I am very sorry about writing and sending you this letter to you so
very late. You took your time and prayed with my wife, Lois, her 38 year
old sister, Ellen, and me. If you can remember, Ellen has brain and lung
cancer, and she appears to be getting worse. We are not sure how much longer
she has to live. It may be a year, but that is just a guess. She won't
discuss projected death times with her doctor. She doesn't want to be given,
what she terms, a death sentence from her doctor. Ellen continues to be
spiritually strong, and her faith remains steady. She does get confused
at times, and of course she is afraid of the unknown.
The apparitions of Conyers are wonderful, and the results that my Conyers'
experiences have caused, are nothing short of being miraculous. On my first
trip to Conyers, I saw none of the gifts or miracles that I was allowed
to see on my second trip. But I was given an inner blessing that has brought
upon many changes in my life and to others close to me. I stood in front
of Our Lady of Fatima statue and prayed. As I looked into Mary's eyes,
I couldn't stop myself from crying. I lost all belief in myself. My normally
strong confidence was gone, and I couldn't control my urge to cry. I sat
down and continued to pray some more. Sitting down and looking up to Mary's
face was difficult, due to the exceptional brightness of the sun that morning.
It was more comfortable and it was easier looking at the ground, which
was rather unusual.
I was lucky to have met Irma, one of your bookstore volunteers, whom
I now consider my friend. She approached me and asked where I was from,
and if I was enjoying my visit. I was focused on my emotional state at
that minute, and I explained to her how I had lost my confidence and felt
no self worth. She said to me, "None of us feel worthy in the presence
of Jesus and Mary." I didn't understand anything that day, but I clearly
do today. Irma helped everything fall into place, and I will always remember
her at that moment. Throughout the entire day, just thinking of Mary and
my experience caused me to cry, but the next day I felt stronger. Prior
to Conyers, I have never had a spiritual feeling in my 43 years, like the
one I had at Mary's statue.
Since Conyers, I have encouraged my wife to have prayer sessions with
our children, which we do now. We prayed with the children at supper and
when we tucked them in at night, but never openly as we do today. I have
a strong desire to go to Mass on Sunday, and I now listen to every word
at church. I went to Confession at my Parish, and I hadn't gone for eighteen
years. Most important, I left Conyers feeling like Jesus and Mary know
me personally, even my name. I guess I always felt like Jesus knew His
creations overall, but now I believe in things on a more personal level.
I am very lucky to have been blessed like this. I wonder if God has something
in store for me, or if he is just telling me that it is time to live a
better life. Only time will tell!
On my second visit to Conyers, we were allowed to see physical miracles
and/or gifts such as a raining tree, the blue/green in color, spinning
sun with a white/gold rim around it, and even the scent of roses. When
you prayed with us, my wife closed her eyes. A white light appeared to
her with her eyes closed, and the white light took on the shape of the
top half of Mary's statue. This happened at the same time that you told
Ellen that you saw a white light radiating from her. Your comment to Ellen
made her feel wonderful and spiritually right with God. By the way, Ellen
and Lois are Lutherans, and have never put emphasis on Mary in the past.
Today, they both feel that Mary's role is to bring people to Jesus. They
now accept and very much respect Mary and her role. We had dinner in downtown
Atlanta, after we left the Holy Hill on November 13th. Ellen
told us that if she had a choice between a spiritual or a physical healing,
she would choose the spiritual healing.
I am sorry this testimony is so lengthy, but with Conyers, enough is
not enough. Since my first trip, I have influenced four family members
from Largo, Florida, and two friends from Jacksonville, Florida to go to
Conyers. I have taken Lois and Ellen from Indiana, and I know of more people
going in the near future. Mary's trickle down or snowball plan is working.
I plan on going again, but I am not sure when. I was very honored to have
met you, and I thank you for your ongoing work and for your time of day.
When I went to Conyers the first time, I was on business and I was returning
from Alabama to Indiana with a one hour stop scheduled in Atlanta. The
day before, I was able to rearrange my plans after hearing about Conyers.
At that time, I hadn't read anything about the apparitions. I went to Conyers
the night I arrived in Atlanta, and I went back to Conyers the next morning
before I completed my return trip home. Since then, of course, I have read
much, and I feel like I know and understand why Jesus and Mary are appearing
there.
I wrote an amateurish poem for myself which follows my trip to Conyers.
I don't pretend to know how to write poems, but I enjoyed writing it and
reliving Conyers through the poem. I would like you to read it, and then
feel free to throw it away if you wish. I know that you are not the type
of person who would laugh or make fun of something like this.
Nancy, thank you again. When Ellen passes on to the next life, I will
write to you. Please keep her in your prayers. If I can ever be of service
to you in any manner, please call and let me know.
Sincerely and with love,
Dave A.
December 18, 1994
Indiana