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)
Susan Clements, Seale, AL
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Amy Storms
Joplin, MO
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (Psalm 18:19 NIV)
Linda Nelson, Shreveport, Louisiana
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”
Psalm 143: 8, 10 (NLT)
Carol Mcalisterville, PA
1. I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wondrous deeds.
2. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalms 9:1-2 NIV
Stephanie Volkmer, Tulsa, Ok.
*Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6 (nkjv)
Lynn Greene, Shelby, NC
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Antoinette Krietemeijer, Hoofddorp,the Netherlands(Europe) Doof de Geest niet uit en veracht de profetieën niet die Hij u ingeeft. Onderzoek alles en behoud het goede en vermijd elk kwaad in welke vorm het zich ook voordoet.(1 Thessalonicenzen 5:19)
Wichita, KS
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. Genesis 28:15 (NIV)
Linda Dameron
Cape Canaveral, FL
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ”
1 Peter 3:3-4
NIV
Cheryl A. from Dunn, NC
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, where with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6: 14-18 KJV
Susan C. Houston, TX
‘The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me,
because Adonai has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted;
to proclaim freedom to the captives,
to let out into light those bound in the dark;’ Isaiah 61:1 CJB
Wahpeton, ND “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 Esv
Andrea Thibodeaux, Carencro, LA
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! (Psalms 63:3 NLT)
Stacy
Cape Girardeau, MO
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
Sugar Land, TX
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
Chose this before reading the blog; it seems God is renewing His call to be diligent in prayer!
For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Meagan R, Burke, VA
“As for me, I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.” 1 Samuel 12:23, HCSB
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
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”
Gwen Wray, Miami, OK
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23 & 24 (NKJV)
Lori Haller, Easton, MD. Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (NLT)
Shelby Township, MI (sorry I’m late this week!)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Philippians 4:8, NIV
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg, OH – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NIV
Beverly H
Lexington, KYM
Mark 11:24 NIV
Therefore, I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.
Whitney Holder, Wilmington, NC. “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5 NLT)
Becky
Waukesha WI
We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
Psalm 39:6a NLT
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20 NIV
Psalm 139: 15-16
Shannon, Mandeville. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus”. Phil. 4:19 TNIV
Lisa, McKinney, TX. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Stacey, Omaha, NE
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2
Emily (age 15)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philipians 4:6 (NLT)
Ally (age 13)
you can pray for anything and if you have faith you will receive.
Matthew 21:22 (NLT)
Sara Sanders
Garden City, KS
“nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54.10b NIV
Cris – New Lenox, IL
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest upon me.
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),
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Kim from Laguna Niguel:
Psalm 119:16 NIV
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Kathy, Austin Proverbs 154 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
Ana from Dayton, TX
Isaiah 66:2 (ESV)
Alll these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.” Psalm 82:3-4
Debbie Brubaker, Robstown, TX
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”
Isaiah 6:3b NKJV
Emily Hayes. Conway, Arkansas. Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Julie, Madison, MS
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5 NIV
Joan, Carter Lake IA
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. (1 Corinthians 14:33 NLT)
Ann Seaney, Marion, Indiana
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
Angi, Pelham, AL
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Psalm 61:4 KJV
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV
Krista Valdes Zamora
Round Rock, Texas
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” John 1:1-2. NIV
Emily in Puyallup, WA
“So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:6, NIV).
psa.30.11.niv You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, Melanie Shenning, Tampa Florida
Dawn – Pampa, TX
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son”
1 John 4:10 NIV