December 15, 2006

'Tiz the Season, Really, 'Tiz

Since the Casa de Santa Maria is a non-denominational spiritual oasis for those wishing to connect with the divine — Merry Christmas to all our Christian friends, and Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends, and to our Muslim friends, an honored Eid al-Fitr. To the Wiccans in our family, have a wonderful Winter Solstice observance.

Oy, I have a headache. Hundreds more religions yet to acknowledge.

Well, you get the idea. Please, let's celebrate each other, along with each other's faith. Let's celebrate the inherent goodness — the God we each have in our hearts. If we look for it — we'll find it! If we don't, we won't!

As a recovering Fundamentalist Christian, I prefer the approach handed down by Jesus when he proclaimed to his followers, "OK, gang, listen up, here's a NEW commandment I want you to learn and put into practice, "LOVE one another, even as fully and as deeply and as completely as I have love for you!"

"If you love me — then love one another! Even love your neighbor as you would love yourself!" You think He was talking just to Christians, about Christians? Think again...

Isn't that what it's all about? Love? It's hard to love when we're attacking, or fearful, or being judgmental, or overly thin-skinned, or carrying a superiority complex, and on and on. You know, Religion According To Man!

It's time for us all to get back to the basic tenet of all faiths. Love.

During the past month our Casa Prayer Partners have received about 25 requests for prayer, along with two reports as to how their prayers have had a positive and immediate effect on difficult situations.

We have been so blessed by our faithful Casa Prayer Partners. How about becoming one yourself? Here's how it works.

Let us know of your willingness to join in prayer for others. We'll add you to our mailing list of Casa Prayer Partners. Each time we receive a prayer request, we'll email it to you, along with any feedback we receive.

At that point you pray for those on our list. It's as simple as that. Email and let us know you'd like to become a member of the Casa Prayer Partner Team.

casadesantamaria@mac.com

As the holidays approach, here is a thought to help you cope with what are often emotionally difficult times.

Your Moment of Zen

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their
shoes.

An Early Holiday Gift From Elvis...

Susan has channeled Mother Mary's words for over a year now, both generic written messages to any willing to read, as well as very personal Mother Mary messages specific to the individual seeking Mary's personal recognition.

It has long been Susan's desire to voice channel Mother Mary's spoken words. For those of you not aware what voice channeling is, it involves the person developing the ability to "step aside," allowing the entity to literally speak through them while in a altered state.

My sense is, the ability to voice channel requires an almost perfect storm situation, whereby the vibrational energy of the two parties must be in complete sync, which includes the heart, mind and soul. Another component seems to be a desire on the channeler's part to be a willing messenger, and a conclusion on the entities part that the channeler has the qualities of a a pure vessel, worthy of acting as their representative.

(Mom always said I was a bit wordy!)

Where does Elvis come in? A month or so ago we received a recording a friend made of Elvis songs. "I channel Elvis!" was his bold proclamation. Yea, right we thought! Another delusional acquaintance. (How judgmental we are at times.)

But, now wait a minute. This was our dear friend Dan Stief, and to know Dan is to know his authenticity. (And the singing on the DVD did sound like Elvis!). Several weekends ago, Dan offered to do an Elvis channeling for Susan and me, with another dear friend in attendance, Linda Patrick.

It was fun and it was authentic. Our dear Dan indeed channels The King, Elvis Presley! Hey, why not. Elvis was a deeply spiritual and loving soul with a great gift of communication. So he got a bit messed up while on the earth plane. (Can any of us cast that first stone?)

During the conversation, Susan asked Elvis, "As to channeling, I've long wanted to channel Mother Mary's words, but I can't get to the point where it feels right!" To which Elvis replied, you have a pure heart, and the desire, let's start right now! As soon as our session is finished, you have three loving supporters here, and Mother Mary is standing by waiting!"

Susan almost fell off the sofa. Her eyes bugged out and she turned a whiter shade of pale. You see, yet another major component of channeling, especially of a spiritual icon, is this question of worthiness and the quality of high self esteem, or lack thereof. Elvis was saying, "Get over it — and just DO IT!"

As the wonderful Elvis stepped aside, all eyes turned to Susan with that look of WELL???. Like a trooper she sat in the rocking chair Dan had vacated. As her eyes closed, without hesitation Mother Mary's words flowed effortlessly with an encouragingl message of holiday love and hope.

Tears were streaming from Linda's eyes. (OK, mine as well.) Dan sat with his mouth wide open, his first words, "Yea, like this is the first time you've done this? I don't think so!

Thank you Elvis. What a beautiful gift you have given the Casa de Santa Maria. Yet another piece of the puzzle is now firmly in place.

As for you judgmental doubters, (not that there's anything wrong with that), Elvis is alive and well — and IN the building. Dan, thanks for your beautiful spirit, love and support. You and Elvis are truly brothers. Thank you — thank you very much!

Speaking of Gifts

San Luis, Colorado is one of the poorest counties in the country, no doubt that's one of the reasons Mother Mary chose this for the site of her Casa de Santa Maria.

Over the past few months, Susan and I have become friends with a young single mom who, indeed, has been very friendly and welcoming to us. We learned last week that Sarah doesn't have available funds to buy her 7-year old a Christmas gift.

Sarah's always so upbeat, but we could see the sadness in her eyes when we asked the generic, "All set for Christmas???" On the way home, Susan said, "I have my GAMEBOY that's not being used all that much. How about we give it to Sarah for her son?" A light bulb moment to be sure.

Just a few hours ago we gave the GAMEBOY to Sarah, and words can't begin to express her gratitude. "This will change my son's life!" Well, we've said all that to say this.

It's too late to collect for 2006 holiday gifts, but we're asking you to check through your home for any kind of toy that's not being used, and is in good shape. Mail it to us, and we'll put it to good use as a gift from the Casa to the youth of San Luis and surrounding area.

Dolls, board games, kids books, computer games, whatever. We can use them for local kids who are ill, going through a rough time, and we'll even enlist the local churches to put the toys to good use.

Our good friend, Greg Brown, the San Luis Police Chief, can also direct our attention to area needs. This will be a great way to bring a bit of joy into some lives, and also a wonderful way to introduce area folks to what the Casa is all about.

Send your lightly used toys or children's books to:

Casa de Santa Maria
c/o The Sanderfords
PO Box 64
200 Vega Street
San Luis, CO 81152

As the holidays approach, here is a thought to help you cope with what are often emotionally difficult times.

Your Holiday Bonus Moment of Zen

Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on
the same night...

Holiday Potpourri

As spirit often shares with us, so we'll pass it on to you — Love & Lighten Up!

Please know we remember you all in our prayers. We feel your love, your caring and your support. May your Holiday be filled with giving thanks and extending love. Till next time...

Susan & Milt Sanderford
San Luis, Colorado

PLEASE, if you would prefer not to receive our periodic CASA-GRAMS, just email us below. We know how it feels to receive unwanted emails.

casadesantamaria@mac.com

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