Susan's Story . . . Excerpts from Conversations With Mama by Milt and Susan Sanderford Eager to enjoy grazing the golden-years retirement pasture -- in 1995 Susan entered my life. A love story deserving a book in itself. (Which we've already begun!) Without question we gravitated to each other with major assistance from the Master Planner. Just a year and a half earlier Susan cried out to God to take over her unhappy life, teach her His Truth, then use her as He saw fit for His service. And boy, did He ever take her up on the offer -- on all counts. Suffice to say this 38-year old fundamentalist Christian was in for the ride of her life. Freed from a self-described oppressive marriage, her soul was also set free to soar. Well before our marriage, and even before the realization of our deeply rooted love for the other, as co-workers we quickly became best friends. The friendship was built upon a sincere mutual respect and liking for each other, leading to an eventual awareness of being honest to goodness soul mates. After four months as co-workers and friends, Susan came to work one morning and proclaimed my love for her. That's right. She discovered her love for me on January 16, and announced my love for her on the 17th. It was meant to evolve in just that manner. Strange? Perhaps. Let's say, different! In truth, because of her past negative relationship experiences, it was in God's order that Susan be the discoverer and the proclaimer of our love. And so it was. It was just prior to discovering the deep love between us that Susan's introduction to the world of spirit began. After wondering aloud how her deceased grandfather was, and where he was, that night Susan dreamt about him. He showed her he was doing great and enjoying his life in spirit. Asking her if it was a dream -- or was it actually her grandfather actually making contact with her to answer her questions, the metaphysical was opened up to Susan. At this point I shared with her my experience with Mary Jane and Hester, and handed her Thomas Sugrue's book, There Is A River. Hester B. Jackson was a Virginia Beach trance medium who reunited me with my deceased wife Mary Jane. A serious skeptic prior to that experience, the reunion left me with no doubt that it was Mary Jane with whom I connecetd, and the message was loud and clear. We do not die! Our soul lives on within a different dimension and we do remain in a state of constant availability when we are needed to bring comfort or enlightenment to another. Hester and I became the best of friends after that first meeting. In a subsequent reading her guide Chief Lone Hawk shared with me that one day Hester and I would be working together. Sadly, she died two years later. Although severely inhibited by her early belief system, like a dry sponge, Susan soaked up everything she could read on the metaphysical. One book was Ruth Montgomery's channeling of Arthur Ford's A World Beyond. My being 24-years older than Susan prompted her to come up with a plan. "If I can learn to do automatic writing, I'll be able to maintain contact with Milt once he dies!" (Gee, I could hardly wait!) I'll let Susan tell it -- There's no question my interest was for a selfish purpose, but I quickly learned that God had other reasons for me to develop this gift. In my research, particularly impressive was the book, There is a River, by Thomas Sugrue, the story of Edgar Cayce, well-known Christian psychic who throughout his exemplary life was able to put his mind in contact with universal information through a self-induced sleep. When asked questions while in this trance-like sleep, he produced valuable insights on everything from maintaining a well-balanced diet and improving human relationships to overcoming life-threatening illnesses and experiencing a closer walk with God. Obviously not for financial gain or fame, here was a man who spent his entire life serving others with his God given gifts. We are told By their fruits ye shall know them. For me, Edgar Cayce's life validated the legitimacy of that vast world beyond our senses. After reading his well documented life story I began to accept that God can and does work in different and mysterious ways. Through these books and the encouragement of others, I added meditation to my morning prayer and Bible reading. After reading Ruth Montgomery's A World Beyond, (a former newswoman who channeled spirits through automatic writing, among them famed American psychic Arthur Ford), I sat at the computer keyboard to meditate and decided to give it a try. I began writing the impressions that came into my mind and was immediately overwhelmed at the clarity of the information coming to me. Not trusting the information was being supplied other than by my own overactive imagination, I asked for a validation that it was indeed coming from spirit. The answer I received was an eye-opener! Now as you read this, how many of you are aware of the exact number of food cans sitting in your pantry? I was told to go and count those in mine, and that I would find twelve. Astounded, I raced back to the computer keyboard and typed "You are right. Give me another validation!" Patiently, and I must say, with an interesting sense of humor, my guest spirit communicator said "You have thirty-two bath towels in the house! Go count them!" Picture this searcher-for-the-truth, not quite certain if my mind had been lost forever, dashing madly through the house, tearing through closets, drawers and hampers, until the magic number had been located. I was absolutely amazed, and thus began my introduction to spirit communication. The very next evening it occurred to me to ask the spirit, "By what name do I call you?" To my absolute astonishment, glee and delight, my new found spirit pen-pal introduced herself as Hester B. Jackson, Milt's good friend who died in 1983. Hester informed me she was now officially in charge of my mediumship development. "Because of your seeking heart, humbleness, and surrender, you have been chosen by God to serve Him in this way!" she informed. Even though I believed I was communicating with spirit, I continued to be skeptical as to the possible spiritual value of such activity. And serving God in what way? What was I missing? I asked God that evening to let me know what message I would be giving to the world, and why. I recieved my answer during my shower the following morning. The purpose of spirit contact is to teach all that life is eternal. When we pass over to another consciousness we continue in the same state of mind that we left the body, except now we see things clearly, our eyes are open. Those who have passed on are desiring to help teach us truth they have learned in their crossing over to another consciousness. Many spirits are still bound to this earth, because they made earth their god, their life. That is why you must help open eyes to the truth that earth is not life. Beyond is life. If earthly things are your reality when you pass over, then adjustment to your original state will be extremely difficult. There are many who choose to stay bound to the earth until they can figure out how to move to the next level. The progression of learning does not change. If it has not been learned on earth, it will equally be as difficult when they pass over because they will automatically be drawn to spirits of like kind, thus placing themselves in their own heaven or hell. Salvation comes when you understand how important earth life becomes because this is where all things are presented in contrast for you to have a choice. If you choose light then that is where you go when you cross over in physical death. If you choose darkness, then likewise. Earth's experience is vital to spiritual growth. While there is still time, many can come back to chose to learn the lesson of opposites. Only in the earth life do you have that choice. To move to each level of understanding you come back again and again until you see what it is you came to learn -- through experience. The earth body allows you to experience the Truth. Without experience there is no real understanding of God's Truth. Taking seriously the admonition to seek, search and knock, I sought truth by way of prayer, Bible study and meditation. Assuming this was of God, I asked Him to leave not a shred of doubt in my mind. I wanted proof this ability could serve Him! I wanted a clear-cut example how this ability to communicate with spirits would serve God. If it didn't come soon, I was ready to take a different fork in the road on my spiritual journey. There were times I actually thought I was going crazy, having slipped on the edge of the cliff dropping into the depths of madness. Spirits were now talking to me day and night, at home and in my car. Spirits cheering me on -- congratulating my awakening and encouraging me to press forward. It was like a dam being opened, with deceased friends and relatives of Milt's flowing through, proclaiming their wish to work with me or just touching in to encourage me in my mediumship training. It was at this time that Hester informed me that Milt, being an ascended master in spirit with no need to return to earth, was a key member of my training team. She shared that he made the choice to come back to serve as an earthly guide to help me and a number of others with their spiritual development -- it was so overwhelming. When we first met I just knew intuitively Milt was a gift from God, now this was being confirmed from spirit. There was Milt's father, Dad Alcorn who stated he had always silently admired Milt's spirituality and love of God, and Milt's former wife Mary Jane who told me she remains nearby him as a symbol of love -- "Because he saved my soul!" Milt's spirit guide, fun-loving Chief Laughing Water told me Milt had been a great chief, and was looking forward to working with him again. With their similar rapid-speed off-the-wall sense of humor Milt and Chief seemed to be the perfect match. Hester expressed elation over our union, telling me Milt was a great and wise soul upon whom I could trust and depend. She described her function as one who chose to help me with the mechanics of developing my mediumship, acting as my chief trainer, guide, cheerleader and gatekeeper to spirit communication. What a kind and loving spirit -- soon to become a good friend and supporter. Hester made it clear that the development of my spirituality and understanding of God's Truths were totally in the hands of The Holy Spirit, the teacher God has promised to us all. With Milt as my earthly guide and Hester my main spirit guide, as a team, they were indeed working together as Chief Lone Hawk predicted some fourteen years earlier... But, where was my proof that once my channeling abilities were fully developed, God would be served in the process? After all -- my request was to God, for Him to use me in whatever way He saw fit. This fundamentalist Christian needed proof that this was His way!. It came swiftly and dramatically through a stranger in need. Susan continues; As general manager of a central Florida radio station, the instant we met Colene Allen at an impromptu business meeting, I realized she was sent to play an important part in my spiritual journey. Several weeks later a spirit approached me during meditation, supplying information that needed to be passed on to Colene. Milt and I had a sense it was a departed daughter, but did not know for certain, having no idea whether Colene was even married or had any children. Unknown to me at the time, her beloved daughter Lynda committed suicide five years prior, and desperately needed to ask Colene's forgiveness before progressing in her new setting. Literally stuck-in-place herself, Colene's husband had just received a dream-come-true job offer in Colorado, and what should have been a joyous time found her in dread of moving from the house where she last caressed her beautiful child. Due to periodic light displays emanating from Lynda's room, there was an eerie sense she was still bound to that room where she ended her life at the blossoming age of seventeen. With Colene facing the unbearable task of sorting through Lynda's personal effects, it was then that we met, neither aware of the emotional challenge each was facing. Me needing a "sign" that my developing psychic gift was from God, and Colene, unaware of the unfinished business with daughter Lynda, needing to be released from unseen forces that had her bound in negative emotions. As Colene picks up the story as written in her soon to be published book Welcome Back Little Child! -- Fighting the fear of possible ridicule and rejection, Susan and Milt invited me to meet for dinner, at which time the information would be shared. Susan seemed very special to me, but I had no clue as to the purpose of the get-together with this new-found acquaintance. There was no hint how dramatically my life was about to be changed, and how that night God would show that my anti-spirit communication belief was totally unjustified. As he shared this experience with me, I could feel that Milt was a very loving person, a very humble person, and being around him and listening to him talk -- I could feel the spirit of Christ around him, and I could feel the Holy Spirit. It was a powerful and sensational feeling. I knew intuitively that Milt was in a very close walk with God. I sat spellbound while Susan and Milt repeated each bit of information received during her meditation on me. There was the dancing ballerina, the name JoAnn, an intricately designed ring, two hands pushing away a nun. There were the names Mary Beth and Mark, three lit candles, a diamond ring that changed in size -- all meaningful information adding up to total and unquestioned acceptance on my part that my beloved daughter Lynda was attempting to contact me from beyond the grave. At the beginning of the conversation I was confused and skeptical, but that melted away as each vision was presented to me. Susan had no knowledge of me or any member of my family, yet she was sharing extremely personal information about myself and my loved ones. In an elevated state of excitement, I anxiously requested Susan and Milt to travel just a few miles to the house and room where Lynda shot herself to death. With deliberate strides, we walked down the hall to Lynda's room, the room in which she committed suicide. As the door opened, we entered, each of us sensing a presence in the room beyond the obvious. No sooner had Susan's prayer for protection ended, she took on an entirely different personality. With forceful gestures and a highly emotional voice, Susan began to channel. I could see the pain on her face, the same pain I had seen so many times on the face of my beautiful daughter. As Susan began to talk, there were things that were said -- and the way they were said, that left not a shred of doubt it was my Lynda speaking through Susan! My child begged forgiveness for the pain she had caused and explained the unbearable pain and confusion that lead her to that act of suicide. What a warm and beautiful expression of mutual love and forgiveness occurred between us. Lynda took joy in letting me know the beauty and love that now surrounded her, with the only negative holding her to earth being her need to explain her action, then receive my forgiveness. After assuring her I never stopped loving her, had forgiven her, and would always remember her with love and affection, I watched in awe as my beautiful child walked into the light. The healing that flowed from my reunion with Lynda through Susan can never totally be described in words. I now took solace in the knowledge my dear daughter was progressing on her spiritual journey, unfettered with the guilt and sadness that had bound her to me and this world. I took solace in her new found happiness and her reunion on the other side with her beloved father. With positive attention and emotions turned to my husband and our future together, we could move forward with our lives as well, heading to Colorado with a happy heart and a growing sense of purpose for my life. My spiritual journey had resumed. Now residing in Colorado, I thankfully share my healing abilities with others in need. As for Susan, this remarkable experience was an answer to prayer. Unquestionable validation that her newly developed psychic ability could and would be used to effect spiritual and emotional healing. Her gift from God was ready to be shared with all in need of it. Thank you Colene and thank you, Susan. I might add that over the past several years God has revealed thousands of examples how Susan's developed gift of clairvoyancy and mediumship has been used in His service. Countless of those still on earth have been reunited with loved ones in spirit -- for the purpose of clearing up unfinished business -- either in the grieving process over the loss, or needing to exchange words never communicated. Great healing has resulted -- on both sides. So you see how all the pieces came together? Isn't life (and death) interesting?   To make an appointment or for more information: E-Mail: susan@susansanderford.com (928) 284-1596 Please e-mail before you call. In most cases you will receive a faster reply through e-mail first.