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)
Sacramento,CA
He restores my soul,
he guides me in
the path of righteousness
for his names sake. Psalm 23:3
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
Jenni, Murray, KY
“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of joy with your presence.” Acts 2:28 NET
Amy, Miamisburg, OH
You are good, and what you do is good. Teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:68 NIV
Doris, Madison, MS
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
London
Denham Springs, LA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV
I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods.
I will bow down to You toward Your holy temple, and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth. For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
On the day I called You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:1-3 NASB
NIV Psalm 70:4
“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;may those who long for your saving help always say,’The LORD is great!'”
St. Louis, MO
Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask and think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Jann Sanicola Holtsville New York
Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Proverbs 11:6 ERV
Doing right sets honest people free, but people who can’t be trusted are trapped by their greed
Ella, St. Augustine, FL
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (Hebrews 6:19 NIV)
Christine, Greenville, SC
“But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness”. 2 Corinthians 12:9a NIV
Camon Criger, Longmont, CO
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filed with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV
Meredith Sloan – Greer, SC
Matthew 5:14(NIV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Col 3:15 (NIV)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Lisa Atkinson, Chappell Hill TX
” My sheep listen to my voice.
I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)
Dawn, Tijeras NM
Isaiah 55:13 NLT
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.
Beth Fordham, Sumter, SC
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Prov. 16:3 (NIV)
Deanna, Harwood, MD
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Jane Engelhardt, Waukee, IA
You must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35b NASB
Shana- Milton, FL
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your signt, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)
Whitney Payne, LaGrange, GA: “But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?” — James 2:6 (NIV84)
Susan Bostaph
Buffalo NY
Colossians 3:1 (ESV)
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Leisa Hale, Sheridan, Indiana
John 8:36
LASB-NLT
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
-Isaiah 40:31
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Lorrie ,Rutledge GA NASB
Nikki from San Antonio, TX
“Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging/fretful wife.”
-Proverbs 21:19
Patti from Brentwood TN
Romans 6:12 ESV
Let not sin therefore reign in your moral body, to make you obey its passions.
Deb Harney, Columbia City, IN, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your eyes, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Anna, Cincinnati, OH.
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
Proverbs 14:31 (NIV)
Michelle Rodriguez Beavercreek, Ohio
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 NIV
Rose Gillespie ~ Hot Springs, AR
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Bobbie, Litchfield, MN
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV)
Kristen, Liberty, MO
Know that a person is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16 NIV
Ephesians 4:18-19
May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Teresa – Roanoke, VA
Praise the LORD, all His angels of great strength, who do His word, obedient to His command.
Psalm 103:20, HCSB
Rachael from Union, Maine. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:23-26
Lancaster, Ca
NLT Isaiah 55:8-9
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine .
Johannah, Alexandria, LA
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 1 Peter 1:15 NLT
Sue Big Rapids, MI
NASB 2Thess. 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.psalm 19:14
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8 (ESV)
Julie/Deer Park,Texas The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. Psalm 19:9 NIV
Susan, Houston, Isaiah 43:18 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Ginger from Charlotte, NC
“though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Psalm 37:24 (NIV)
Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” John 13:10 NKJV
Janet, Sylacauga, AL
This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. (Ephesians 6:13 HCSB)