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)
Ginny Hyland, West Lafayette, IN, “Whenever I walk into trouble, You are there to bring me out. You hold out Your hand to protect me against the wrath of my enemies, and hold me safely in Your right hand.” Ps 138:7 The VOICE
Heather, Petrolia, ON
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 NIV
Vicki C., Lenexa, KS
1 Chronicles 22:19a ESV
Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.
Beth Crocker, Madison, WI Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV)
Sarah Miller. New Palestine, IN.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I Cor 13:13 NIV
Leah, Westerville, OH
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 NIV
Colossians 1:14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Sharon, McKinney, TX
I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin
against You.
Psalm 119:11
The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples have seen His glory.
Psalm 97:6 NASB
Enjoyed Adrinnes blog. And I am really liking SSMT. IT’seems to be helping me to pray God’s word. I have been reading Beth Moore’s book, “Praying God’s Word” for years. It is starting to fall apart. But it is a dear friend and I treasure it. And God bless you Adrienne and Beth, And all our siesta sisters!
Thank you Donna!
Adrienne
Adrienne, thank you for taking time to share your story. I wanted to encourage you as you have encouraged so many. I have lost loved ones and have been honored to see two of them accept Christ. Here Are the Scriptures God laid on my heart so many years ago. I’ve prayed His word back to Him as taught by our sister Beth.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
“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 that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have ask of Him.” 1 John 5:14,15
Cheryl – Thank you for your encouragement! I love the scripture from 1 John; I will have to add that to my spiral.
Adrienne
Lacy, Eugene, OR
Be kind and compassionate to one another, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Donna Stephens, Wylie, Texas, Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 1:1 NIV
Pam Mayer from Apple Valley, MN: “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.” Psalm 105:3 NIV
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, OH
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. -Psalm 62:5, NIV
Sabrina~Houston,TX
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him
2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)
Jamee Miller, Sanford, FL “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.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Connie-Fulton, KY
Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV 1984
Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland
‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being …’ Eph 3:16 (NIV)
Mugga (Dayle) Sheridan Wyoming
2Thessalonians 3:5 ESV
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Mona Huston, Bossier City, LA, (Philippians 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.
Diane from RSM, CA
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jer. 31:25 NIV
Linda in Chester, VA
“Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.”
Romans 12:12 (GNT)
Jill Smith- Eugene, OR
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Colossians 3:12 NASB
James 1:19-21 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. old NIV
Jennifer Jones Mosher, Canfield, OH
Jenny Schultz, Valrico, FL:
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2
Renee Hall, Jacksonville, Florida
“The children of your servants shall swell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.”
Psalm 102:28 ESV
Katie Baine, Clarksville, TN “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3:21 NIV
Terri from Mechanicsville, VA:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Valerie Mathura in Newnan, Georgia
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6 NIV)
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.
Florence, Rancho Cordova, CA
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
Conyers, GA
Psalm 121:5-6 (KJV)
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:21 ESV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, FL
Hebrews 1:3 NIV
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Col. 1:10
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ESV
Andrea Cox, Howe, TX
Ephesians 3:21
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Eleanor MacKay, Saskatoon, SK. Can.
” I bow my knees…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.”
Eph.3:16 NKJV
Psalm 139:1-6
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Mark 12:33 HCSB
And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 NIV
Calgary, Alberta
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Exodus 33:14-14 NIV
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Candy from St. louis
(Continuation of Ephesians 3)
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3: 21 NIV)
Amanda Teske, Chandler AZ
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10 ESV
Wynne
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)
Lisa Landis
Castro Valley, CA
Psalm 147:14 NIV
“He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.”
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Micah 7:8