Today we’d like to introduce you to Destini Hill.
Hi Destini , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Story: In God’s Hands
My name is Destini Hill. I am a 29-year-old wife, mother, registered nurse, Bible study leader, and, most importantly, a follower of Christ.
I grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and moved around quite a bit as a child. I graduated from high school at just 17 years old and received a full academic scholarship to Lake Michigan College. During my first semester, I took 17 credits and made the President’s List after maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
The very next semester, during my freshman year of college, I found out I was expecting my first child with my boyfriend. I was only 18 years old, uncertain about my future, and, honestly, disappointed in myself. I was raised in a Christian household by pastors, and I truly felt as though I had disappointed God and my parents.
The following school year, I had to give up my full scholarship, postpone my application to nursing school, and attend college part-time because of the birth of my baby girl.
But my story did not end there.
I had to step out on faith and believe in myself. With the support of my spouse, family, and close friends, I overcame the obstacles that came with becoming a teenage mother and continued pursuing my dream of becoming a registered nurse.
I took out student loans, and my then-boyfriend, who is now my husband, supported me financially throughout college. By the grace of God, I was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to complete my final year of nursing school. At 21 years old, I graduated with my Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, with my daughter and husband by my side.
One Bible verse that inspired me tremendously during that season was Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
No matter what my circumstances looked like, I knew God had a plan to prosper me and my family.
After graduation, life was amazing. I began working as a nurse, my husband and I purchased our first home, we traveled, and we truly enjoyed life together.
Then, in 2020, we welcomed our second bundle of joy.
The following year, God placed it on my husband’s heart to move our family to Austin, Texas. It was a huge leap of faith because we had no family, no jobs, and no real connections waiting for us in Austin. After visiting in April 2021, we decided to trust God and take the leap.
We packed up our lives, got in the car, and drove 17.5 hours to Austin with our 9-month-old and 5-year-old.
We had no family there. No jobs lined up. No familiar support system. We had our apartment, our cars, each other, and our faith.
Starting over in a brand-new city was extremely uncomfortable. But looking back, I realize that the uncomfortable season was exactly where God wanted us. He used that season to teach my husband and me how to lean on Him, trust Him, and trust each other.
Moving to Austin strengthened our faith, strengthened our marriage, and ultimately helped us grow financially as a family.
In 2023, my husband and I were baptized together. That same year, so many storms came into our lives, but those storms pushed me to take my faith more seriously. Instead of running from God, I began intentionally seeking Him. I wanted to know His character, understand His Word, and discover what He was calling me to do.
In 2024, I stepped into that calling and started my women’s Bible study, In God’s Hands.
In God’s Hands is an online Bible study community dedicated to helping women grow in their walk with Christ. I host Bible study once a week and organize a women’s retreat each year. Our first women’s retreat was held in July 2025, and I am so excited for our next retreat this September.
Through every season of my life, God has continued to show me just how good life can become when we completely surrender to Him.
When I look back at the 18-year-old girl who thought she had disappointed God and had ruined her future, I now see a woman whose story was never ruined. God was writing a story that I could not see yet.
Becoming a teenage mother did not disqualify me.
Losing my scholarship did not disqualify me.
Having to take a different path through college did not disqualify me.
Moving across the country with no guarantees did not disqualify me.
Every uncomfortable season prepared me for the woman I am today.
I am so grateful that God allowed me to experience these things—not because every season was easy, but because each one taught me to depend on Him more.
Today, I am a wife, mother, registered nurse, Bible study leader, and woman who is walking boldly in her faith and calling. I am grateful to share my story and testimony with other women because I know there is someone who may be looking at their current circumstances and thinking that their story is over.
It isn’t.
God is still writing it.
My prayer is that my story inspires you to truly depend on God, trust His timing, and allow Him to guide and lead you into righteousness. You may not understand what He is doing in your life right now, but you can trust that His plans are greater than anything you could imagine.
Keep your faith. Keep going. Keep trusting God.
Because when your life is truly In God’s Hands, you can trust that your story is in the hands of the One who already knows the ending.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. There have been many moments when I questioned myself, my decisions, and even what God was doing in my life.
One of my biggest struggles came when I found out I was pregnant at 18 years old during my freshman year of college. Like I mentioned before since I was raised in a Christian household I felt like I had disappointed God and my parents. I also had to give up my full academic scholarship, postpone my plans for nursing school, and attend college part-time after having my daughter. It was difficult watching the plans I had for myself change so quickly, but I had to learn that a setback did not mean God had abandoned me or that my future was over.
Another major challenge came when my husband and I decided to move our family from Michigan to Austin, Texas. We had no family, no jobs, and no established support system waiting for us. We packed up everything and drove 17.5 hours with our two young children, knowing very little about what our new life would look like. Starting over in a completely new city was uncomfortable and, at times, extremely challenging.
Looking back, I realize that the road wasn’t smooth because God was using every obstacle to prepare me for my purpose. The teenage pregnancy, the financial struggles, the changes in my education, moving across the country, and the storms we’ve experienced as a family all taught me to depend on God rather than my circumstances.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth—but I wouldn’t change the lessons I’ve learned along the way. God has shown me that what feels like a setback can actually be preparation for your calling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For work, I am a registered nurse in an acute care hospital setting, where I work on a medical-surgical floor. I have the privilege of caring for patients during some of the most vulnerable and challenging times in their lives. My role is to support them throughout their healing process, help them return to their baseline level of functioning, develop individualized care plans, and ensure they have a safe transition home or to their next level of care.
I am known for my kind spirit, compassion, and the genuine care I show to each of my patients. One of the things I am most proud of throughout my nursing career is receiving numerous awards and recognitions for the care I provide. I am also committed to continuously growing both personally and professionally, which led me to further my education and complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree last year.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I absolutely love Austin and truly enjoy living in a city that is constantly thriving, growing, and evolving. What I love most about Austin, though, is the people. From the moment we moved here, we have been met with so much kindness and warmth. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and the friendships we’ve made here have truly turned into family.
I also love Celebration Church in Georgetown. It’s such a beautiful church, and we have been blessed by the wonderful pastors and community there.
And of course, I have to mention the food! I absolutely love the food scene in Austin—and oh my goodness, the barbecue! It’s definitely one of my favorite things about living here.
As far as dislikes, I honestly don’t have many. If I had to choose one, it would probably be the traffic, especially after a long day. Other than that, I really love calling Austin home!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@destini_rn?_r=1&_t=ZP-99Gocu17jGp
- Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@destini_rn?_r=1&_t=ZP-99Gocu17jGp
