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)
Miriam, Nottingham UK
When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
Proverbs 6:22 (ESV)
Romans 8:15 NIV
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”””
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.”
Psalm 118:5-6 ESV
Jill Plano TX
Psalm 103:13The Message (MSG)
God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
Delores Perley, El Cajon, CA
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV) Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Erica H. Kalona, IA
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
John 15:10 NIV
Jessica, Vicksburg, MS. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will neither leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
Kirsten Pierce, Boones Mill, VA. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT
Laura, Greenbrier, AR “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:6
NIV
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Pickerington, Ohio
Mark 12:30
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength.”
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
Erika Dotto
West Palm Beach, FL
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2-4 NIV
Alice from Ooltewah TN. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12
Isaiah 46:4
I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
New Living Translation
Megan Dothan, AL
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Phil. 4:8, NIV
Laura Stevens
El Paso, TX
Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
…to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph 3:21 ESV
James 1:4
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Tori Mays
Elmer, La
Debbie Hernandez, Atascocita, TX
And to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:19 NIV
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5
Carolyn, Conroe, TX
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
– Romans 8:35 (NASB)
Shelly, Eufaula, AL
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12 KJV
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Tori Mays
Elmer, La
Teresa, Orange City. Ephesians 1:10 …as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)
Allison Brown, Hickory, NC
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 on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Whitney from Russellville, TN
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9. ESV
Ephesians 3:20
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…
Meagan Dowler Fairbanks, AK
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
Psalm 19:7 ESV
Stephanie Murphy, College Station, TX
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;” Psalm 55:22 NIV
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
Psalm 121:5 NLT
Liz Scherer
Fort Worth, TX
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:6 NIV)
Rebecca Stern, Austin, Texas
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Fran Scott, Stafford TX John 16:33 KJV
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Tracy Pratz Las Cruces, NM
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Madeleine: Corrales, I life my eyes to the hills ,where does help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Holly Cox, Greenwood, SC
“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you.”
(2 Timothy 1:14 HCSB)
Judy Pauley, Norfolk,Va.
Psalms 147:11
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Carrie Donnell- Tallmadge, OH
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 ESV
“You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:15
Tracie, Bristow, VA
1 John 1:5 (NIV)
“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is NO darkness in him at all.”
Jeremiah 6:16 NIV The Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
NLT
Take courage!for I believe God! It will be just Ashe said”
Acts 27:25
Jodell, Frankfort, IN, “The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad!” Ps 97:1a NIV
Kira Chaloupka
Auburn, AL
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)
Pam in Chiangmai
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Tim. 6:11 NLT
Samantha Gallant Marion, IN
Psalm 23 : 1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. KJV
Michelle Weihing, Frisco, TX
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Psalm 100:1-3
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands,
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come into His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture,