I had recently moved back out to western Canada, and was staying with my son and his family. They were happy to have me stay with them as long as I needed, so there was no pressure for me to move. But I knew it was time for me to find a place of my own, as I had been on the move for a while. At that point, I wasn't even sure if I should live in the west or go back to the east. But I had been praying and moving along with God's guidance and government, knowing that God had led me this far. And I had no doubt and no fear that I would have a clear-cut answer about what to do next.

Throughout my life, I have relied on God for answers to all sorts of challenges, from relationship difficulties, financial dilemmas, buying and selling homes, to finding a place to live. I've found that being still and listening to God always bring solutions and healing.

A Bible verse gave me direction: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps.46:10). This is what I endeavored to do.

I also found helpful what Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an everpresent help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment" (p. 307). I did not want to make any of my decisions based on fear, and was sure I couldn't when trusting in the present help of Love.

One Sunday morning, I awakened early and was praying and waiting for God to show me the way. I turned again to Miscellaneous Writings. One sentence stood out to me: "There is but one right Mind, and that one should and does govern man" (p. 59). I knew this was my answer. I reasoned that there was only one right place, one right home for me, and that because God was governing me, He was guiding me right to it.

Later that morning, a fellow church member, who knew about my situation, expressed this thought in a slightly different way. "You know," he said, "the right home is moving toward you." Looking back, you might say that this is what happened.

On Monday morning, I woke up with just one crystal-clear thought: "Go to Wood Lake." I had never been to this lake previously (which is in Winfield in the district of Lake Country), nor did I know that there would be any homes there. But I felt compelled to follow this direction. My daughter-in-law, Sue, drove me there. It was a blizzardy winter day with the first snowfall of the season, and it looked as if there would be no one around to even talk to and no one who knew of rental homes available in this area. But I continued to pray and listen for answers.

We drove to the end of a dirt road, where there were a few winterized summer homes. And there we saw a man standing outside of a little white cottage. We got out of the truck and asked him if he knew of any rentals there. He had a rather surprised look on his face. And he said he was just closing his place up, although he usually had someone to look after it throughout the winter. He then said, "You probably aren't going to believe this — but I will give you the place free of charge, if you'll just make sure the oil tank is full when we come back on May 15." This was October 31.

I did believe it. I was not surprised!

By the time I got back to my son's home, 15 minutes away, there was a phone message, saying the keys were waiting for me. I picked the keys up, and moved in the next day with my two suitcases of clothes. This was all that I had. The cottage was fully furnished with everything one would ever need — from pots and pans to beds, linens, and TV, DVD player, and stereo. I only had to buy my groceries.

What a blessing it is to know that we can expect immediate answers from God when we need them.

SANDRA BALDERSTON
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA