testimonials
“Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.”
Psalm 72:19
“The Back to the Garden retreat was one of the most powerful and beautiful retreats I have ever been on. I have never felt God so closely. The little details they included to make the experience very real helped you feel the beauty of your feminine heart. Every woman should attend and receive that kind of love from the Heavenly Father.”
-Margaret, Back to the Garden Retreat attendee
“I've had the privilege of working closely with Sarina Stokes at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House, where her dedication to spiritual accompaniment and retreat direction has developed. Her contagious joy and genuine care for others shine through her work with women, youth, and young adults. Sarina is faithful to the Church and her commitment to a life of prayer is inspiring. She is open and attuned to the Holy Spirit, and I have witnessed the fruits of her ministry enriching our retreats, particularly in the powerful Back to the Garden retreat and her prayerful guidance during Ignatian retreats. I am confident Sarina's gifts will continue to touch many lives, and I wholeheartedly support her ministry and encourage others to work with her.”
-Fr. Gary Coulter, Director of Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, NE
“Sarina has been joining in our ministry's prayer gatherings for some time now. She is a passionate follower of Jesus who is extremely gifted in intercession and helping those she prays with connect with the heart of our Heavenly Father. I look forward to how God continues to bestow his favor on her life and ministry. We consider it an honor to be able to partner together in Kingdom work and encourage blessing both prayerfully and financially in supporting Sarina in her missionary journey. “
-Jason Kirsch, Lead Facilitator at Nebraska Christian Leadership Forum
“Sarina was excellent. She was an attentive listener and directed me to scripture passages that kept my prayer focused and attuned to the Lord. She gave me time...she was patient...and she was open. She was very easy to talk to and I felt that I could discuss anything with her.
She listened with her heart....”
-Deacon John, Ignatian Directed Retreat
attendee
The young people at St. Vincent's responded to Sarina in a positive way and listened closely to her testimony. Her joy was authentic and clearly visible to the young people, which encouraged them to listen. The High School students said that this was the best retreat that they have had. That had to do with her testimony, but also her prayer during the time of adoration. Sarina has a great reverence and love for Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist, and her desire to be with Jesus in prayer was contagious. There was little doubt in the minds of the young people that she loved them, and when we are loved we respond in a positive way!”
-Monsignor Tucker, Pastor at St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic Church in Seward, NE
“Sarina has been and continues to be a great blessing in my ministry work with her ability to share testimony with great love and passion with focus only on the Lord and not herself. Her pure joy and vulnerable way of speaking creates a desire in the listener to know and love the Lord. With great maturity in her faith, she delivers with an engaging and child-like joy that is contagious. Sarina has assisted me in developing retreats with deep prayer and discernment of the Lord's will in every detail. She is a joyful presence to work with. Did I mention her ability to lead praise and worship would be an asset to any retreat or encounter night?”
-Beth Nemec, Coordinator of Youth and Adult Spiritual Formation
“This retreat was healing in so many ways. I experienced physical healing, emotional healing, mental healing, and spiritual healing. Spending time with the Lord in the chapel adorned with flowers and candle light allowed me to fall in love with Him even more deeply.”
Anonymous, Back to the Garden Retreat attendee