Dear Bryan Davis,
I don’t even know where to start. Perhaps with my name. My name is Menolly and I love your books. I’m twelve years old, but I started reading your books when I was eleven. I’ve read the Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire series. I have also read I Know Why the Angels Dance. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked the idea of a fire-breathing boy, but I soon fell in love with the characters. I was ecstatic when I learned of the rest of the books in the series and the Oracles of Fire series. The character who touched me most was either Sapphira or Bonnie. Both for many of the same reasons, and the main one was: I know what it’s like to be alone. Now, I haven’t been left in a dark hole for thousands of years, but I have been alone and I know that pain.
It basically started when I began school. I have always been a great student and a really nice girl, but, that almost always leads to bullying. All my life I had been bullied off and on for who I was or what I did, but it really hit home when adults and kids alike started to seem to expect me to always be “perfect.” To some, that may not seem too bad to be called “perfect,” but I could see that they wanted me to be hurt. The kids in my class would mock me by singing, “Menolly’s perfect!” or “Oh my gosh! You got a B! You always seem so perfect.” They would laugh and make fun of my love to read, write, and learn. It hurt so much.
They pushed me into a dark place I never thought I could get out of. Like Sapphira and the mines. It might be hard for you to understand, Mr. Davis, since it appears no one but my best friend seems to. I’ve tried telling people I’m not just a genius, but they don’t or won’t listen. I cried myself to sleep every night for over three months because of what they said. I used to love school, but then I hated it. I wanted to change so people would like me more. I didn’t know God very well back then.
I was searching for God. For over two years I had been begging God to show Himself to me, because I had never experienced Him. I now realize my mind was Him working in me. I would pray, sing songs, anything to get His attention. Then, I found your books. As I read, I found new hope and faith intermingled with excitement and loss. I was intrigued by how much faith Bonnie and Sapphira had and I knew when I read about it, that was what I wanted. I would give up all my grades, books, stories, anything God wanted to get that kind of faith and courage. In November, I was just about ready to quit. I wanted everything to be over. Especially school. I was done with being made fun of and feeling like I was expected to do and be someone I might have been, but yet someone a little more. Somewhere around the middle of November, I started The Bones of Makaidos. It is by FAR my favorite book ever.
Before I go on, I have to bring up my best friend. The previous November we had met and I am not exaggerating when I say that without her, I would have quit school. Back to my story.
It was Thanksgiving break, so I would stay up late into the night and early morning reading every day. It was astounding. In the last few chapters, I bawled my eyes out. Between Elam and Sapphira meeting again and becoming engaged along with Billy, Bonnie, Walter, and Ashley, it was so happy. Then, Acacia was killed. I definitely cried during that part. The best part for me though when I read it the first time, was when Prof stepped through Heaven’s Gate. My eyes welled up and my throat clenched shut. I felt like I was there, seeing him step through. I was so happy. I could barely stand to put the book down when I thought what if this is the end? What if Bonnie, Billy, Ashley, Walter, Elam, Sapphira, and everyone else’s journeys are over? No! It can’t be. These books rejuvenated a fire in me for Elohim and I will not let it end now. I ran to the computer and looked up whether there was to be a sequel. And there was: Children of the Bard.
I could barely breathe. I was so happy new tears came again. Please, don’t think I’m idolizing your books or you, I am just extremely grateful since they changed my life. That night, I felt the Holy Spirit inside me. It was so overwhelming, I could barely breathe. He washed away all my anxiety, fears, sorrows, regrets, and I felt for once in a long time, peace. I didn’t care what they said about me anymore, I had Elohim and He had me. I went to sleep, and had no nightmares for the first time in years.
The next morning, I looked up other books by you. I had always been fascinated by angels and when I saw the book I Know Why the Angels Dance, I knew I had to get it. That, I believe was a Saturday. That Sunday at our church here in Napa, I saw them. I saw angels dancing in our sanctuary. They were circling overhead clad in white with a light blue aura emanating from their bodies. I was transfixed as we sang our worship songs. I watched as one angel, a girl with the most beautiful black hair ever and blue eyes, came down and said to me, “You are healed. Jehovah has given you peace.” Before that time, I had been suffering from severe migraines that made it so I could not do anything and made me puke from the pain and nausea that accompanied them.
Ever since the angel spoke to me, I have had little to no bullying, no anxiety, I have become better at things I used to be worse at, and I have had only one minor migraine in the past six months. Now, it’s not so much bullying as small provoking. Also, two of the main bullies, left my school, which helped the whole thing die down.
So why am I writing to you now when I finished the books seven months ago? Why haven’t I written sooner to tell you of my miraculous transformation? Well, Bryan Davis, the answer is, I was scared. I was scared that I would send you an e-mail and you would simply think, “Cool, another girl who’s “life was changed” by my books” or I wouldn’t write the right thing to explain how I felt. I want you to think I’m special. I want to send you the perfect message so you’ll think I’m just as creative, gifted, and special as you are. You are the one who inspired me to write. I liked to write before, but you really made the passion burn brighter. I really hope you like this and my story. I just want to be like Sapphira and Bonnie in faith, courage, and the way they’re loved.
Oh, if I could have one wish, it would be to be loved. I know my parents and family love me, but I want something more. Ever since I’ve found God, the cavernous hole in my heart has been filled to tip top, but I want the love for me to be overflowing. So, I’ve basically told you about everything that’s happened to me in the past few years, but I’ve felt an urge to. I hope to meet you someday and maybe go into more detail about how I’ve had a few more visions of that angel I spoke of earlier. I wrote a poem for you. Here it is:
When darkness fell on hearts of men
When the light of Eden left
All hope seemed to be gone for good
Until He came again
Earth had fallen to its death
Along with all of men
We were lost, but then were found
And hearts were freed again
The Savior came to save us all
But few discovered right
How hard it was for them to see
Truth’s revealing light
Who can flee from mercy’s eyes
Who can escape the fall
Who can push against the love
And truth’s judgment call
Will they finally see the Word
And what is veiled within
Will they follow in His light
Abandoning friend and kin
From whence they came
they will be reborn
The pride of men
Will then be shorn
So now my friends
we lie in wait
for when our king
opens his gates
All our suffering
will be forever gone
No tears to hold us down
For we share a special bond
With the God who wears the crown
This my friends, is my last thing to say
God changed my life
showed me a brand new way
I can’t explain it
Won’t even try
But in his arms
I can’t help but cry
Knowing I’m imperfect
Knowing who He is
Knowing what he’s done
To wipe away my sin
Search for Him, Pray for Him, Beg for Him. It took two years of crying, praying, and pleading for Him to show me His power, but He did. I can’t explain it, won’t even try, but when I saw Him, I’ll admit I cried. He showed me an angel. Many angels, singing and praising. I promise, if you want Him, He will show himself to you.
Dedicated to Bryan Davis who helped me know why the angels dance and to actually see them do it. You inspired me to write poems and stories which I hope turn into books. I could write a paragraph to you explaining how you changed my life, and I am not just another fan and how you probably get that a lot, but let me just say, thank you. I’m sure we’ll meet some day and maybe then I’ll have the perfect words to describe what you’ve done for me.
Well, that’s it. I’m sure I could think of more, but that’s what I’ve spent seven months trying to figure out what to say. I counted and I have, including this one, at least seven letters to you or things I’ve written inspired by you, Mr. Davis, in my computer. It’s a mixed assortment of poems, half-finished books, and letters. What else can I say but thank you? You gave me the drive to search for my Elohim again and I found Him. I really found Him. My faith has been increased a hundred fold and I know Jehovah like never before. So thank you, Bryan Davis. Thank you for reading my testimony and I hope you appreciate it and like it.
Your forever, grateful fan,
Menolly H.