It’s a new year and I’m with my son in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit in Santiago, Chile. Not exactly where I thought I’d start off the New Year! But I am here because of a miracle. No, not a miracle. Many, many miracles orchestrated far beforehand by an all-knowing God.
Go back to when Ammon left the USA to serve as a missionary in the southern tip of Chile, to tell the people about his faith in Jesus Christ and to share a pattern of living that would bring happiness. He received a blessing that his health would be protected.
Fast forward almost a year later to this Christmas, summer time in Chile. Our family gathered at our home in Utah to talk to Ammon on Skype, reminiscing about family memories and laughing at inside jokes. It was a thrill to “see” our son for the first time in almost a year, even if it was over the computer. He had a sunburned face, while we shivered in 25 degree freezing cold weather. He seemed to be doing well. I had asked about his health, and he had replied, “Don’t worry, Mom. The Lord will provide!”. He had 40 minutes to talk with us, and when the call ended, Ammon’s expression was frozen on our computer screen…
Three days later, in preparation for his workday ahead, Ammon and another missionary went jogging together in the remote island of Chiloe, where Ammon had been assigned just 8 days earlier. The village is progressing and a hospital was built there just four years ago. Ammon loves to run and was usually way out ahead but on this run, he began lagging behind, even slowed to a walk. His companion turned around just at the moment that he dramatically, almost in slow motion, collapsed to the ground. He thought Ammon was teasing him. Then he realized the awful truth. This was for real. Ammon’s companion raced back and held him in his arms as he went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. A Chilean woman whose daughter was being taught by the missionaries happened to be walking on the other side of the street and saw my son collapse. She had a cell phone and called the ambulance which arrived only 3 minutes later, a miracle that they are still discussing in a community of people who know the ambulance takes 20 minutes to arrive!
The ambulance crew resuscitated Ammon and headed for the hospital, when his heart arrested again and his breathing stopped. His companions arrived by taxi and rushed in to hear the doctor repeating, “No responde! No responde!” Distraught, his companions gave him a healing blessing. Suddenly, he began to move! A breathing tube kept him alive during the next few days and eventually through a life flight via “air ambulance” to the modern hospital in Santiago, the second best in South America. We reunited with him on Christmas morning, after 24 hours of harrowing worry, travel, praying, and no sleep, changing planes in Houston and Panama City.
There were no glittery packages, no carols and no decorated tree, but it was the very best Christmas gift we could ever ask for! Our son is alive! God works miracles! Hallelujah!
It was touch-and-go for days but finally Ammon is recovering, talking and laughing again! He is still plugged into monitors and the doctors are still puzzling at what caused a young, strong youth of just 20 years to suffer Sudden Death Syndrome. My husband and I wake up at dawn every morning and race to the hospital in a Chilean taxi (which is a dangerous journey!) and we spend the day helping Ammon to heal. We return to our borrowed apartment (via a generous American who has a second home in Chile) to prepare our dinner at 11 PM and drop exhausted into bed. We are so happy! What more could any parent ask than that their child be restored to life?
I believe in miracles! I do! We have seen more than I can enumerate. But just a few:
*we got passports renewed just a few months before, which enabled us to travel to Chile. Without passports, our son would have been without parents during this crisis.
*I had a book tucked into my bag unknowingly entitled Faith Unpuzzled containing scriptures on having faith. It gave me enormous comfort during that first long week in the hospital.
*God literally held a plane for us, far past its departure time, on our connecting flight to Panama City late on Christmas Eve. Had we missed that flight, it would have been a long, long time until we would have arrived in Santiago, due to the Christmas rush. We did everything in our power, and we ran, and we prayed and we exercised our faith as powerfully as we could . . . and God stopped the plane. I know He did! We were the very last passengers before the door was shut on a very delayed take-off.
What a wonderful perspective change a crisis brings! Family unity, love, kindness . . . these matter. There are so many things daily that we worry ourselves over that don’t matter much. I am learning so much, and I am so grateful! The very best gifts don’t come in pretty packages under the tree. If your child is breathing, and his heart is beating, rejoice! All is right!
“…whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ, it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth…”
{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so glad that Ammon is alive! Please tell us more about what Sudden Death Syndrome is, and if there a way to prevent this from happening to Ammon again. What a blessing that things worked out as they did so that you both can be with him. Tell him there are lots of people he doesn't even know praying for him. I also believe in miracles.
Praying for Ammon and your family. Thank you for taking the time to post during this busy time and remind us of the miracle and blessing of a heartbeat.
Diane,
My Prayers go out to you and your family. How miraculous. Thank you for sharing this with us. It helps to count our blessings and look for the good around us.
Thank you Father God for having mercy and grace upon this family who have blessed so many people by the encouragement they give to homeschooling families. Please give them wisdom and direction concerning the recovery and healing for their son Ammon. Amen.
Prayers for Ammon and your family! Thank you for taking the time to share these terrifying and miraculous events.
How frightening for your family! My family joins me in rejoicing with your family for the tender mercies & miracles that Heavenly Father has showered upon Ammon & your family. Please know of our prayers for God's choicest blessings for Ammon & your family. With love from Texas, Leslie Overton (Haley's Mom)
Praying for you.
Diane,
I have tears in my eyes and is not because of sadness but of JOY! We have an awesome God! And yes, thank you so much for sharing these wonderful miracles! We need to hear them more often so that we can give Our Lord thanks and praise! It also helps our lives align ourselves with Him. My family and I will keep you, your family and Ammon in our prayers for a prompt recovery and a deeper understading and direction in all of this.
This left me in tears. We lost a dear friend 16 months ago in a similar situation. He was only 16. Praise God that your son is here and recovering. As a parent, I do not take one day with my boys for granted. Each one is a blessing from God. Each day, each moment.
Diane and Family;
We are glad that Ammon is on the road to healing.
We will keep him and the whole family in our prayers.
God Bless
Collins Family
Dear Hopkins Family,
We are so happy to hear of this beautiful Christmas miracle! We will be praying for Ammon's continued strengthening and healing.
That hospital in Santiago would be the hospital where my dad was diagnosed with cancer in August 2010. He (along with my mom) was serving as the Area Medical Advisor for all of the missions in Chile. Within the church, it's a very small world.
Enjoy your time with Ammon and know that you are loved.
The Mulder Family
Wow! What a miracle! So glad he is recovering so well.
Kelly
So happy that Ammon is doing better! Take care!
Miracles always follow our missionaries (and lead them). I am so grateful Ammon is doing better, that you could be there, and that you recognize all the miracles along the way. Having a missionary serving in Bolivia, I'm always grateful to hear again how the Lord is watching over them as they do his work. Blessings to you and your family.
Praising God with you! I am so thankful that Ammon is doing better. What a scary thing for you. God is awesome!! Although, not as harrowing, our youngest has a dramatic birth story and we also felt like there were many miracles that God performed that night, Halloween night. Because of God's goodness and many mercies we chose to name him Elijah, to give God glory for his miraculous birth. I am so happy for you that Ammon is doing better!!!! God is good!
Kim in NC
Hopkins Family:
Hooray that Ammon is alive. We are so glad. No Christmas tragedy, just blessed relief and joy. And a little peek at your boy in less than two years (smile).
I also served my mission in Chile and was nearly killed by a train the first night in my first sector. It was pitch black, culture shock had numbed my brains, and I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. My companion screamed and jerked me off the tracks. As the train roared by pulling at my skirt- a close shave- I thought, " That almost hit me. Wouldn't my parents be sad if I'd died?"
Diane, a friend gave me your catalogue 13 years ago and you've been my mentor/ hero / friend/ support ever since. The oldest of my 6 is @ BYU on scholarship. That quieted my critics.
Thank you more than I can say,
Kathleen Campbell in Florida
Hopkins Family:
Hooray that Ammon is alive. We are so glad. No Christmas tragedy, just blessed relief and joy. And a little peek at your boy in less than two years (smile).
Diane, a friend gave me your catalogue 13 years ago and you've been my mentor/ hero / friend/ support ever since. The oldest of my 6 is @ BYU on scholarship. That quieted my critics.
Thank you more than I can say,
Kathleen Campbell in Florida
Thank you for sharing and reminding me of miracles! I pray that you will continue in blessings and renewed strength and healing for Ammon!
Thanks for sharing these miracles! Our family will be praying for Ammon and your family.
Praying for you and your family and Ammon! I feel like we've watched him grow up through the years of pictures in your catalogs (Thank you! Love those photos of the kids growing!) and I know these miracles will not ever be forgotten! Lifting you all up to the Lord! Monique in TX, mom of 5 sweeties! (Thank you for the reminder that if everyone is breathing and their hearts are beating, to rejoice!)
If you believe in God…….you just have to believe in miracles. He said, "I change not." He is the same "yesterday, today and forever." What a mighty God we serve!
God is merciful, gracious and He heals. Thank you for sharing. I'm praying for your family. I always say over my children, "The hand of the Lord is so evidently upon them protecting them and aiding them." I believe this is true for your children because God is no respector of persons. Here's a big hug ((((( ))))))
Hi Diane
I just read you blog about your son. I am so very happy that you guys can be there at this important time.
But now I need you to solve a problem for me. I am not sure who you are, I thought you were Diane Hopkins, My Husband cousin, but you are too young, The Diane Hopkins I thought you were lives in Tenn. Are you related to her? Is she your Mom in law?
It funny because all along I thought you were her, until you said that you lived in Utah. Hope all goes will with your family and that your son make a speedy recovery. and they find out what happened to him. talk to you later.
God Bless you all, We'll keep you in our prayers.
Sincerely
Pam Haring
Dear Diane & family,
I'm so glad your son is alive. Glory to our Healing Father. I will pray for all of your family. Susan
by the way I believe in Miracles too.
I am so grateful to hear Ammon is ok. Have you looked at WPW–Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome. It is when a extra electric pathway sensor is present. It causes Instant Death Syndrome. My brother was diagnosed with it this last year and it sounds just like it. It is not something that they ,the Dr., get to fix often because it the people do not survive. It has been on my mind since I heard what happened. Might want to check it out. Our prayers are with you. Miracles happen to our missionaries.
Wow what a wonderful Christmas Present. It could have gone so many other ways! May Ammon recover quickly and may you have a safe journey home wrapped again in the arms of All you loved ones.
Thank you for sharing this story and strengthening my testimony. This is obviously part of Ammons mission! I'm sorry to hear of his suffering and wish him a full recovery. Thanks for your example!
My heart goes out to you. Sending you and your family virtual hugs.
We are praying for you Diane, Ammon, and your whole family. It is inspiring how you have chosen to see the miracles. Thank you for taking the time to let us know and please keep all of us updated.
Sending big, warm hugs and our prayers,
Marie in Canada
What a wonderful miracle. It is so amazing how our Heavenly Father knows all of his children so perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It is a blessing to read it. We wish your son a speedy recovery. Love from our family to yours.
Oh my goodness! I almost deleted the email of this blog post because I often don't have the time to read every blog I enjoy. But, something told me to open it…and I'm so glad I did. What a miracle, indeed! Praise Him that your son is alive and recovering!
We had a "different" kind of Christmas this year too. My grandma passed away just a week before Christmas, less than two years after her husband, my beloved grandfather, passed away. We spent Wednesday through Sunday the week before Christmas week caring for my grandma, gathering at her bedside, saying our good byes. Just two days before Christmas, we said our final good bye at her funeral. It was the hardest Christmas, but it also taught me a lot. I had been craving a simpler Christmas, wanting to focus on the real meaning instead of all the stuff. And suddenly – with one phone call – my perspective changed too. All the gifts under the tree, food preparations, family gatherings, and gift exchanges meant nothing anymore…all that mattered was Jesus, the One who came on Christmas day and will one day wipe away all our tears.
Hi Debbie,
They have tested his heart and he has no accessory pathways or arrhythmias (that they can find). I had 3 accessory pathways myself, so I thought it might be the case (genetics) but apparently not. It is still unknown what caused it. I hope they can discover it soon. So many tests! We cannot get back to the USA without some kind of defibrillulator.
Thanks for your prayers!
Diane
I was sad to read this. I have 3 sons and know how your heart must have broken! You seem to be filled with hope and faith which should help carry you through this tough time. Thank you for sharing you miracles with us. They still happen for sure! Continued blessings to Ammon and your family!!!
I will pray for your son. Our son was given an honorable medical release from his mission seven months ago — after six doctors and thousands of dollars, we still don't know what's wrong with him. He was serving in the Ft. Lauderdale, Spanish-speaking mission. I sure hope your son can get well and that you can be by his side. If anyone can pull through this, you can!
Dear Hopkins family,
My heart rejoices with you to hear your son is still here, with you. What a blessing–truly a miracle. I believe it, too! Our prayers will be with you. Please keep all of us informed. You have been my inspiration and mentor for years. I have five sons, and we will soon be starting the "missionary phase" of our lives. I know Heavenly Father has special protection for his stripling warriors. Way to fight, Ammon! We all love you.
Love,
The Ryans in Yakima, WA
Diane, thank you for this post! I have been following his progress on email, but this post was a perfect lesson in perspective and appreciation for what we have. Thanks again for the post and keep us posted – I look for the update each day. Now I'm off to hug my boys…
Sometimes an unrecognized infection (bacterial, viral, or parasitic) can wreak havoc on the heart. I hope they are testing him for low levels of infection.
Wow! Diane, I have tears of JOY for you and your family! What an amazing experience!
He is so blessed that his companion was right there when his collapse occurred! I'm so grateful his heart didn't stop when he was sleeping!
Have they tested him for carbon monoxide poisoning?
Praying for Ammon's health and for your family! My son has spent weeks in cardiac ICU during his 4 years. I'm hoping they are taking as good care of Ammon in that hospital as have taken here in Houston of my son. Praying for a defibrillator soon so that you can bring him home.
So glad that Ammon is alive and your prayers were answered. How very scary though!
This past year (2011) my 7 year old son was rushed to the hospital and had to have life saving surgery at 2am in the morning. It was so very scary at the time. He ended up staying 2 long weeks in the hospital afterwards. It was such a trying time but I too know that many prayers were answered and many blessings recived.
Kim
Diane,
Prayers are being offered from a Mom who has watched Ammon since he was a little boy grow up in your catalogs.
God Bless your family!
Jenny
Diane,
It's good to get the real story; to know that things are well and that you are at peace. We'd love to know what we can do for your family here at home.
Much Love and Many Prayers,
Holly
I loved to hear your son story and I am glad that you can be there with him. What a blessing!! I live in Utah, but I am from Ancud, Chiloe and your story made homesick. I am glad that the ambulance made it to your son so quickly. I will be praying for his soon recovery.
God Bless you,
Cristina
So glad to hear this again, Mom! Thanks for pointing out the miracles.
What a frightening experience. How incredible to read of the miracles that lined up to save his life, and allow you to be there. I hope the doctors can find the answers as to why it happened, and be able to help Ammon recover fully. Praying for your family!
Thank you for sharing….and for recognizing so many miracles. I hope everything gets figured out and that Ammon has a swift recovery. …hugs…
God Bless you and your family!
(((((((((((((((((((((Diane)))))))))))))))))))) I am praying for you and the family, you have done so much for us on LDFR for YEARS . Love you guys.