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)
Joan Vanderwall, Orofino, Idaho. “And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into Glory.” I Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
Judy Conn, Ashland , KY : SSMT #12
“make me hear of your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me how I should walk, for I offer my soul up to You.” psalm 143:8 The Voice. I love you all!
Lori, Toledo
Psalm 91:14-15, “The LORD says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.’” (NLT)
Terri Assael, State College, PA
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, MI – “to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:21(NIV))
Gal. 2:20- I have been crucified with Christ It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me. NKJV-Stratton ,CO
Marsha Middleton – Lee’s Summit, MO
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8 NKJ
Sharon Hyde, Independence, MO
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
Kim, Amherst, OH
Prov. 31:21 NIV
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
Rita Ford, The Woodlands, Texas. “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden thoughts.” Psalm 19:12 (NIV)
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him’.” John 14:23 NIV
Michelle, Fort Collins, Colorado
“Thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 NRSV
Linda Jewell
Sedona, AZ
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Amy Andrews, Edmond, OK
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand,
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who
persecute me.( NKJV)
Psalm 31:14-15
Denise, Winfield, Missouri
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
LeEllen Phillips, Nashville, TN
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Number 6:24-26, ESV
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Ruth Baca, Modesto, CA
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.
2 Peter 3 v 9
NIV
Gail-Tyler,TX
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
I John 3:1 NKJV
Megan, St. Louis, MO
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3, ESV
Linda G. Crawfordsville, IN
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
(NASB)
Robin, Chambersburg, PA
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Psalm 27:7 NJKV
Rolanda Hairston Ft. Worth, TX
“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe- inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Psalms 145:6-7 NLT
Janene Ford, Henley, MO
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NASB)
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
Proverbs 16:32 NLT
“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”
Sheryl Graham, Bishop, GA
1John 5:14-15(NKJV: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NLT
Suzanne Carlson: Ridgefield, WA
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen. Jude 1:25
Southern CA “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Ps 21:1-2, HCSB
In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
–Colossians 3:7
Karen, Clarksville, “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 HCSB
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love, and of a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
Marla Ritter, Benton AR. Ephesians 6:18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
KJV
Joann Thompson, Coos Bay, Oregon
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.”(Colossians 4:6 ASV)
Debi Detroyer, Emmett, MI
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
Ephesians 2:8
Laura Berg from Carlsbad, CA
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7. NIV
Debbie Fitzpatrick, Bossier City, LA
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15, NKJV
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Lynette, Nashville, TN
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:7 ESV)
Kristen Johnstone, Boulder, CO
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (ESV)
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every suppporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)
Mary Newberry – New Smyrna Beach, FL
Ephesians 4:2 – Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each others faults because of your love.
Isaiah 53:6
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Pam Coleman
Deleon Springs, Florida
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.”
Jennifer R. Houston, TX
“And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, LA
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every suppporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)
Jedonne, Nashville, TN
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
2 Peter 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.
Diane Ellison from Littleton, CO
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, Who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
John 1;17-18 NIV