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)
Christa Lanier, Murfreesboro, TN. “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:4 NIV
Joyce Lobmaster, St. Louis MO. “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.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Lisa Cooper – Fort Worth, Texas – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
Jan Witt, Rockwall, TX
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Proverbs 12:25
Grace Pierce~
San Antonio, TX
“Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 5:16 NLT)
God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (TLB)
2Samuel 22:19-20 NASB New Braunfels, Texas
They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me forth into a broad place. He rescued me because He delighted in me.
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.
Lamentations 3:24 & 25 NASB
Tracy Chapman
Andice, TX
2 Cor 4:10 NIV
“We always carry around in our body he death of Jesus,
So that the life of Jesus
may also be revealed in our body.”
Cypress, TX
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3
Santa Clarita, CA “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”. Rom 5:5
Erin, Littleton CO:
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:2 NIV
Melissa H., London, ON, Canada
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:21, ESV).
Anne Roline, Morristown, TN
“Get rid of all bitterness,rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32. NIV
Psalms 113:9 (NASB) He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Jeri of Missouri City, Texas
Psalm 30:11-12(NKJ)
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.
“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),
Deena from Amarillo, TX
“Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.”
Proverbs 13:3 The Message
“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),
Ashley from San Antonio
Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
Romans 14:4 NLT
Falisha M. Boland – Fruitland, NM
Psalms 31:24
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. NASB
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Psalms 19:2 NIV 84
Day after day they pour forth speech;
Night after night they display knowledge. Ps. 19:2
J Canon, New Braunfels, Tx. –
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3 NIV)
Corpus Christi, TX:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NAB
Tammy Disch, Garland, TX
Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter1:3 (NASB)
Michelle Rademacher – Aurora, IL
“Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.’ Daniel 2:20 (ESV)
Laura Gilbert AZ
So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 NIV
Patricia :17from Richmond, Texas
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us;yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17….ESV
adina , Pittsburgh PA
even the darkness is not dark to You,
The night shines like the day,
darkness and light are alike to You.
Psalms:139:12 (HCSB)
Donna, Houston,TX
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 ESV
Rebecca S, Marana AZ
For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. (Psalms 103:14 NLT)
Ephesians 2:9 (HCSB) ~ not from works, so that no one can boast.
Diane Currie, Schertz Texas, Proverbs 15 3 NIV – The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Allison, Pittsburg, Tx
Teach me knowledge and good judgement,
for I trust your commands.
Psalm 119:66 NIV
Bobbi from Lake City, FL. Fear not,for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10. (NKJV)
Emily, Olympia WA
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, WHO IS YOUR LIFE, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV
Corrie Crouch, Silsbee, Texas
Isaiah 30:21,NIV
“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.””
emi, white house,tn: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV
Rachael Heard, San Antonio, TX “and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” -Isaiah 30:21 HCSB
Paula Rutherford, Decatur, Tx
Philippians 4:4-5 KJV
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Leslie Brown, Denver, Colorado
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 5:23–NKJ
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA: Luke 1:38 MSG
“Let it be with me
just as you say.”
Karen from Denton, TX
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 ESV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. James 1:2-3 NIV
Romans 6:7 NLT
For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin.
Erika
Celebration, FL
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you. (Proverbs 4:25 ESV)
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
John 14:21 HCSB
The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.
Danielle,Pinewood,SC
I will love You, O LORD, my strength. (Psalms 18:1 NKJV)
Michele Powell, Nampa, ID
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Linda Speer. Edmonton Ab
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14 NIV