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)
Cathy Koski, Fridley MN
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12, ESV
Malinda Guider, Chattanooga, TN-“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20-ESV
But you, O Lord, reign forever, your throne endures to all generations. Lam. 5: 19
Esv
Cara, Oswego, IL. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 NIV
Wendy Puckett from Mayfield, KY
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Stevie, Fort Worth, TX
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14
Karen from Fort Dodge IA. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NIV.
Jerrie, Longview, TX
He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalms 121:3 (NIV)
Eph 6:9. NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up.
Brandy Trahan
Port Neches, Tx
1 In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message, they may be won over without a message by the way their wives live 2 when they observe your pure, reverent lives. (1 Peter 3:1-2 HCSB)
Judy Coles, Orangeville, ON
I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV)
Vicky, Winchester, Hampshire, England.
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”
Malachi 1:11 (ESV)
Teresa Cianciotto, Dickinson, TX “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps 46:1 ESV
Addy Cianciotto, Dickinson, TX “The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.” Ps 29:10 ESV
Gabby Cianciotto, Dickinson, TX “Whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” Pr 16:20 ESV
Frances, Orange, TX
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Julie Bock, Columbia city, In
Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king. I Peter 2:17 (NLT)
Heather Evans. Bryan, TX
Having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:14(NIV)
Fran Thomas, Jackson, TN
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)
Britt Felix, Tucson AZ
Psalms 103:18-19 NASB
To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
Kathi Anglin, Sykesville, MD
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Colosssians 3:7,8 NIV
I’ll restore everything that was lost in this land I’ll make everything as good as new I,God, say so. Jeremiah 33:11
Kimberly Humphrey. Hattiesburg, MS. “I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:9 (NASB)
paula Antonelli, redwood city, CA. “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. (Psalm 18:6a NIV)
Susan, Atlanta, GA
He has told you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 ESV
Paula, Oklahoma City, OK
Philippians 4:6 NASB – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Susan Moriarty Tucson, Az
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; You are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth. Matthew 15:11 NLT
Sheree Campbell, Phoenix, AZ
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Carol mueller , lincoln, nebraska 1 Timothy 5:24 ” The sins of some are obvious reaching the place of judgement ahead of them ,the sins of others trail behind them.” NIV
Bettie Tolar
Pasadena, TX
June 15, 2015
Phil. 2:13 NLT
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him.
Stephanie Morris, Norman Ok
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” II Peter 1:5-9 NKJ
Salem, Va
2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponent with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Cindy, Beaumont TX. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV
Jennifer Wilson, Brentwood, CA
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1 NIV
Stacey DiGrazia, Elgin, Ill.
“Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Theda in front royal, va
Psalm 30:11You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,12that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Myrtle Beach, SC. I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Acts 2:25 NLT
Sallee Bonham
Belle, Missouri, USA
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers
3 John 1:2 AKJV
The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of His hands. Ps 19:1 niv
Kyleigh Porter Raleigh, NC
“My daughter, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.” Proverbs 3:21,22
Jane Lakey, Panama City Beach, Fl.
Psalm 103:19 NIV
The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Wendy, WM, La.
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,“This is the way, walk in it,”Whenever you turn to the right handOr whenever you turn to the left. NKJV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
Lisa, Huntsville, AL, astonished that the 15th slipped by me… He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. — Ps. 121:3-4 NIV 84
Karen, Saint Petersburg, Florida
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. -Psalm 103:10, NLT
Hosea 6:3 ESV
“Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains water the earth.”
Holly Smith
Monument, CO
Susan Davis Lawrenceville GA Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NKJV
Amy 7634
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
Dana, McKinney TX
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on his glorious throne.
Matthew 25:31 NIV
Francine Thacker, Burnet, Texas
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
Proverbs 16:31 ESV