Dear Casa Friends,

I accordance with the non-denominational theme of the Casa de Santa Maria, we want to acknowledge the importance and sacredness of this time for our Jewish and Muslim friends.

October 2nd marks the end of the Jewish Holy time of Yom Kippur. It's our understanding that the ten days of Yom Kippur require focus on what changes are needed in each life, and how to bring those changes about. I'm sure our prayers are the same as yours, as stated by a Jewish friend of ours; in that those changes include major movement toward societal sanity, environmental responsibility, peace and non-violence, social justice, human rights, and promoting hope for all.

The religious observances of Ramadan occur throughout the entire Islamic (Lunar) calendar month. During Ramadan, it is our understanding that Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, and anger. This time of fasting is an act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast brings on a comfortable feeling of peace and calm.

How vitally important are the foundations of our varied spiritual beliefs to elevating spirituality throughout our neighborhoods, and throughout the world. Oh to recognize this in each religion, and in each heart.

Thank's to all of who have supported the Casa with your love, encouragement, emails and gifts last month. We received an anonymous donation of about 20 pounds of fabric for making Casa quilts and financial gifts toward construction of Mary's Garden. Many have purchased Casa T-Shirts, personal Mother Mary Messages as well as Spirit Guide Portraits.

Every little bit helps, since there is so much to be done to create this oasis of love and healing. We are so excited to be on this journey with you. We know that Mother Mary's Casa is your home as well as ours.

A special September thanks to:

Linda Patrick for her technical expertise with the Casa website.
Stuart Dean for contributing his editing skills.
Pat and Jody Pickett for visiting the Casa land all the way from North Carolina.
Sherry and Bill Schaffnit for the beautiful warm winter coat for Susan. (Just in time, and a great fit!)

We love your emails of encouragement and support. Keep them coming! If we failed to mention you, please call it to our attention. casadesantamaria@mac.com

Love & Hugs,
Susan & Milt

My Dearest Children...

Come to me and I will teach you of my Love. I will enter your heart and awaken you to the Love that has always surrounded you. I will teach you of your greatness, I will heal your broken heart.

Come to me and I will enter your life, and we will begin a journey to your heart. We will laugh and cry together. We will embrace each other whole-heartedly without judgment. Together we will love you completely, your joys and your sorrows. We will look into each other's heart and find Divinity.

Come into my embrace and you will find a Love so healing it will cause this world and its sorrows to fade into nothingness. I will show you that you are a child of God and that is all that matters.

My only desire for you is that you experience Love in all its majesty and glory, so that you may know that when I look upon you, all I see is Love.

Through her messenger
Susan Sanderford
Received 10/1/06

Hi Susan,
 
I just wanted to thank you SO MUCH for my beautiful message from Mother Mary. It is so personal; I truly believe she is helping to heal my heart.

I now feel like I have reconnected with my Spiritual Mother and I know she'll be able to help me heal my old wounds with the church. From there, I'll be able to help even more people with my life purpose.
 
I thank you again for your bravery in following your intuition and God's call. I'll keep you, Milt and your mission to build the Casa in my prayers. I look forward to keeping in touch and supporting your call.
 
Have a wonderful weekend, thanks to you both,

Annie B.

Soon we'll have someone clearing ground for the coming work to be done on Mary's Garden, a 300' oasis of welcome and beauty, free to all who visit the Casa in search of connecting with the Divine.

In a week or so, Susan and I will be on the Casa property, preparing for that process. Within that 300' circle there are many lovely cactus we don't want to have plowed over. That's the Stoop & Dig part of the title. We plan to save those for the eventual garden.

The Stoop & Pick refers to the hundreds upon hundreds of beautiful stones within that 300' circle. We don't want those plowed over either. They are so unique we feel led to eventually polish them for those folks who would like to have their own personal piece of the Casa.

Each polished gem will carry with it the healing energy that now resides on the Casa land. That has been promised to us by Jesus and Mary. (Yeah. Sure! heh heh.) (That was the Milt of about 12 years ago, reacting to that kind of talk, that kind of thinking, that kind of belief!)

Do we believe that today? Yep! So much so that two months ago we sold all and moved from an area we loved, and a climate in which we felt so comfortable, and away from heart-connected friends, to a place we initially detested, with a climate so foreign to our comfort ability level, and friends?

Forget it. From all reports, we were moving into a closed society of people who did not respond well to "outsiders."

Why? Jesus spoke, and we listened. Mary spoke, and we listened. It would have taken that much power and love to move us, and that's exactly what happened. What a cool journey!

Just say a prayer for this 74 year old body once we start the stoop, dig, up and stretch. stoop, pick, up and stretch.

You've heard of Tornado Alley. Well, here in San Luis, Colorado, we've landed smack dab in the middle of Rainbow Alley. Never have we seen so many rainbows in such a brief period of time.

September must be the month of these special promises of God. Not just "rainbows" either. Complete rainbows where you can see each end as it kisses the earth. And so high and so brilliant. All doubles — of course. These two pictures were taken through our kitchen window.

And what a backdrop to those beautiful rainbows. The snow capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Do we miss the beauty and energy of the Sedona, Arizona area? Of course we do. Do we feel equally connected with Spirit in the beauty we have found here in San Luis? Of course we do. Lesson! God is to be found all over the place. Enjoy where you are!

Casa Tote Bag

During the month of October for any donation to the Casa of $50 or more we will send you our specially designed, beautifully embroidered Casa de Santa Maria heavy duty Tote Bag. A great gift for yourself or others.

To receive your 12" x 14" x 4" canvas tote please visit CLICK HERE www.casadesantamaria.org to donate by credit card, or send your check to:

Casa de Santa Maria
P.O. Box 64
San Luis, CO 81152

Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. (shipping included) Each donation is tax deductible and will help in the creation of the Casa.

Tote offer expires 10/31/06.

The Casa de Santa Maria is a not-for-profit organization and currently exempt under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to:

Casa de Santa Maria • P.O. Box 64 • San Luis, CO 81152
Email: casadesantamaria@mac.com

Please feel free to share the Casa Newsletter, website or Mother Mary's Messages with others!