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)
Cindee Johnson
Portageville, Mo.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond
your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide
the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Jasper, TX
Psalms 31:24
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. NASB
Shelly and Sienna Busby-Colorado Springs, CO June 15, 2015
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it. Luke 14:28 NKJV
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
ESV
Heidi Worthey, Moreland,GA
Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. (Psalms 116:15 NASB)
“They confronted me
In the day of my disaster
But the Lord was my support.”
Psalm 18:18 NIV
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Rebecca Enriquez, Orlando, FL
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:8-9, NIV
Krista Ripley WV
1 John1:9 kjv
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Barbara Slaven
Loudon, Tennessee
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Eph 6:17 NIV
Leslie Westmoreland, Franklinton,LA week 12: Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way walk in it. Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Week 13: For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon 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 29:11-13 NIV
Toms Brook, VA
Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33: 3 (NKJV)
Jessie Y. Jackson, MO. NIV Luke 10:40 “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'”
Sheri
Georgetown, TX
On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3 (NASB)
Michelle K, New Baltimore, MI:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NRSV
Leah
Raleigh, NC
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Angela M. from Tulsa area
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Kayla Davisson, Fort Wayne, IN.
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5 NIV
Sarah Ungerer, Queretaro, Mexico
He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15
Lorri Matthews, Phenix City, Al.
Psalms 119:66
Teach me good discernment and knowledge. For I believe in Your commandments.
Rachel H., North Alabama,
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 ESV)
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“O, God, you are my God; I shall seek you earnestly. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
Psalm 63:1 NASB
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.
Matthew 7:1 (NLT)
Donna, Indianapolis IN, ~ Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:22 NIV)
Debbie from Holbrook, NY
NIV Isaiah 61:2
To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our GOD,
to comfort all who mourn,
Amy, Milford, NH
“Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
North Richland Hills, Texas
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 1Thess. 5:15 NLT
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Dueteronomy 31: 8. NKJ
Beth Coker. Medford, OR. ‘Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.’ Gal 6:1 ESV
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31: 8. NKJ
Leah
Raleigh, NC
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much will be asked. -Luke 12:48 (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. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
This verse is so incredibly encouraging! I love it!
2 Corinthians 10:5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
I love this verse! Which version is this?
Audrey, Ohio
Matthew 5:3 TNIV
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Stephanie from Houston, TX: “If I speak in the 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)
Margie Davis, Beaverton, Oregon
Because of the Lord’s great love We are not consumed, For His,compassion never fail.They are new every morning; Great is your Faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah, GA
“Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 (NET)
Marion, Ohio Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
N. Seattle, WA
Romans 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. (NASB)
Jamie McClary, Columbus, OH
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 NASB
Janell Dixon from Virginia Beach, VA:
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 15:57(NIV)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amanda, Washougal, WA
“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:14 NIV
Tammy Dornberger Price, Myrtle Beach, SC. “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
Abigail Dubbe, Red Lion PA, 1 John 4:4 (NIV), “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Rhonda Butler, Jackson, Tennessee, Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NIV
Ashland, OH Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2, NKJV
Janet P., College Station, TX
Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV)
19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Sheila, Williston, ND
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NASB)
Mary Beth, St. Louis, MO
“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
Proverbs 13:3 (NASB)