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)
Debra
Baraboo, Wisconsin
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:1 ESV
Melissa Briggs, Brandon, Mississippi
‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing,’ Philippians 2:14 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.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Connie, Tyler, TX. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Lydia Thrift, Gadsden, Alabama
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–” Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience
Colossians 1:11 NIV
Anne-Marie, Munich – Germany
Phil 4.8 (NIV): “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Cathy from Loxahatchee, Florida
Philippians 3:16 NLT
But we must hold on to the progress that we have already made.
Melissa Morrow, Pike Road, AL
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Michelle, Chesapeake, VA
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Ephesians 4:23, NLT
Kim G., Colonial Heights, VA
“Trust in, lean on, rely on and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us [a fortress and a high tower]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalm 62:8 AMP
mh, San Mateo, CA
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:21-24
ESV
Chelsea McNary, Lima, Ohio
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
Beverly Reeder , Columbus, Ms
But without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Wheatridge, Colorado
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish by everyone come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
NIC
Lynn Watson Hurst TX
Isaiah 61: 1 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
Emily Murphy, Petal, MS
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5, NASB
Jean Crawford – Boring, OR
As for God, His way is perfect: the Lord’s Word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30/NIV
Stacey DeYoung – Morocco,In.
2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. –Psalm 23:4 Contemporary English Version
Fuzzytop, thank you so much for sharing your heart with us! Your family is most blessed to have you intercede for them at the throne of grace. I wasn’t sure who the guest blogger would be this month, but I’ve been praying for you, sweet lady.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Amy McAteer-Jones, Weddington ,NC
Romans 5:6-8. V6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NET
James 1:27 (NRSV)
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
Jessica, Cumming, GA
“Whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you This is the way Walk in it”
Isaiah 30:21NIV
Denise Ramser , Gambier Ohio: By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made of things that are visible.
Hebrews 11:3 ESV
Valerie, Ontario (Mansfield), OH.
You are blessed because you believed that The Lord would do what He said. Luke 1:45. (NLT )
Dana, San Angelo
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV).
Brenda – Jordan, MN
“My God lightens my darkness.” 2 Samuel 22:29b ESV
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6
Lindsey in Houston TX
Felicia, Carrollton, VA
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7, ESV
Sherri Bosely, Rolesville, NC
“though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
Psalm 37:24 (ESV)
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. Psalm 112:8, NIV
Lori, Pueblo West CO: “Stay away from ungodly babbling because it will only lead deeper into a godless lifestyle.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:16 VOICE
Psalm 91:10 ESV “No evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent”.
Every good and perfect gift is from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV
Kathy VanAmburg, Norwalk IA
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:11-12 NIV)
Spring Lake, N.C.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Tara G.
Sherwood, AR
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
Susan, Knoxville, TN
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:4 NIV
Meredith, Virginia Beach, VA
BEING CONFIDENT of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
Sally, Sturgis, MI
For You bless the righteous, O LORD;
You cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12(ESV)
Amy M, Fifty Lakes MN
“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths”. Proverbs 4:11 (NIV)
Carol Hartley Montgomery Al
Ephesians 6:14 (NIV)
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Carla, Pierre, SD
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 3:9 NIV
Pineville, LA
Teach me your way, o Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalms 86:11 (NIV)
niv
Psalm 5:3
Toni says
In the morning, Lord you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Gina, Thomaston
“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.” John 3:8 NIV