When I began to study Christian Science at age sixteen, I had an instantaneous healing of allergies (see Marshall Reddick, “My first healing,” Sentinel, August 12, 2024).

Later, however, my first year in college was an academic disaster. Because of my consistently low grades, I was put on probation and told that I would flunk out if I didn’t get my grades up the following year. Earlier, my high school counselor had predicted—based on tests I was given—that I wouldn’t do well in college. My parents, however, had insisted that I go, and my mother had suggested forestry school, since I love the outdoors. 

Although I did choose forestry as my major, I didn’t enjoy it because of all the science courses required. Everything discouraged and depressed me, and I was concerned that none of my dreams would come true.