When I was a young girl, after my mother had passed on, my father became interested in Christian Science and enrolled me and my sisters in a Christian Science Sunday School. My teacher was a consecrated student and was able to impart to the pupils some of the fundamentals of Christian Science, for which I am very grateful. After finishing Sunday School at the age of twenty, and before I became a church member, I drifted enough to realize that the teachings of Christian Science were needed to stabilize my life. Shortly after I became a member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, I married. As the children came into our home, I began to study earnestly and to make the truths of Christian Science my own.

When one child was born, with Christian Science treatment, the attending physician told me to inform the practitioner that the baby's breathing was not normal. Much fear had to be overcome in my thinking, but through this practitioner's faithful work the child was well and has led a very active life, playing on a high school football team and hiking in rugged high altitude terrain.

The children attended Christian Science Sunday School and often had healing experiences through their own understanding and prayer. During these childhood years we also had many healings through the work of devoted practitioners. I cannot begin to be grateful enough for those dear workers.

When the children began to leave home, I had to overcome anxious thoughts for their safety and guidance, and I have learned to trust the Father of us all to care for them.

A recent experience was a milestone to me. One of the boys, still at home, had a semester break of about ten days and was home with some of his friends, who were also enjoying a few days' vacation. I left the house to do a brief errand, and when I returned, I saw that a car which belonged to one of the youngsters had run into a tree in front of the house. A group of people were standing around. I parked in our driveway and went into the house to see where the boys were. I found the house empty, but there was evidence of someone having come in injured.

In a minute the phone rang, and a nurse from the nearby medical center said our boy had been brought in badly hurt. I went there immediately, and another member of the family went to the wreck to see what was needed there. I was taken to the surgery and found my son lying on the table. He was conscious, but he presented a frightening picture. He had been alone in the car and had lost control. When he hit the tree, his head went through the safety glass of the windshield. A great quiet came to me, and I was able to speak calmly to the surgeon. I could see clearly that flesh and blood are not the true substance of God's man and that the belief in matter cannot hinder Truth's healing work. We declined shots, X rays, and so forth. The surgeon had been fearful of brain damage and shock because of head injuries and loss of blood. All these were seen and rejected quickly in our prayer as not true of God's creation. No medication was given, and the boy came home. A consecrated practitioner stood by and supported the family. The doctor lovingly commented that he had great respect for our way of healing.

There were no aftereffects. The wounds healed quickly. The doctor and the boy's friends commented on this. There were no headaches, no dizziness. The boy was back in school with no restrictions against active gym when the classes started. Other details relating to this experience were most harmoniously adjusted, and much was learned by the family.

The healing effect of an accident was only part of this experience. The boy gave Christian Science grateful credit. Prior to this he had been difficult to live with. With this healing his nature became subdued and softened, more thoughtful and considerate.

In this and many other experiences I am grateful for Christian Science, for Christ Jesus, for Mrs. Eddy, the teachers of Christian Science, the practitioners, and for every student of this saving religion.

(Mrs.) Genevieve Carstensen, La Canada, California