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)
Kristin Kellett, Tulsa, OK. The everlasting God is your place of safety, and his arms will hold you up forever. He will force your enemy out ahead of you, saying, ‘Destroy the enemy!’ Deuteronomy 33:27 (NCV)
Melanie
Midland, MI
But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! (Isaiah 26:19 NLT)
Sally Bradford, Mayfield, KY
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34, ESV
Debbie Alix, Valley Falls, NY
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colassians 2:6-7 (ESV)
Liz Millinor
St Johns, FL
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3 NIV)
Paula, Gillett 6/15
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
NKJV
Stephanie Hilton, league city, Texas
“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.”
Is. 41:13. ESV
Cindy Beam
Rogers, AR
“If I speak in tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
Becky Mims, Midland,Texas
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7 NIV
Julia Posel, Munich, Germany. “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4-5 NLT)
Courtney Kelly, Starke, FL
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV)
Ruth – Madison, GA
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16-17 NIV
springfield MO
God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.
Philippians 2:13 NLT
The Spirit help us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we should pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26,27
Pam Bryant – Kountze, Tx
Your Word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 NKJV
Jenny
Covington, KY
“Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do but be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)
Jen from Wyoming
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Ephesians 3:21 ESV
Lacey D.
Oakwood, OH
Psalm 42:1-2 NKJV
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
J.J. Ehr, Longmont, Co. Colossians 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.
Stacy from Hawkinsville, GA:
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:2 (NLT)
Romans 15:13New International Version (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:12
If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run.
NLT Catholic
Kathy G. | Jamesville, NC
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15 ESV
Thought about this verse a lot since Beth posted it as her verse 11. And now today with the passing of Elisabeth Elliot, I’ve pondered it even more. Precious, dear, cherished…
Monica
Cheyenne WY
“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
Psalm 100:5 NLT
Hickory NC
As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever. ” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. (1Peter 1:24-25 NLT)
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Proverbs 8:33, NIV
Judy Campbell, Marietta,GA says: All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. Ezekiel1:28 NLT
Carol
Tucker, Ga.
Do all things without complaining or grumbling. Phil 2:14. NASB
Katie Sadler Mayo FL
“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live a pure and blameless lives until the day Christ’s return.” Phil. 1:9-10 NLT
Stacey Mills, Warner Robins, GA
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV
Molly P., Portland, OR. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 NIV
Cheryl Stewart, Arlington, Tx. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN
“And WHATEVER you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossions 3:17 (emphasis/reminder – mine)
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial’ for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Jaems 1:12
NAS
Deborah E. Bell — Bridgeton, New Jersey
(42). Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Matthew 5:42 KJV
Lisa K, Mpls, MN
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Jones Creek, Texas
For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives:
Seek and you will find,
Knock and the door will be opened.
Luke 10:10
(AMP/KJV)
Kris, Treasure Island, FL
“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”
Ephesians 3:17b-18 (NIV)
Paula, Maine
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” Colossians 1:9 NIV
Ephesians 5:11 ESV
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness,but instead expose them.
Donna,
Oklahoma City Ok
Dawn in Monett, MO
Psalm 61:5 NIV
For you have heard my vows, o God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
Judy – Huntsville AL : Jeremiah 26:14 – As for me, I am in Your hands – Do with me whatever you think is good and right.Jeremiah 26:14
Sandy Woffard Rio Rancho, NM
Colossians 4:2-6 NKJV Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Anita, Lawrenceville.
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth in singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 ESV
Karen Humble, Texas
Psalm 121:6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
Psalm 121:6 NIV
Carolyn O., Cypress, TX
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Mary Rosevear McNeal
Roswell, Georgia
“We DEMOLISH arguments and every prevention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we TAKE CAPTIVE every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7, HCSB
Morgan Myers from Chandler, OK
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (I John 5:14 NKJV)