Saturday, November 30, 2013

Miracle 38: Prayers For Another

I cannot wait for you to keep reading today! This incredible miracle is one that brought tears to my eyes. This woman is amazing.


I grew up in the south, and had never even heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was married, but separated from an abusive drug addict, struggling to raise our two precious daughters. My husband had moved across the country to start a new business with his father. I was trying to decide if I should move out there with him, and repair our marriage. He made a lot of promises to change, and to get clean and sober. 

I did not know what to do. I was scared. And as I was wrestling with these big decisions, two missionaries knocked on my door. A sweet spirit unlike I've ever witnessed before, came over me, and I knew that their message for me was true before they uttered a word. I invited them in, but because I was alone, they rescheduled a visit for a time they could bring a sister with them. 


Well, our schedules never worked out, so I never heard their message. All I had was the Book of Mormon they gave me. In the meantime, I had decided to get back together with my husband. I told the missionaries on the phone that I was moving. The elder said (and I will never forget this... It still gives me chills, and you will see why at the end of my story), he said, "I don't know why we came to your house. We were not in your neighborhood, but the spirit directed us to your door. Something is telling me that you are in danger and the gospel will save you. I really want to give you the message Heavenly Father has for you. I don't think you should leave. I am going to pray that you hear the gospel when you get to wherever you are going. I will pray for your safety."


 After that, I thought that guy was nuts. It freaked me out and at the time I felt glad that I didn't tell them where I was going. It was creepy! Fast forward a few weeks later and the first person I meet in my new home town thousands of miles away, is a Mormon. Fast forward months later, and I am trapped in a nightmare of unbelievable domestic violence. I lost my job as a teacher because of bruises and marks all over me. And my husband was stalking me at school, making sure I was there.


Later, the Mormon I met on my first day there, comes back into my life and hears that I lost my job. He offers me a job in his auto repair shop. I take it. He teaches me the gospel every day. 


I get baptized. And then the abuse gets worse. Much worse. This man rescues my two little girls and me. After an 18 month legal battle, we are finally free, and we came back to Georgia to start our lives over.
A year later, some friends from church set me up on a blind date. 6 weeks later, we got engaged and 6 weeks later, we got married! A year later, he adopted my two little girls, and we've had three more babies since! We've been married 14 years now, and are more in love than ever. We are a forever family.


I wish I knew who the elder's name who listened to the spirit and prayed on my behalf. I was too ashamed of the abuse to ask for help. If it had not been for the man who rescued us, I would not have lasted much longer. I would not be here today. Heavenly Father hears our prayers for others. I am so thankful that someone was willing to pray for me.




There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Friday, November 29, 2013

Miracle 37: The Wonder of Temple Work

This miracle is from another missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Philadelphia! 


I had a really cool experience on August 3rd. I went with my companion to the Washington temple and as the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my family, I was able to perform the sacred ordinances for my grandfather. When I was in the Celestial Room, I prayed to our Heavenly Father to know if my grandfather accepted the work I had done. This amazing feeling of peace came to me and I knew in that moment that my grandpa had accepted it. I am so grateful to be member of the true church on the earth. Just last week was my 3 year anniversary of being a member of the church.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Miracle 36: Our Savior is The Miracle

This darling miracle is from my very first missionary companion in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. To say the least, I love this Las Vegas girl more than words can say.


I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I have been on my mission for almost six months. I have learned in these past few months that miracles happen every single day, we just have to have our eyes and hearts open to recognize God's hand in our lives. I wanted to share some miracles that would be considered small by some, but my companion and I know that they are truly miracles! We were let into someone's home after hours of being out in the cold and were able to share a message about prophets with him. We were given Powerade by someone after a long evening of knocking doors. We were able to serve at the Mandarin food bank. We did NOT get eaten by a dog who could have attacked us. We see the greatest miracle each morning as the Lord gives us strength beyond our own to love His children, share our testimonies, and wear His name. Our Savior Jesus Christ is THE miracle and He is who we dedicate our lives to!


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   
 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Miracle 35: Missionary Miracles

I love missionary experiences. They truly are all miracles because it involves bringing people closer to Christ. This one is from an young man serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


So I'm on a mission in the hood of Philadelphia, serving in a small branch and we've been praying a ton for the Lord to place people in our way to help the branch grow. A few Sundays ago, two sisters came in to our building and sat in for Sacrament meeting. After which they both had a bunch of questions about what the Book of Mormon was. We've been seeing them twice a week for the past couple weeks and they are developing such a strong testimony of the restored Gospel-it's incredible to watch! They are going to be baptized on December 8th of this year! The Lord answers prayers and works miracles! It's just up to us to recognize them.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Miracle 34: The Wonder of Member Missionary Work

This lovely Mormon mom is quite the member missionary. Oh how all missionaries LOVE when members get involved. I'm grateful for her example and faith. 


One of the most amazing miracles I have experienced involved praying for a missionary opportunity and then watching the Lord's hand in the life of my neighbor and seeing them embrace the gospel. Noticing the change that took place in their faces and eyes. Now I continue to hope and pray for them that they will desire to continue with those blessings and absolutely those miracles, as they go forward.I pray they will have the strength they need to push Satan out of their lives.

As I witnessed this miracle, my testimony was strengthened as to the love and influence Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost have in our lives. I am so grateful for that knowledge.



There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Monday, November 25, 2013

Miracle 32 & 33: Trusting in His Timing

These two lovely miracles are from a darling and faithful girl living in Utah. Hope you love these miracles as much as me!


Four years ago, my family was at their lowest point. My grandfather had passed away from cancer and my father was deployed. My sisters' children were taken from her custody and put into foster care. I was scared, sad, and feeling lonely. I was home schooled and kind of an outcast, even in my own ward. My life had basically ended, or so it felt. We didn't know what was going to happen or how we were going to make it through. How did we make it through? We made it because of the gospel. We made it through with priesthood blessings, prayer, service, (that we were given and the service that we gave.) and fasting. We grew together as a family. We all knew that we would see my grandfather again. We had been sealed for time and all eternity in the temple.

As for my sisters kids, well my aunt and uncle who couldn't have children(and had many adoptions fall through over years and years of attempts) were able to be sealed to them for time and all eternity. From these experiences, we gained a testimony of God's hand in our lives. We learned to trust in the Lord and his timing.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Miracle 31: A Missing Aerator Plug

This simple, but powerful miracle is from a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who is also serving in Jacksonville with me. He's from the lovely state of Utah.


My friend and I would aerate lawns to make some extra money. On the aerator there is a tank full of water to weigh it down so the machine will actually work. Well the small plug that keeps all the water in that is about the size of the dirt plugs that the machine pulls out of the yard. So after one job I noticed water leaking from my aerator. The small plug had come out somewhere and we had just been to 3 different houses. So we searched the lawns that were covered in dirt plugs that were about the same size as the plug for the machine. I called my mom (because I did not want to call my dad and tell him I broke his machine) and asked if there was anything I could do. She asked if we had said a prayer to find the plug. After talking to her, my friend and I said a prayer so we could find the missing plug. We went back to the lawn we had just done and my friend asked if I had looked in the corner of the yard next to the fence. I told him yes and that it couldn't possibly be there. But we decided to look anyway and the first leaf my friend turned over, he found the plug we were looking for. It was a huge miracle for me at that time because I knew that God cared enough about me to answer our simple prayer for an aerator plug. I know that God loves us so much and will bless us as we seek his help.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Friday, November 22, 2013

Miracle 30: A Simple Answer to Prayer

I've got a special place in my heart for this miracle. I'm so grateful for answers to prayers, especially in the lives of those I love much too much.


My best friend was an energy pirate (in other words...she talks like crazy). She would not shut up and I wanted to strangle her. The missionaries said a prayer for me to help deal with her in a nice way and us not kill each other. I'll be darned because the next day at work ... she was happy and quiet!! 


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Miracle 29: Short and Sweet

This lovely miracle is from a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Georgia.


Well I got what you would call a miracle! I didn't know a whole lot about the gospel at the time and I prayed to Heavenly Father. I wanted Him to send me someone that would teach me about the gospel. And Heavenly Father sent me the missionaries to help me learn about the gospel and to get baptized.


There can be miracles when you believe in God. 

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.   

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Miracle 27: A Miraculous Father-Daughter Bond

My darling missionary companion here in Jacksonville is amazing. And her dad wrote all about how her birth and even the rest of her life has been a miracle in their lives. I absolutely love it.


One miracle is your companion Sister Hibpshman. She has had to fight from the time she was born.She was born premature weighing in at 2 lbs 14 oz. She has been a true "Child of God" from the time of her birth. She was able to breath on her own at her birth. most premature babies can't and have to be on a respirator. That fight has been there ever since. I met her Mom and her 10 years ago. Ever since I met Deanna there has been a connection between us. She was the first to accept me as I started dating her mom. She has always had a testimony of the church. When you are around her you can feel the spirit that she has. She has always wanted to go on a mission and now she is on a mission. As teens grow up they get pulled in several directions, tempted with drugs, alcohol, sex, and who knows what and I am grateful that she has never wavered. I could go on and on about Deanna, but I won't. I am so so blessed to have Deanna in my life. We may not be Father & Daughter by birth, but she is my daughter by the bond of our Heart and by the Hands of God.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Miracle 26: Saved By a Quarter Inch

I personally am oh so grateful for this miracle. Without it, my darling fam bam wouldn't be here. Here's a miracle from my father.

During the summer of 1968 before entering 4th grade, I had many friends in my south San Jose neighborhood.  On this warm, week-day morning, I rode my bike a couple of blocks away to play with one friend who had two dogs - one was a pregnant German Sheppard.  We were on the front porch playing and the pregnant dog was with us.  I remember wrestling with my friend and having the dog at my eye level.  You need to know that I was not a dog person then (or now), so I was not comfortable around big dogs.  We started petting her and I made a quick move toward her as if to hug her.  She growled and I then began to recoil backward in fear.  Because I was a stranger and I moved too quickly I suppose, she reached out bit my exposed neck!  I now had puncture wounds across my throat.  I was scared and probably in shock.  My friend offered to get his mother, but I said I needed to go home.  I had blood on my neck and on my t-shirt.  I rode the long two blocks home, which may have been just 600 yards.  I was scared, probably crying and had no idea what just happened.  Upon reaching home and dropping my bike on the front sidewalk, my mom heard my shouts as I ran into the house and nearly fainted when she saw my punctured neck and t-shirt with blood on it.  She immediately drove me to the doctor.  I don’t remember much of the car ride or receiving stitches in 3 places on my neck, but what I do remember was the Doctor telling my Mom that I was lucky to be alive.  Another quarter inch one way would have punctured a vein.  The trickle of blood may have been a flow that could have been an early end to my life.  Certainly, a tender mercy from Heavenly Father when you consider I needed stitches in several places on my neck.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who watched over me that day.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  
 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Miracle 25: Sisters Surviving the Typhoon

I usually wouldn't post a miracle that hadn't been written specifically for this blog, but this story was too amazing not to pass on. God is so aware of us and performing miracles all over the world, even in the darkest of moments. Follow this link and you can read the story about 10 sister missionaries surviving the typhoon in the Philippines.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Miracle 24: Lost and Found

This lovely miracle is from a couple living in Utah. Meet Alison and Robert and their baby girl Abigail.


Robert has lost his wedding ring twice in the past month. The first time he found it in the grass outside the Talmage building on BYU campus where he had been playing hacky sack a couple days before. It was a miracle. The second time he lost it for over a week. He looked everywhere and couldn't find it. Then one day he was looking for something else in our bedroom and he found his ring hiding in between our bed and Abigail's bassinet. We don't know how it would have gotten there. I think Heavenly Father put it there in answer to our prayers.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Miracle 23: The Power of an Everyday Miracle

It's my turn to share another miracle with the world. I have been loving collecting miracles from so many incredible people. It's truly been inspiring. I've noticed that so many of these miracles are all about the big miracles in our lives. Today I wanted to write about a simple miracle that helps me feel God's hand in every single day of my life. I sincerely hope this helps open all of our eyes to how powerful the simple miracles are.


My companion and I go to the library almost every single day. We spend quite a lot of time in the lovely Jacksonville Public Library doing missionary work over Facebook and of course, with this blog. About a month ago, the thought came to talk to a man we see there quite often, but I pushed the thought aside and kept walking. A couple days later the thought came again and luckily, I was paying attention and listened. After just a few minutes talking to this man, I felt instantly connected to him. His love of God, his genuine kindness, and his ability to brighten everyone's day was stunning. Since that day, we've become dear friends. He wrote one of my favorite miracles yet and I don't know quite how he does it, but no matter how hard my day has been, he is able to put a smile on my face as we walk in the library. Often as missionaries, we encounter lots of people who, let's just say, don't love talking to us. Sometimes it's a bit disheartening, but then God's hand is at work and someone like Junius is there to pick my spirits back up again. I love how incredibly powerful God's simple everyday miracles are. He truly is aware of us in our biggest trials, but also in our day to day trials as well.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Friday, November 15, 2013

Miracle 22: The Blessings of a Mother's Brain Surgery

The darling daughter that wrote this miracle is a senior in high school in Georgia.


My mom was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was around 7 years old. Throughout these years she lived a rough life going to school, having seizures, having them at work, and at home where her children were. In the year of 2005 she had brain surgery to help her get rid of her epilepsy, and it worked! She risked brain surgery for a better, safe life. She is now clean free of seizures, and I thank the Lord for that very much. I'm so glad that I have my mom in my life, I don't know what I would do without her!


There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Miracle 21: An Answer in the 11th Hour

This inspiring miracle is from a mother of four boys living in Georgia. I adore her.


My husband was serving in the army in upstate New York when he discovered that his unit would have to go to Bosnia for a year of duty. We were anxious and discouraged because the date he would have to leave was only 2 weeks after our second son was due to be born. My husband did everything he physically could do to find someone else to take his place. He petitioned everyone of his higher ranking officers. Most importantly, we fasted and prayed and prayed some more that Heavenly Father would intervene. We felt strongly that him leaving for a year would be detrimental to our family. As the date approached, we grew more frantic, but tried to trust in the Lord and His will for our family. The day before he was scheduled to leave, bags packed, a young soldier transferred to his unit. Not only was he willing to take my husband's place, but he was eager to get the extra pay. He didn't have a family nor any other commitments.

This event was truly a miracle in our family. It taught us several things: The Lord loves us and is aware of our situations and knows us perfectly. Second, sometimes the Lord tests us and the answer doesn't come until the 11th hour. I know God lives and loves us and is aware of our every need and the desires of our hearts.



There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Miracle 20: Publishing Miracle

This awe-inspiring miracle is from a fellow missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in Jacksonville as well.


Before I served my mission, I wrote a book that was a collection of inspired dreams turned into a novel. As if that wasn't enough, I prayed and fasted for a long time, nearly six months. Now, within the last month, I have learned from my parents that the book has just been published, while I'm out here serving for two years of my life on a mission. I'm only twenty, for crying out loud!

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Miracle 19: Miracle Baby

Another powerful miracle from my darling mom.


Our first son was born on May 8, 1990.  His birth was not an easy one for when the doctor broke my water, Ryan floated out of the birth canal and became transverse.  After two ultrasounds and the urgent consideration of a C-section, his head along with his hand were in the birth canal.  After an epidural and more maneuvering, Dr. Baroff moved his hand away from his head.  With careful watch of his heart rate and  head, he finally was born.  Quite a stir was made when he poked his head out because the water previously showed meconium and we didn't want him to have swallowed any.  Fortunately, he didn't and after some suctioning, he was swept up and checked all over.  Everything seemed to be great.  Ryan Scott Hutchins weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces, measured 22 inches long, and had dark hair.  He was a cutie just like his daddy!

What we did not know but later discovered after our friend Kellie came to see Ryan and did not find him with me nor in the nursery is that he was still in for more bumps in the road.  It is not by chance that we had an ICU nurse in Ryan's nursery that day who noticed he was having trouble sucking so as she was checking him further, she decided his pediatric doctor needed to see him.  The doctor ordered further tests and learned that Ryan had had a cerebral hemorrhage.  Ryan was given a blessing by our home teachers and rushed in an ambulance from John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek to Oakland Children's Hospital with Grandpa Russ and Daddy following in a car behind.  That night was the longest night of my life, hearing babies cry, and Ryan not beside me.

The next day I was released and my husband and I stayed by Ryan's side that long week with our sweet family and friends taking care of our other daughters so they would not worry.  On the morning Ryan was to have a shunt put in his head, the spinal fluid that had been blocked began to dissipate and the surgery was not needed.  Ryan became jaundiced, but he was going to be okay.  The neurosurgeon said he may have fine motor skill problems, but other than that he would be great.  Ryan is our miracle baby!

There can be miracles when you believe in God.


Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Miracle 18: The Power of Prayer

A woman I love and admire more than words can describe shared this incredible miracle:


I was unwilling to believe I was worthy of gods love ,and loving myself. The sister missionaries came to my house and offered to pray with me. The next morning I felt different. I no longer felt absolute hatred for myself. After 32 years of feeling unworthy of God's love and forgiveness, I was able to be at peace and not judge myself. I was able to truly forgive myself. Sometimes the Lord shows up at our doorsteps in the form of missionaries, neighbors, or even strangers. They were my miracles. Sister Hutchins and Sister Hipster as we like to call her.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Miracle 17: Blessings of Tithing

This lovely miracle of tithing is written by a fellow missionary serving in Jacksonville.


When my parents were newly-married college students, they were pretty poor. In fact, one day, they found themselves with only $100 left and literally no food in the house. As my mom was about to leave to go grocery shopping, she realized that they hadn't paid tithing yet. When she and my dad (who works as an artist and generally has no steady income) figured how much they needed to pay, the amount came to $100. So, they were faced with a decision: pay tithing, or starve. After thought and prayer, they put their faith in the Lord and paid their tithing. They then started to fast, because there was nothing else they could really do. The next day, my dad received a call from an art museum. They'd decided to purchase one of his sketches; the amount of the sale was $100. With this story, our parents have instilled within us a testimony that God answers prayers and blesses us when we have the faith to follow his commandments.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.


Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.  

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Miracle 16: Small, But Miraculous

This incredible miracle is for all those newly-weds out there. 

My husband and I needed to move from the place we'd been living and had spent some time looking for options. None seemed right and we were financially unable to afford any of them. On a whim we decided to visit a brand new complex which was near my office, knowing it was (like the others) out of our grasp. As we toured, an excitement was sparked and we felt that is was the place we needed to move. We applied and were accepted and then I felt torn. How were we actually going to afford moving out of our current location? We knew we had to move but just couldn't see how it would be possible. In faith, we signed the lease and I went back and forth between excitement and faith and fear. My husband was in school and unable to work so I was the sole monetary provider. My husband, seeing our extreme need, began calling the people in his phone contacts list that lived in our area. He called person after person after person! He decided to call a man who had offered him a summer job for the next year (7 months away). In the course of conversation, he suggested a possibility and gave him the owner's name and number. Within an hour, my husband had a job! Not just a job, but a great paying one that began immediately and was flexible with his school schedule. I literally had left the house for a meeting and came home to find out my husband had a job! Miracles do happen because God loves us and will help us as we follow Him faithfully! I could share many more stories but sometimes it's the seemingly small and coincidental miracles that are the most miraculous.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.



Miracle 15: Moments of Clarity

A very wise man we met this last week shared this lovely miracle with us! He has always personally believed that tattoos are not meant to be on our bodies.


One long weekend about 15 years ago when I lived alone, it was Bike week time. I headed out to Daytona, one of my all time favorite places to go. I love motorcycles. Through the course of the first day I really over drank and should have not been on four wheels much less two. As the night got late I decided to get a tattoo on my body (I guess its really true-demons live inside of bottles). I had already paid the money and was in the chair ready to get my tattoo. As wasted as I was, I closed my eyes and did not like what I saw. I opened my eyes stoned cold sober and said that I had made a mistake and changed my mind. As with life some of the decisions we make are permanent. You just can't change them, but it's never too late. The longer you wait the chances of getting a window seat are slim!

There can be miracles when you believe in God.



Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins or like the When You Believe in God Facebook page! I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.


Monday, November 11, 2013

Miracle 14: Just Keep Swimming...

I adore my brother a whole lot. Here's a shout out to my favorite 23-year-old: I love you Ry Ry.


Miracles are small, yet significant depending on how you look at the event. The miracle I want to share with you did not happen in a single moment, but spans over a year.

I began my senior year at Brigham Young University with high hopes. I was a top student in the finance program and I thought I could obtain any job. I quickly learned that that was not the case. I spent fall semester and the first couple of months of the new year interviewing with no offers. When in doubt, always have a backup plan. My backup plan was to attend a four-month intensive accounting program in San Jose, CA. This program came equipped with challenges, joy, doubt, and of course, knowledge.

My program came to an end and the dreadful recruiting season began. Except this time, I was prepared. I knew exactly what recruiters and employers wanted to hear. I felt golden. This feeling coupled with my friendships in my stake lead me to my first job offer. I was ecstatic and overwhelmed at the same time.
I learned through this experience that Heavenly Father cares about His children. All we need to do is pray and ask for His help. This miracle of mine has also shown me that the harder I work the more I can obtain. Keep working and never give up. Always rely on the Lord because He loves His children no matter where they are along the path of life.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

Miracle 13: Change of Heart

Definitely a powerful miracle that needs to be shared with the world. The wisdom this dear friend has to share is inspiring.


I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who is so eager to love and bless us and show that love to us in very real and significant ways. My miracle begins sometime in 2003. At this point in my life I was between my junior and senior year of high school and everything was going great until one thing led to another and my world was completely rocked. Without disclosing too much personal information that could be hurtful to my loved ones if divulged, my family was betrayed and deeply hurt. I did not know where to turn, or who to turn to because everyone in my family was struggling as I was. I found great solace and love from my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ during this time, and that in and of itself became a series of many incredible miracles in my life.


The miracle I would like to tell about however is one of healing and forgiving others. A little more than a year later the initial dust had settled from the hurt that had been so catastrophic in my teenage life. At this point I was getting ready to leave on a proselyting mission for my church and escape from the drama that had surrounded me for the previous year or so. Not long after getting to Chile where I would serve my mission I received news that this person who had hurt my family so deeply had come back into our lives and was in the picture to stay. I was crushed. I felt great anger, bitterness, distrust, rage and frustration. I could not believe this was happening and all of the healing and progress that had taken place in my life since then seemed to be undone in that very moment. I was at a loss as to what to do. A few days after receiving this news I was contemplating the situation during my scripture study and out of nowhere received very clear, divine inspiration as to what I was supposed to do. A specific scripture came to my mind as clear as day and I knew my Heavenly Father was reaching out and helping me know what I must do. The scripture was Doctrine and Covenants 64:10 which says, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” Without a shadow of a doubt I knew that God was calling me to repentance, that I needed to let go of my hurt and bitterness and that I must learn to truly forgive this person who had caused my family such grief and pain. I was at a complete loss, how could I ever rid myself of these terrible feelings for another who had wronged me and forgive them for what had been done?

I spent a large amount of energy over the next while seeking to better understand the value of each of God’s children, His love for each of us, and this command to forgive all. During this time I offered many heartfelt prayers, pleading with my God to help me learn forgiveness and allowing me to heal from this terrible heartache. While it did not come immediately, with time and great effort, I was able to find peace in my heart and feel that I have fully forgiven this person in my life. Since that time I have had the chance to get to know this person on a very personal basis. We have established a very pleasant and now welcome relationship of trust and love and I no longer harbor feelings of bitterness and resentment towards them. This is a huge miracle in my life brought about by the power and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven and my Savior, without whom I could have never had such a change of heart in my life. The power of God is real. Through His great love, through His help and the strength and grace our Savior offers us, incredible things, even miraculous things, can come to pass in our lives or anyone else’s if we will but trust Them and sincerely seek Their help.

There can be miracles when we believe in God.


Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Miracle 12: An Instrument in His Hands

This incredible miracle is from a 24-year-old college student living in Utah.


While I was serving an LDS mission to the beautiful islands of Hawaii my mother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The doctors gave her about a 20 percent chance of living. My mother thought it would be best not to tell me about her condition until a few days before her surgery. Needless to say, I was pretty distraught. Never had I felt so helpless. I wanted to be with my family more than ever, to comfort my mother in her hour of need. Yet, through it all, I knew I was where I needed to be. The night before the surgery my companion gave me a priesthood blessing and reassured me that everything was going to be well with my mother. My companion agreed to fast with me the next day to petition the Lord to spare my mother if it be his will. I knew that my family at home was also fasting and it was nice to know that we would all be united in the same purpose.

As the day of her surgery came and went I heard nothing from my family. The next day I received a phone call from a close family friend that was living on Oahu at the time. She had said that the surgery went well and that my mother was recovering beautifully. A few days later I received an email from my mother recounting the events of what had happened the day of her surgery.

The doctors informed her that they would need to place little stents into her heart valves to make it so blood could flow more easily to the heart. It was a risky procedure but the doctors felt that this was the best option. The procedure went longer than planned and my family was really starting to worry. After what felt like years the doctor finally came out to my family in the waiting room. He spoke of how they had hit a blockage in one of my mother’s heart valves and that after two hours of trying they were about to give up. As the doctor was telling this story he paused, eyes glistening and said, “I don’t really believe in God or divine intervention for that matter. But, for two hours we had been working on your mother and nothing was happening. Just as we were about to give up it felt as if someone else was guiding my hands. I can’t explain it, but as this was happening we were able to break through the blockage and place the last heart stent to your mother’s main artery.”

The doctor may not have believed in God, or may not be able to explain what had happened, but I knew. The Savior is referred to as the Master Healer, the Great Physician. At that moment Heavenly Father was aware of a young missionary on the isles of the sea. He was mindful of my little family who was pleading with the Lord to spare the life of their beloved wife and mother. I know that prayer and fasting truly work, as we put our trust in God and in His timing we will be blessed for it. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that through the infinite atonement we can be cleansed from sin. We can be healed both physically and spiritually as we have faith and believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord knows every detail in the fabric of our lives and he will comfort and lift us when we need it the most. This scripture continued to come to my mind during all of this, I hope that it brings as much comfort to you as it did and still does to me: 3 Nephi 9:13-14.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.


Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

 

Miracle 11: No Such Thing As Coincidences

This miracle is from one of my dear friends working on Capital Hill in DC.


During my last six months on my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada, I didn't really teach anyone. I was an assistant to the mission president, and spent most of my time traveling and training. That having been said, I taught a girl named Megan in my second to last area (week I became an assistant I committed her to baptism). She was GOLDEN. Anyway, she eventually joined, went through the temple, and served a mission to Sweden. In her FIRST AREA, she found a distant relative of hers (like a second cousin twice removed or something weird). Anyway, she ends up teaching and baptizing her cousin. During her last transfer on the mission, she has the opportunity to take her cousin through the temple for her first time. How amazing is that? I just found out about this like a month ago, and it has totally changed my perception of my mission.

I am convinced, that the Lord sends us to specific places, to meet specific people, at very specific times. I do not believe in coincidence when it comes to Salvation. I believe that God is very aware of all of our needs, and every now and then, he allows us to glimpse into the eternities through other people.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Miracle 10: Brazil Milagre!

Miracles happen all over the world. And this lovely miracle is from a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in Brazil.


Desde que cheguei em minha nova área, percebi rapidamente que o grupo de ensino era muito pequeno. Para resolver isso, meu companheiro e eu decidimos ao procurar no livro de àrea para usar os antigos registros para encontrar novos pesquisadores. Existia tantas fichas que demorrou quase toda a manha para ler cada um e escolher algumas que apareceram boas. Com esta lista nas mãos fomos para almocar. Nos caminhamos um pouco quando o nome, ``Ana´´ entrou a minha mente. Eu parei e falei para meu companheiro que precisavamos voltar para nossa casa. Ele me perguntou por que mas só falei para ele a confiar em mim. Quando chegamos em casa eu falei para ele que precisamos encontrar um registro com o nome Ana. Mais uma vez ele me perguntou por que e mais uma vez falei para ele a confiar em mim. Depois passando muito tempo nos encontramos o nome e gravei o endereço. Depois almoço fomos para este endereço. Quando chegamos e batemos a porta, uma mulher saiu da casa com lagrimas nos olhos dela. Depois entrando e conversando com ela um pouco aprendemos que ele já tinha ensinado pelos missionários faz muitos anos e que ela estava passando por muitas difficuldades. Chegou ao um ponto que ele estava pensando em tirar a vida dela. Deixamos uma mensagem com ela e ela falou que ela iria mudar e ficou muito grato por nós e também nosso Pai Celestial em ter atendido as orações dela. Realmente aprendi que Ele nos ouve e nos ama.

(English Translation)
Since I had just gotten into my new area and the last missionaries didn´t have a really big teaching pool, my companion and I decided to look through the area book and see what names were there. There were hundreds and hundreds of records and we went through them all, every single one. It got to a point where we started cleaning the records out, so that in the future it would be easier to find more recent records. The old records we placed in another folder and put it there to be forgotten. After selecting some names we decided to head out and find these names. After walking away from the house for a bit, the name of Ana came to my head and I told my companion that we needed to go back home. He asked why, but I told him to just trust me. We get home and I tell him, there is a old record here with the name Ana and we need to find it. He asked me how I knew but I told him just to trust me once again. After spending more time looking just for this name we finally found it and I wrote down the address. My companion continued to pepper me with questions but I asked him just to trust. We arrived to the house that was written down and we find an older lady who ran out from the house crying when she saw us. She told us with tears running down her face that she had prayed to the Lord to help her as her life had taken a turn for the worst and she was even thinking of taking her own life. She had met with the missionaries years ago but hadn´t really taken any steps to follow the gospel. She readily accepted our invitation to read the Book of Mormon again and she even went to church on Sunday. The Lord answers prayers and He uses His children to answer them. That I have a firm testimony of. 

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Miracle 8 & 9: Family Miracles

My cute father has two miracles to share with the world!

Miracle 8:

Our family has a listing of what we call the 10 miracles. One of those occurred on a winter’s night about 25 years ago.  My wife had bronchitis and was taking cough medicine to suppress the cough so she could sleep.  At 2:30am, she had gotten up to take another dose.  I am a sound sleeper and if I can fall asleep ahead of my wife, I will sleep soundly until 4am when I am more susceptible to noise.  On this early morning, I was awakened with a vivid picture in my mind of a sharp steak knife plunging through my wife’s hand!  Immediately, I yelled to Charlotte to “put the knife down now.”  My wife came to the bedroom to ask how I knew she had a knife in her hand.  I told her the picture I had seen in my mind.  She did have a steak knife in her hand trying to pry one of those “depress and turn” prescription lids off which was sticky with cough syrup.  The Holy Ghost does speak to us and put impressions in our minds!


Miracle 9:

After returning from my two year LDS mission, I eventually began asking Heavenly Father each day whom I should marry.  At the time, I was spending time with three wonderful women who I could have been very happy marrying.  One was a returned missionary who served with me in my mission in Oregon, another was a girl I dated while living in New Jersey during my senior year of high school (she had a fantastic mother) and Charlotte - the girl I married, whom I dated during my junior year of high school.  At the time, I liked all three girls, but none of them seemed to be the right one.  I now know that two of them were praying about me as a possible husband.  One night in late November, while studying for a college mid-term with Charlotte, I was listening to her talk about a subject when the Holy Ghost overcame me.  The feeling started in my heart and soon filled my body.  I knew the prompting of the spirit and I could not doubt His message.  I could not speak.  Tears filled my eyes as I gazed at Charlotte.  She asked me if I was okay.  For a time, I tried to say something, but could not.  I finally got my composure and told her that we needed to spend more time together.  We were engaged 10 days later.  From that moment on, I knew Charlotte was the one I was to marry.  Moral of the story – expect an answer to your prayers.  Keep asking for guidance.  I talked with Heavenly Father about marriage in my daily prayers.  I asked for guidance and to know who I should marry.  Heavenly Father waited to answer my prayers until the time was right for me.  Everything fell into place after that.  I have a testimony that prayers are answered.


There can be miracles when you believe in God.


Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Miracle 7: The Reminder of an Olive Leaf

Alright dear world, it is my turn to share another miracle.

We've recently began teaching a darling woman named Cynthia about our beliefs. Yesterday she sent us a text that said she was ready to give up. In other words, she's been contemplating suicide more and more in the past few days. In the past year, this woman has been through two brain surgeries and her entire world has been flipped upside down. Immediately after receiving the text, Sister Hibpshman and I got on our knees and prayed for guidance on how we could help. We decided to go over to see this woman hoping we could help.

With Cynthia laying in her bed, we sat cross legged on the floor of her bedroom talking with her. We began teaching a lesson about our Savior, Jesus Christ. So often we only focus on the part of the Atonement that covers our sins, but we wanted her to know that Christ's suffering in Gethsemane covered SO much more than that. Our Savior experienced and understands each of our pains, sicknesses, emotions, trials, and burdens. I then felt inspired to tell Cynthia about my experience in the garden of Gethsemane six months ago on my study abroad to Jerusalem with BYU. I testified of the knowledge I gained while sitting in that incredible place. I told her about the reality of our Savior and how I knew that He knows exactly how she is feeling. I pulled out the olive leaves I have pressed in my scriptures that the gardener gave us from the garden and pulled off a leaf. I told her that in the moments she doubted, all she needed to do was hold on to that leaf. Jesus Christ lived and died for each one of us. He is real. He knows her. I told Cynthia that this leaf can be a reminder for her. As she held tightly to that leaf, tears began to fall down her face. Sister Hibpshman and I began to sing a few hymns just like we did in the Garden of Gethsemane when I was there and just let that beautiful spirit fill the room.

We then handed darling Cynthia a Book of Mormon, testifying to her that in our darkest moments...this book gives us the strength to carry on. She finally opened up and agreed to read it. And guess what? That olive tree leaf is now her book mark in that Book of Mormon. Oh my word...I love this woman. I love our Savior Jesus Christ and the hope He gives each one of us. And I love that I can share these incredible experiences in Jerusalem with other people and help them feel of the reality of Jesus Christ. It is truly a miracle when God can take your personal experiences and help you use them to bless another, especially in their darkest moments.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Sister Hutchins

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Miracle 6: The Power of Blessings

A darling older woman in my church has agreed to let me tell her lovely miracle for the world to see. Enjoy!

Cherie is one of the strongest women I know. She's stubborn and determined to do everything herself, but she has the biggest Southern heart around. Sadly, she has congestive heart failure, serious migraines, and a host of other medical problems. Through a recent tragedy, her bank account was wiped clean and life has seemed pretty insurmountable. She spent 9 straight days without electricity because she didn't have the money to pay for it. It was during that time, that our darling friend asked us to help her get a blessing. A couple days later we went over to her home with two priesthood holders ready to give her a blessing. With that added measure of the spirit left with her, miracles began happening. In the days following, she was able to have her electricity turned back on, she was able to forget herself for a little bit and serve others by sharing what little she had left with her neighbors, and two kind men fixed her flat tire for her.

All in all, these answers to prayer were simple, but they were everything Cherie needed to be reminded that God is always aware of each and every one of us.

There can be miracles when you believe in God.

Have a miracle to share? Find me on Facebook: Sister-Jenessa Hutchins. I would love nothing more than to share your miracles with the world.