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)
Romans 12:12 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Judy Madison, Beaumont, California
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. And confirm for us the work of our hands. Yes confirm the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17 NASB
Linda Proffitt -Louisville, KY
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)
Sharon Crow, Winchester, VA
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
Linda from Louisville, KY
1 John 3:1 How great is the love the father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.
Sharon, Bowling Green, Ky
For the grace of God has appeared,bringing salvation to all men
Titus 2:11(NASB)
Aimee, Hemet,CA: For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 NKJV
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:7-8 (NIV)
Julie Fitch
Ann Arbor, MI
“Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS
AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 (NASB)
Philippians 1:6 NIV
He who began a good work in you will (carry it on to completion) be faithful to complete it… until the day of Christ Jesus
Susan Knowles, Bradenton,FL
Romans 5:5 NIV
And hope doe not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
Denise from Walters, Ok
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (1 John 4:2-3 ESV)
Ephesians 3:20, 21 (NIV)
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, to him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ashley, West Monroe, La They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23 KJV)
Lori, Friendswood, TX
Psalm 19: 1 (NIV)
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Galatians 5:15 NKJV
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the Interests of others.
Forgot to put from Phillipians 2:3-4 ESV
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the Interests of Others.
Jennifer Behnke, West Palm Beach, Florida.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalms 46:10 ESV
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (Hebrews 7:25 NLT)
Nance from Newmarket, ON Canada
The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. (Revelation 21:12 NLT)
Linda Hite, Borger, TX
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
“We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! ”
1 John 1:3-4(Message)
Psalm 91:7 NIV
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at you right hand, but it will not come near you.
Stephanie, Austin, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” ! Peter 1:6
Psalms 139:14
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5
Jeri Jacobs, Hemet CA
My brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
James 2:1. NIV
Cindy Webster, San Diego, CA
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Sherie
The Woodlands,TX
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Peter 3:9 NIV
Patti Knobbe from West Point, NE
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
CyndaP
Newnan, GA
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:27 ESV
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. (Psalms 119:9-11 NASB)
Sandy Shiflett-Deming NM
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one anotoher in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fevor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lords people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 NIV
Terri Tripp from Winchester, VA
“He who is seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:5
Melissa | Lancaster, PA
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. // 2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Psalm 4:8 (HCSB)
“I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, Make me live in safety.”
Leah Eller, San Antonio, TX – “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:21 ESV
Sherry – Raleigh, NC
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!
Psalm 119:5 NLT
Judy, Bayport,NY
Psalm 143:8, 9,10
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. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord.I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Duvall, WA
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La
Elise, Cypress TX
Psalm 20:7 ESV
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God
Cedarville, OH
“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.” Romans 15:13 ESV
Cathy R. in Orofino, ID
Be joyful always, Pray continually, Give thanks in all circumstance for this is GOD’s will for you in CHRIST JESUS!
1 Thes. 5:16,17&18 NIV
Deb Mott, Bradenton, FL 1 John 1:3 ESV: that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some men count slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) Twyla McAmis, Cleveland Tennessee.
Karin, Toronto, Canada
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; May your good Spirit lead me on level ground” Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
Dana Jennings, Inola, OK “And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:25 NIV
Karen Johnson
Bingham Lake, MN
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 ESV