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)
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. Psalm 18:28 ESV
Angie Diemer, Battle Creek Michigan. “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as He said.” Acts 27:25 NLT
Jennifer Henderson, Raleigh, NC
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:8-10 (ESV)
Jenny Manis, Granbury, TX, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV)
Stephanie, Paris, Texas. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIV.
Laurel Montealegre White Pigeon, MI
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5 NIV
Debbie, LaVergne TN “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
Dallas, GA
And you have not resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV
Cathy from Keller, TX: Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philipians 2:14 NLT
Dian Helgerud in Cocoa Beach Florida
Come to me who are worried and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke apon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Mary A, Belleville, ON, Canada
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. Jn 13:14, ESV
Kristine from Welland Ontario
1 Chronicles 29:12 NIV
“Wealth and honor come from you; you are ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
Priscilla Nash
San Antonio, Texas
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. (1 Peter 5:6 NLT)
Leslie G-Warner Robins, GA
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is come.”
Naomi – Colorado Springs – Hebrews 6:11-12 NLT: 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
Martha McElhaney Ooltewah, TN
Hosea 6:3a ESV Let us know; Let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn;
Tessa Clark Jefferson City MO
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Angela Pisel, Hickory, NC
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4 NIV)
West Des Moines, Iowa
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NLT
Courtney Dougan Gainesville, GA: “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of God will stand forever.
Janice
Arcanum, Oh
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 NASB)
Becky Cleveland TN
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew7:7
Gina, Naperville, IL
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
Patricia McNeily, Miamisburg, Ohio
II Corinthians 4:18. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Christine, Murfreesboro, TN
For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? (Mark 8:36 CSB)
Robin, Leo, IN I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
Amber Anderon
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Colossians 3:17 NIV
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.
Janice Parent, Waynesburg, KY
Whether you turn to the right our to the left, your eats will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21. NIV
Lauren H., Cinicnnati, OH: “and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:12 (NIV)
Julie Wagner, Nederland, TX
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2
Laura Blackman, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (NLT)
Lisa from Huntsville TX
NKJV Joshua 1:8 “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4 ESV)
Crossville, TN
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:114. (AKJV)
Kate K., Lafayette, IN
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; May I never forget the good things He does for me.”
Psalm 103:2, NLT
Marleeta, Florence, CO
Eph. 3:19 NASB
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Diana, Round Hill. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Beverly, Glasgow, KY
Psalm 16:5. Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. NIV
Deb, Lancaster, PA
Proverbs 4:7 NKJV
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
DeLand, Florida
June 16.2015
Psalm 91:11 NLT
For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.
Susan Turner, Shelby, North Carolina
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)
Peggy
Orange City, IA
Psalm 116:1 NIV
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Gale Fox
Montgomery TX
You are to rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you put your hand to.
Deuteronomy 12:18 (NIV)
Amy from Big Lake, MN
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Galations 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Carol, Conyers, GA
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)
2Timothy 2:10 “Therefore, I am ready to persevere and stand my guard with patience and endure everyhing foe the sake of God’s people so that they, too may obtain salvation which is Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
This is my daily reminder to be in prayer, model the Christ-like spirit and plant seeds (not just eat them for myself selfishly). God has laid upon my heart, my husband, David and my dad, Mike and their salvation decisions.
Karen Riekeman
Coffeyville, KS
Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Kay Tucker, Elyria, OH
“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14