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)
Roswell, GA
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
Paige Storlie, Amarillo, TX
“Avoid every kind of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NIV)
Sheri -OR
Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 KJV
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Oops! Where was my brain. 2 Timothy 1:7 wasn’t my verse. Sorry…going on 3 hours sleep.
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Traphill, NC. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10 NKJV
Judy, Panama City
The LORD your God is with you;
the mighty One will save you.
He will rejoice over you.
You will rest in his love;
he will sing and be joyful about you.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NCV)
Debbie D. O’Fallon MO.
Now may the God of patience and comfort
grant you to be like minded toward one
another, according to Christ Jesus, that you
may with one mind and one mouth glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Rim 15: 5&6 NKJV
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 121: 1-2
Cindy Barger
Houston, Texas
Carolyn Deevers, Dardenne Prairie, MO
Luke 9:23 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
“…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Melissa~Black Creek, GA
The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; (2 Timothy 2:11 ESV)
Liz Kester
Keller, Texas
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NASB
Michone-Butte, MT
…to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Colossians 1:9b NKJV
Debbie, Forest City, NC
Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing songs of praise about You to all the nations.
Your great love reaches the skies, Your truth to the clouds. God, You are supreme above the skies.
Let Your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57: 9-11 (NCV)
Karen Bell, Hendersonville, TN
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:21) ESV
Janette
Estes Park, CO
Revelations 3:20 NIV
Here, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me.
Erin Beil, Sneads Ferry, NC
Psalms 143:8 (NIV) Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Angie Call -six more months till i am Mrs. Frantz – Belleville, IL
My scripture is the beloved Prov 31:30 but in the Message version. “Charm can mislead, and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear-of-God.”
Tara, Eustis, Fl
New International Version (NIV)
John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
Kim Fishers, Indiana “You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 NIV
Amanda Porter. Kansas City, Missouri. “A man’s words will always express what has been treasured in his heart” -Luke 6:45 (Phillips)-
Laura D, Cleveland, OH. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 ESV)
Berni, Albuquerque
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24 ESV
Joy West Monroe, LA
“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV.
Lisa Curtis
Jackson MO
Let the spirit renew your mind and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23 NLT
Carolyn, St. Catharine’s, ON
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you,’Fear not, I will help you.” NKJV
Isa. 41:13
Proverbs 8:32 (NLT)
“And so, my children, listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
Sylvie Nicol
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
1 Peter 5:7
Living Bible (TLB)
Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
Kristy Falcomeni, Boaz, AL
Psalm 40:1-3 (NCV)
I waited patiently for the Lord.He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of destruction,out of the sticky mud.He stood me on a rockand made my feet steady. He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God.Many people will see this and worship him.Then they will trust the Lord.
Beatrice Brackin, Chattanooga, TN. James 1:26 NIV, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
1 Peter 4:10 niv
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards I’d God’s grace in its various forms
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI.,
Matthew 7:15-17NIV
“Watch out for false prophets.They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
April Mozingo Garland, TX “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” – Philippians 2:14-17 ESV
New Albany, MS
I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
Psalm 130:5 NLT
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Yates Center, KS
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
Psalm 139:17 NLT
susie McNeely Russellville ar
Does he not see my ways and count my every step? (Job 31:4 NIV)
Susan Jezek, St. Petersburg, FL – THANK YOU Beth for a blessed and powerful event in Tampa and for welcoming me into the Siestas late in the game — I am working to catch up! “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” Colossians 3:16a KJV
Elizabeth Johnston
Guilin, China
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
-Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
Beth Belflower
Caddo Mills, Texas
Genesis 1:1-2.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. ESV
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Cyndi Patterson, Bloomdale, OH
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Kasssandra Butte, ND
Ephesians 6:11 NLT
Put on all of God’s armor do that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
Vonnie Baker
Marble Hill MO
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7 KJV
Ann Thiede, Searcy, Arkansas:
12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13,14
Callee Maglothin, Houston, TX “But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge so I can tell about all You do.” Psalm 73:28 – The Lord as my refuge has a whole new meaning to me after my home was flooded and I am now displaced. I’m reminded that He is my safe place and always with me. I trust deeply in Him so that I can share Him even through this difficult time for my family.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Psalm 133:1 NKJV
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Lynda from Ocala, FL: Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18. NIV
Sarah, St. Louis, MO
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV