Hello Siestas!
I’m Adrienne, aka “Fuzzytop”, writing to you from Jasper, Tennessee, a very small town about 25 miles west of Chattanooga. I’m a transplant to the South, having moved here from the Phoenix area in 2005. My family consists of husband, Tom, Rachel (HS Senior), and James (HS Freshman). Along with the humans, our family includes six dogs and eight cats, and of those, only two were acquired deliberately; we have soft hearts for abandoned dogs and cats. We also have six cows, a donkey, and assorted chickens and live on 40 acres in a rural area, which is a huge change from the Phoenix suburbs.
So…..a little bit about myself. I grew up overseas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We lived there until I was nine, and then immigrated to the United States, landing in Mesa, Arizona. Culture shock!!! After High School I attended Arizona State University, receiving a BS in Bioengineering and later, a MS in Quality Engineering and Applied Statistics. For many years I worked as an engineer and a project manager at Intel Corporation in AZ. Here in TN, I work in Quality Assurance for an engineering firm in Chattanooga. Work-wise, I seriously love data analysis and statistics. Away from work I enjoy reading, drawing, beading, gardening, and spending time with my family. I also love Bible Studies, and have done every Siesta Summer Bible study with two dear friends, Linda and Sarah, whom I met through this blog.
As a child, I had very little exposure to Jesus and the gospel. In Kuala Lumpur, I attended a Catholic school, and I recall my class practicing for communion using slips of newspaper in place of the wafers. The nuns were very concerned that we not “mess up” our First Holy Communion, so it was a stressful event. I had no idea what it all meant. My parents were not Christians, so as a child we never went to church or read the Bible, but somehow I knew in my heart that God was real. During difficult times in my early years, I remember praying to God, and trusting that those prayers were heard.
During High School, I began attending church and youth group with some close friends, and began identifying myself as “a Christian”, but I know now I had never truly given my heart and my life to Jesus and fully trusted in Him for salvation. My Christianity was nothing but a label. I became disillusioned when I found out those High School friends were no different from the non-Christian “bad” kids I knew. I dropped out of Youth Group and then church for many years.
During college I met my husband. He had been saved during his senior year of High School, and we spent many hours talking about God, and Jesus. After we married, we started attending church. One fateful Sunday I went alone, and during the invitation, I felt an overwhelming conviction that the invitation was for me. Honestly, I was stunned, having thought for many years that I was saved! I didn’t respond to the invitation that day, but all the next week it was on my mind, and I prayed to really know what to do. The following Sunday during the invitation I was again convicted in my heart that I needed to respond and this time, I went forward, prayed for Jesus to forgive me of my sins, and truly accepted him as Savior. Even today, almost 30 years later, I can remember the overwhelming flood of relief and joy.
Of my four siblings, parents, step-parents, in-laws, nieces and nephews, only a few are saved. I count many lost people among my extended family, and I believe it is an imperative that I pray for them. In Romans 10:1 Paul wrote, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved,” (emphasis mine). As C.H. Spurgeon once stated in a sermon:
Until the gate of hell is shut upon a man, we must not cease to pray for him. And if we see him hugging the very doorposts of damnation, we must go to the mercy seat and beseech the arm of grace to pluck him from his dangerous position. While there is life there is hope, and although the soul is almost smothered with despair, we must not despair for it, but rather arouse ourselves to awaken the Almighty arm.
There are days when I am frustrated with seemingly unanswered prayers regarding the salvation of people I love. So the Scripture I’m choosing this time is 2 Pet 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (NIV), which reminds me that these things are under His control and His timing, and that God desires salvation for every soul. If you have lost loved ones, like me, perhaps this verse will comfort you also.
I am so grateful for this blog, and SSMT. The friends I have met through this blog, the original Siesta Fiesta, and the SSMTC events are so precious to me.
Love in Christ,
Adrienne (Fuzzytop)
…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches if His glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe… Eph 1:18 ESV
Regina, Birmingham
Beverly Cumberland Gap, TN
Hebrews 12 : 1 KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Angie Miller – Macon, MS
The Lord is good to those who trust in Him, to the one who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25, NET
Rosa – Cypress, TX
Psalms 119:36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Deb Mountsier, Mason, Ohio
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Dorla in Lincoln Ne
These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
Eph 1: 19b, 20 NASB
Hilary
Orlando, FL
I John 4:12, NIV
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Covington, LA
“If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” I Corinthians 13:1
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever Hebrews 13:8 NASV
Tremont, IL
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
McAllen Tx
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:10 NLT
Phoebe, Knoxville, TN:
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NASB
Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Anna, Tx
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Sarah M., Laurel, MS
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.” 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NIV)
Round Rock, TX
NVI Romanos 12:10
Ámense los unos a los otros con amor fraternal, respetándose y honrándose mutuamente.
Tara Ford, Beech Creek KY
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
[6] Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Tricia G. Lancaster, CA
Ezekiel 34:15-16 (NLT)
15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!
Little Elm, TX
Rejoice in the Lord always I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Ashley Kurtz, Kingwood, TX
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Natalie, Frisco, TX
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8 NLT
Missy S, Charlotte, NC (Catching up on a couple of verses I missed while moving…)
“Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NET)
Julie Andrews
Chagrin Falls, OH
2 Kings 6:16 NIV
“Don’t be afraid’,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Shelly Higgins, Pikeville, tn
11. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV)
Shannon Buda, TX
Why spend money on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Isaiah 55:2
Scarlett, Round Rock, TX
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20, NIV
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see f I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Amy Smiley, Williams, AZ
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
Paula, Atlanta Tx
“We are hardpressed on every side, yet not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. Struck down but not destroyed”. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV
Mandy, Raymond, MS
“But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him:”
1 John 2:5 NIV
Crystal Parrott – Everett, Ontario, Canada
“But the rich should take pride in their humiliation- since they will pass away like a wild flower.” James 1:10 NIV
Rachel, Vancouver, Washington. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. “ James 1:6 (NIV)
Mandy Helm
College Station, TX
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NIV
Judy Williams, Round Hill, VIrginia
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9. NIV
Melissa J – Houston, TX
Blessed were those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6 NIV
Nesha Vest – Mechanicsville, VA
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love”
Eph 3:17 NIV
Amy
Buda, Texas
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV
Dawn Deare from Lafayette, LA
Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have, for he said I will never leave you or forsake you.
Michelle,
Bossier City, LA
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
John 3:18 NIV
Sheri – Portland, Oregon
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
3 John 1-2
Austin, Texas
“But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.” Hosea 12:6 NIV
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
Psalm 40: 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. NIV
Johnine from Anna, Texas
In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:12 NKJ
Linda Ballard, Waxahachie, TX: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17. NIV
Sara, Greenfield, IN
Say to them, as I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die O house of Israel?
Ezekial 33:11
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2 NIV
Alyssa Molina, Sealy TX- NIV Psalm 27:1– The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Julie Barnes, Arkansas
Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10 GWT
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB
Mei, Easley SC
2 Cor 10:5 NIV
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.