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)
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
1 Corinthians 4:7 (esv)
“For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
Kris Braun, Shakopee, MN
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Lisa Lucik. Sugar Land, TX
Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
Your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Hannah Rodriguez, Dallas, Tx. “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” -James 3:18 (ESV)
Tammy Ellis, Oneida, Tn
Ecclesiastes 3:4 & 5. Posting 4 for June the 1st because I never got around to posting on here
Vrs 4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance ;
Vrs 5 A time to cast away stones , and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion”. Hebrews 3:15 NIV
Lauren Matson; Prattville, AL:
“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” John 13:15 NASB
Cara, Stillwater, OK: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)
Deby Allen from New Carlisle, OH
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John1:5 NIV
Leah
Raleigh, NC
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner or the poor…” -Zechariah 7:9-10 (ESV)
Diane S., Macungie, PA
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)
ShaNada Williams
Birmingham, AL
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 NLT
Kelly Nielsen from Spanish Fort, Alabama- Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of of great worth in God’s sight. 1Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Kim K., Lancaster, OH
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[b] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
Michelle Wynne, Spokane, WA. Continuing from verse 5&6….
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:7 ESV
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Dianne Maineville, Ohio
Ephesianes 6 : 12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the power of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NIV
Becky Davis, Huntington, WV
Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from Him.
Psalm 62:1 (NIV)
Tracey Boynton, Kingsburg CA
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Angel Stovenour
Brentwood,TN
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1John 1:9 NKJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forebearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5:22-23 (NIV)
Jenna, Ft Worth, TX
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 NIV
Cherri, Smyrna, GA:”My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15(NIV)
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
“Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Romans 13:10-11 (NIV)
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NASB
Laurie Watkins Arlington, TX
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.
In Jesus Name Amen
Romans 8:28 KJV
Donna Rose. Jayess, MS. “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” Proverbs 13:3 NLT
Emily Lawyer
Arlington, VA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Mary Beth Nickerson, Lascassas, TN
“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1 HCSB)
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,”
Ephesians 3:18, ESV
Sharon Mills
Henderson, Nv
Daniel 3: 17 NIV “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.”
Vonda, Thorntown, IN
Eph 3:19 ESV
…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Jennifer Walker
Fort Worth, TX
Psalms 31:24
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. (NASB)
Pam Pruett, Clarksville, Arkansas
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Sabrina Shivley, Bryant, AR For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TN
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in You.
Show me the way I should go,
for to You I entrust my life.”
Psalm 143:8. NIV
Colossians 2:2 NIV “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ.”
Danielle, Beaver Dam, WI
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Michele Zamora Lubbock, TX
Isaiah 28:29
“O Lord of Hosts, You are wonderful in counsel and great in wisdom.”
Margie Rodriguez, San Angelo, Texas
Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Jennie Weekley Greensboro, NC “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” (Philippians 2:3 NIV)
Jackie, Noblesville, IN
The Lord will work out his plans for my life-for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:8
Tomi, Des Moines, Iowa. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11&12 NKJV
Megan Allen. Hillsboro OH
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
Mindy Habelt, Williamson GA
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Ellen Dark, Sarnia, ON
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Cheryl Swanson -Tulsa, OK
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139: 23-24; NIV)