. We will forever be indebted to the outreach that is Shanon’s House! How do I even begin to describe the last 2 1⁄2 weeks? Your kindness and goodness will forever be a part of this experience. We thank God that we were led to Shanon’s House
We had guests from Colorado stay with us and they wrote this note to the Mayfair
January 2019

family.
“Dear family, we spent 3 nights in your beautiful ‘Shanon’s house’ while being with our son in the ICU. What a wonderful ministry! It was so helpful and comfortable. Thank you for the sweet quilt. We will treasure it! Our hearts have been overwhelmed by the generous gestures. May God bless you as you continue to bless all He puts in your path. “
We had a sweet couple from Guntersville stay with us. When we told them that Shanon’s house was a ministry of Mayfair, they asked if the minister at Guntersville church of Christ was kin to one of our ministers, Gary Bradley. They told us how kind Phillip had been to them, allowing them to use their building when they had a wedding or funeral. One night they ate supper with us along with the grandparents. A few nights later they wanted to bring supper to us. We always enjoy it when couples will join us for supper. Sitting around the table is a way to really get to know people. They learned that my favorite flowers are hydrangeas. A few weeks after they left a bouquet of beautiful hydrangeas was on the back deck. We do meet the kindest people!
Most of our guests leave with a happy ending, but for those who leave with heavy hearts, Shanon’s house is a blessing for them also . Here is a note from a couple whose baby girl passed away a year before . “We were there in August 2017 after I had our baby girl. The Shanon’s house was an amazing blessing in our lives the short time we were there. It was so nice to have a place to stay close to the hospital. We can never say thank you enough!” Even in their sadness they are thankful for Shanon’s House!
Here’s a note we received recently from a special guest who we consider to be a friend and a great encourager to us. She wrote this to the “Tree of Life Quilters.” These ladies have made over 300 quilts for our guests. It often brings tears to families eyes when I present it to them. I always tell them that the quilt means they are covered in prayers. Guests never forget this kindness!
“Ladies, I was given one of your beautiful quilts in 2012. I cherish it! I use it a lot and each time I do I remember “it covers me with prayer.” We were involved in an accident in Florence, AL and my husband died as a result. My family stayed at Shanon’s house. That was such a blessing for us and we all cherish the wonderful way we were treated there. We count Johnny and Christy as “special friends.” May God continue to bless each of you by the special quilts that you make. They are
greatly appreciated.” We will get notes from her throughout the year and they often come at just the right time when we need some encouragement! I will always remember when she was here and her husband had passed away. She said, “God left me here for a reason so I’ll continue to serve Him.” Writing encouraging notes is one way she continues to serve !

A couple who stayed with us seven years ago, recently called and said they wanted to stop by to see us. Four years ago, the sister of the couple stayed with us also when her and her husband adopted a baby from Agape. One Saturday they all came by and we enjoyed seeing them and their children. They commented on how the house still smells the same. (I was baking bread that day. This has become the signature smell for Shanon’s house!) We enjoyed catching up with them. They wanted to teach their children about giving back, so they brought coffee, paper towels, & waters for guests. These couples will always hold a special place in our hearts.

In the last newsletter, I told you about getting a card in the mail from our guests who had lost their baby. The card announced that they were expecting another baby. There was a poem about a “rainbow baby.” I asked you to keep this sweet couple in your prayers. This evening there was a knock at the back door and it was this sweet couple with their 9 month old little boy. Today was their first little boy’s birthday. They visited the NICU and stopped by to see us. This always warms our hearts when guests come back to see us. I told them how I still have the notes they would leave thanking me for breakfast each morning. They too hold a special place in our heart.
Recently one of our former guests who stayed with us two years ago called about a friend who had a son in the ICU. I asked how we could help and she said “Maybe some of the people from your church could come and pray with them, like they did with us when we were in the hospital with our son. I will never forget that!” There’s a group of Mayfair members who visit the Hospital on Friday nights to pray with people. This was another reminder that hurting people never forget a kindness shown to them!

During the month of December, we enjoy going to the mail box. Guests send Christmas cards and I save all the cards through the years and it’s always makes us thankful to see how the tiny babies have grown.

This month we begin our 10th year at Shanon’s house. This year we have had 46 people stay with us. Every family has a story. Time has gone by so fast! We are thankful for all who make this ministry possible. We have had over 750 guests stay with us since the beginning of this ministry. Often we will have guests who have been referred to us by former guests. When new guests come in and see the refrigerator covered in pictures from former guests they will almost always recognize some of the babies and families. When guests come back often they will mention how they liked looking at the pictures on the refrigerator. Some of the pictures of the tiny babies give new moms and dads hope for their tiny babies.

Johnny and I continue to tell our guests how the Mayfair Church of Christ is the reason for this ministry, and how Mayfair is a church that cares about hurting people. Johnny and I are so thankful for all of you. Your prayers and interest and financial support of this ministry is blessing all those who come to stay at Shanon’s house. This ministry is truly a church wide effort! We continue to know that we couldn’t do this work without God’s help and your support. God has been so good to us to put us in a congregation of such loving and giving Christians. The Lord’s Church at Mayfair is making an impact all over the country. Since the beginning we have had guests from Texas, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts and all over Alabama. We hope 2019 will bring blessings to all of you as you continue to serve Him! We continue to be thankful to our Lord and Savior for allowing us to be here, for the Mayfair leadership who had a vision to help hurting people and for all of our brothers and sisters at Mayfair that make this ministry called Shanon’s House of Compassion a blessing to so many!
In Him
Johnny & Christy

Greetings from Shanon’s House,

The last few months have been busy at Shanon’s House.  We’ve had guests from Muscle Shoals, Moulton , Rainsville, Florence, Tuscumbia Albertville, Guntersville,Hartselle, Sheffield, Russellville, Vina, Town Creek, and Athens, AL , Iron City, Collinswood, Tn., and Austin , Texas.

In the spring we had two couples come to stay with us who had baby’s born at 25 weeks.  These couples stayed with us 17 weeks.  This is the longest we’ve had guests stay with us.  When we have couples stay with us for long periods of time, they really do become like family.  One of these families came to church almost every week while they were with us.   This always brings us joy. The day before they were to get to take their baby home, the dad handed me a letter at church.  He said don’t open it until you get home.  After I read it I knew why.  It was a four page handwritten letter, thanking us.  Here is a portion of the letter,

“It’s never an easy thing to do, having to tell someone goodbye, that you care about and love like family.  It’s hard to believe that nearly 4 months have swiftly came and went.  In some ways it’s easy to wish and to want to turn back the hands of time to go back and do something different or to change the outcome of an event.  In our case the reason we would turn back time is to experience the genuine love, and warm hospitality and relive the friendships we have made with the two of you,

Thanks to God delivering us to this “Eden on earth” called Shanon’s House.”

“It is with great tears of overwhelming joy mixed with tears of sadness that I must bring this letter to an end and start packing our things to bring our little man home on Monday.  We are truly blessed and honored to call you friends but even more so to call you family.  Since it is so hard to saygoodbye, we will say until a later date and time, in heaven or on earth.  Thank you again so very much!  You will always hold a special place in our hearts.” Yes, I cried reading this letter.  

Here’s another card we received, “ we just wanted to tell you how much we appreciated being able to stay at Shanon’s house during our baby’s stay in the NICU.  We pray continued blessings on you, the house and the Mayfair Church”

In the spring we had a guest reunion.  It was a special day seeing guests who had stayed with us in the past.  Seeing the babies who were born so small running around and playing was such a joy!  I save all the pictures that we’ve received through the years and had them displayed on a table.  The children and their parents enjoyed looking back at the pictures and telling them how Shanon’s house was where they stayed when they were first born and in the NICU.

We often receive cards from guests who have stayed with us in the past.  Here is a card from a family from Texas who stayed with us  3 years ago.  “We hope you are both doing well.  My husband continues to progress and we think of you often and the wonderful ministry of Shanon’s house. Shanon’s house has touched so many lives and we are eternally grateful.”  Please accept this small gift as a token of our appreciation for this ministry,”

Last year at this time we had a sweet couple stay with us with a baby in the NICU.  Their baby passed away a few days after they came.  We will always remember this couple as being one of the sweetest that have stayed with us.  We received a postcard from them recently announcing the arrival of a baby in May.  On the front of the postcard was this explanation of a Rainbow Baby. “A rainbow baby is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravage of the storm.  When a rainbow appears  it doesn’t mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with it’s aftermath.  What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds”.  I remember when they lost the baby I prayed that God would let them see brighter days and bless them with another child .  When we received this note I wrote “thank you “ by my request.  God is faithful and good! Please keep this couple in your prayers for a healthy baby in May.

We recently had a couple from Texas stay with us.  Her father was from Florence and they learned about us from someone at his church.  While most of our guests are young couples it was nice to have guests our age to stay with us.  She was an only child so the responsibility of her father was on her.  Her comment about the house was “ this feels just like home.”  I always tell guests that’s the best compliment they could give us!  The last day they were with us was a Sunday.  They came to church with us.  We knew this would be a hard day for her, having to leave her father and fly back to Texas. The last song sung that day was “The Lord bless you and keep you”. With tears in her eyes and in my mine we hugged and said goodbye. Here is part of the note they left for us.  “Thank you so much for blessing our lives with Shanon’s house.  We were so encouraged by our stay at Shanon’s House of Compassion.  It was amazing to be able to totally focus on my father and his healing instead of worrying about things that in the overall scheme of life are not very important.  The accommodations were comfortable and I enjoyed reading God’s word every night before bed. Thank you for making sure we had delicious food and warm coffee with real half and half.”

We meet the sweetest people who become lifelong friends!   

Recently we had a young couple stay with us with twins.  The father asked if we wanted to go see the babies. I never ask to go see the babies but if the guests ask me if I want to go the answer is always yes!  He told me “we think of y’all as grandparents and would love for you to see our babies !”

One of the sweetest times at Shanon’s house is when guests start to leave and Johnny asks if they would mind if he prayed for them. It’s a special time for our guests and for us.

This month we will begin our ninth year here at Shanon’s house. Looking back I realized that the first couple that stayed with us had triplets who will soon be nine years old.  The Mayfair congregation has  blessed almost 700 guests who have stayed at Shanon’s house.   

We’ve learned a lot in the years we’ve been here.  

We’ve learned that people are grateful for the little things.  Breakfast in the morning, a note on their bed saying everything has been washed after every guest .

We’ve learned that you don't have to say a lot of words, listening to them is a comfort.

We’ve learned it does take a whole church to make a ministry like Shanon’s house work.

We have come to love and appreciate the Mayfair Church more for your loving and giving spirit!   We continue to tell our guests that this is a ministry that includes the whole church.  Johnny and I are so blessed to call you our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We know we could not do this work first with out the Lord’s  help and secondly without the prayers and encouragement from our church family.  We look forward to another year in this ministry.  Thank you for your prayers , your financial support and your continued interested in this ministry. God has been so good to send us such sweet families, and to have a church family like Mayfair. We wish for all of you to have a happy and blessed new year in 2018!

In Him,

Johnny and Christy

Greetings from Shanon’s House,

The last few months we've had guests from, Rainsville, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Russellville, Hanceville, Al., Louisville Ky., also Maryland & Lawrenceburg, TN.

It's been a busy few months.  In November we had a very sweet lady from Louisville, Kentucky stay with us.  She came to church with us and all of you were so kind to her.  She and her daughter were in Huntsville for a wedding when her daughter became ill.  She learned of Shanon's House from the church service that Mayfair conducts at the hospital each Sunday. We enjoyed this guest so much.  I told her that I would adopt her as my daughter and she said,    "that's it, I am part of your family now!"  Several weeks after she left she called to tell us her daughter was doing good and to tell us again how much she appreciated Shanon's House.

I always enjoy going to the mailbox in the month of December.  We receive cards everyday from guests who have stayed with us over the years.  I save all the pictures and enjoy looking back and seeing how these tiny babies have grown.  This year we received a letter from guests that stayed with us five years ago. They updated us on the family and sent a picture of their family. They were some of our favorite guests and I still had their picture from 5 years ago on the refrigerator.  They wrote "We hope this letter finds you both happy and healthy.  We think and pray for you often, especially this time of year.  We can't believe it's been 5 years since our sweet boy was born.  It was one of happiest and scariest moments of our lives, but Shanon's House helped us through that difficult time more than you will ever know.  We plan to come and visit soon!"

The month of December is a joyful time of the year for most people, but for some it's the saddest time of year.  The last few years we have had guests whose loved ones have passed away during the month of December.  This was the case with a very kind lady and her adult daughter. They were here for a couple of weeks when they had to make difficult decisions. On the day their loved one passed away the daughter came by the house to tell us bye and how grateful she was for Shanon's House.  This is the note she gave us. "Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Our Lord is a present help and He definitely sent Shanon's House to help our family.  God never ceases to amaze. We will never forget God's love shown to us through Shanon's House".

We had a couple with a newborn that stayed with us in December.  This couple was a joy to have as guests.  The couple had been at Shanon's House for a week when the parents learned that the baby would have to stay a few days longer.  The mother said, "I told the doctor it was ok if our baby has to stay longer, I like it at Shanon's House!"  This made our day! This is the note they left us. "Thank you so much for the hospitality you have shown us the past few days.  You have no idea what a blessing Shanon's House has been in our lives.  It is so nice to leave the hospital and come to a house where we feel comfortable and can enjoy great company. Shanon's House is a wonderful ministry and we will always be grateful for this ministry.  It's been a blessing from God."

We had a couple that left this week.  Their baby was born very early and was very sick. They were one of the sweetest families that have stayed with us in all the years.  Every morning the dad would leave me a note thanking me for the breakfast. One day I told him I was experimenting with a dish I served for breakfast. He left this note "Mrs. Johnson, your experiment was a success. Patent it!  Thank you for the wonderful breakfast.  God bless you.  You can never out give God." The dad was talking with Johnny one night and telling him about the baby.  He said, “We believe in the sovereignty of God.  He knows what's best and we will accept it."  We don't ask a lot of questions when our guests come back to the House, but we knew that they were worried and when they said they wouldn't be back for the night, but wanted to stay by the baby's bed, we knew that the baby would pass away soon.  The next afternoon, the grandparents came back to gather the couples belongings from the room.  The grandmother told us the baby had passed away and hugged me and said how much they appreciated Shanon's House.  She said the couple would be back in a few days to see us.  Later that evening the sweet couple came by and said, "We couldn't leave without telling you good bye. We don't understand why this happened but we trust God. We only see the first float in the parade but God sees the whole parade."  Johnny prayed with them before they left.  This part of Shanon's House will always be hard for us. We only knew this family for two weeks but they endeared themselves to us from the very beginning.  The father said after things settle down they would like to come back and go to church with us to tell the church thank you.

 Recently one lady called about staying here and said, "This is wonderful!  What would make a church want to do something like Shanon’s House?”  I was able to tell her about how Mayfair is a very loving and caring and giving congregation.

This month we will start our 8th year at Shanon's House. We've learned a lot of lessons in the past 7 years and one of them is that the Mayfair church of Christ is a very unique Congregation of the Lords people.  They saw a need, stepped out in faith, and trusted God to make it happen.  Because of their vision they have blessed over 600 hurting people. Johnny and I look forward to another year at Shanon's House.   Thank you all for your prayers and support. We wish for all of you blessings in the New Year!

In Him,

Johnny and Christy