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)
Job 1:8 NIV
“Then the LORD said to satan “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
Sherry Bolander/Burlington,Iowa
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody— Written not with ink but with the spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Cor. 3:2-3 (NIV)
Becky Schuck Conway AR “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my trust in Your word.” Psalm 119:114
Farmington,MO “The voice crying in wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert A highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3
Regina, Floydada, Texas
” You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.” ~ John 15:16 ESV
Amy Toney, Houston TX: For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” – Romans 8:15 HCSB
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana,TX, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” (Philippians 2:3 NIV)
Fairmont, WV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2 (NIV)
Sue Groveport, OH
Psalm 37:21-22 NIV
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.
Jeanette Dahm. Lake Oswego, OR. Isaiah 43:1. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name ; you are Mine.
Vicky McPhail, Peterborough, ON, Canada. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1, NIV
Sandra, Springville, Al, June 13, 2015
Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is common among those who know nothing of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 MSG
“and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel”
Ephesians 6:19 NKJV
Susan L. (central IL)
If I live at the eastern horizon
or settle at the western limits,
even there Your hand will lead me;
Your right hand will hold on to me. (Psalm 139:9-10, HCSB)
Noreen
Calgary, AB
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Proverbs 17: 22
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”
Proverbs 17:22
Rhonda H Wade
Buchanan, GA
Joshua 1:7 NKJV
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do
according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded
you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may
prosper where ever you go.
Barb * St Cloud MN * Romans 12:12 NIV “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
I enjoyed your post. I can so relate to praying for lost loved ones. The quote by Spurgeon was very encouraging as well. I do believe our prayers can move God’s hand.
Yes and Amen! Thank you Angie!
Adrienne
Forgot this section since last time:
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.” James 1:16-18 old NIV
We just finished MERCY TRIUMPHS—Amen!!!!!!!!!
Tammy,
Lusby, MD
For the word of the Lord is right and true; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Psalm 33:5 (NIV)
Sharon West, Miller, MO
“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
Alicia Coffey, Hutchinson, Kansas – Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2 NLT)
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
Psalm 34:12
Proverbs 13:10 NIV
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
I just want to info the SSMT. That at this Im no longer able to participate for 2015. This is because of major medical issues Im in the process of facing. Thank you God Bless You. Im believing I will be in attendance Fargo in August.
We’d love to pray for your medical issues, Joan. And look forward to seeing you at LPL-Fargo in August!
Joan–praying for your medical issues–(((hugs)))!
Hannah Hancock from Winter Haven, FL
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV)
Jan Cleburne, TX “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NKJV)
Melissa, Sacraemento, CA
“They will sing of the Lord’s ways, for the Lord’s glory is great. Thought the Lord is exalted, He takes note of the humble; but He knows the haughty from afar.”
Psalm 138: 5-6 HCSB
Beverly, Midlothian VA
Philippians 2:14-18 ESV
Do all things without grumbling and disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Vicki, from Grapevine, TX
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. ~ Psalm 139:12 NIV
Karen Anderson, Minot ND “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Paula Weatherly
Huffman, TX
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Romans 12:1 (NLT)
Hi Adrienne,
I’m so sorry you had a bad experience in church as a child. I fell in love all over again with Jesus through Beth’s studies, and then because of a belief in Jesus in the Eucharist, a belief shared by the earliest Christians, I became Catholic. It warms my heart to find the Lord both in Scripture and in His Presence in Communion. All who are baptized and believe in our triune God are Christians. I pray for peace, love, unity and forgiveness among believers.
Peace and joy in the journey,
Donna
Isaiah 58:1 (NIV)
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
Rachel
Kelowna, BC
Robin Elliott, Mobile, AL:
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)
Susie, Northville, MI
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 NIV
Perri Lee, Shallowater, TX
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. ~ Psalms 119:35 NLT
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. Prov 15:32 ESV
Deana Johnson from Visalia, California:
“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
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12, NIV
Walker, LA
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. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
1 Corinthians 6:11; New Living Translation (NLT)
11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Because we were ONCE LIKE THAT – I want to remind myself to put and leave the past in the past.
Sarah Carroll, Springfield, Ohio
Joni, Port Neches, TX: “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Ro. 8:30-31, NIV84
Carolyn Dover, Ohio
“I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
Psalm 146:2 NIV
Lynn Bennett, Stowe, Vt.
What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you’ (Ps 31:19, MSG).
Angie, Markham, Ontario
Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6 NIVUK)
Colleen, Mae Sot, Thailand
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
James 3:2 ESV
Maren Breitwieser, Indianapolis, “With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.” Psalm 119:10
Lisa B. Taylorsville NC. KJV
Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: