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)
Darcy, Spokane, WA
“My days have passed, my plans are shattered. Yet the desires of my heart turn night into day; in the face of the darkness light is near.” Job 17:11-12 (NIV)
Kathy, Albany, OR
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7English Standard Version (ESV)
Sherry McCurrie, Russellville, AR
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 NASB
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie, OR
Proverbs 31:20-22 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea she reacheth forth her hand to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (KJV)
Julie Strock,Lakewood, CO; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Bixby, OK
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart! Jeremiah 29:13
Jennifer, Fort Collins, CO.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV
Ps. 34:8-10 NIV Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 KJV
Cherie, Pocatello ID, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Christine of media,pa(escape) be string and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their father’s to give them
Regina, Salado, TX
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not feet when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out theorized schemes. Psalm 37.7
Melia
Loganville, GA
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Miranda
Loganville, GA
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Michaela
Loganville, GA
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
1 John 3:21-22 NIV
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful
tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 NIV
You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? Psalms 56:8 NASB
Debbie
Olathe, KS
I Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV)- “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
Romans 8:31. KJV
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; Psalm 91:9-10 (NKJV)
Alyssa Ethington, Chandler, AZ. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Dee Shera – Jacksonville, Florida
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
Karen Wright, Shelton, WA
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I aught to speak.
Ephesians 6:20 NKJV
Janine – Corona, CA
“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4 (NIV)
Renee Hui, British Columbia, Canada
Romans 8:31 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Vickie Ethington, Chandler, AZ. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NASB)
LeAnn Nichols, Spring, TX
“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
Kim De Sha, Louisville, KY
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29, NIV
Kim – Columbus, NC.
I Corinthians 15:58. ESV
“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.”
Theresa Cates Burr Oak, MI
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
John 15:16 (NIV)
Carol, Keller, TX
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some would understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, buy everyone to come to repentance.
Tammy Minnick
Drasco, AR
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalms 136:1 NLT)
Brenda McGurk, Medina, Ohio
I pray that out of your glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
Rebecca- eagle point,OR. Psalm 3:3 ” But you O Lord are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” ESV
Claudia, Raeford “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. (Exodus 31:13 NASB)
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ~Genesis 45:7 NIV
Psalm 111:3, 4b, 5b ESV:
‘Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever; the Lord is gracious and merciful; He remembers is covenant forever.’
Sorry this is so late!
Sandra, Gwinn MI
Psalm 31:14-16 ESV
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God”. My times are in Your hand; Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make Your face shine on Your servant. Save me in Your steadfast love!
Melanie Groff, Katy, Tx, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 ESV)
Sherry Stewart, Winston-Salem, NC
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4
HCSB
Angel Buff – Chattanooga, TN
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” (Galatians 5:16, NLT)
Beth – Concord, NC
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… Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3 (HCSB)
Lisa Pauls
Lake Jackson, TX
“and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.”
Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Kristie Terpstra, Montgomery, TX:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 1:17
Angela Wagner, Pgh, Pa
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5 ESV)
Karen Glisson, Kennesaw, GA But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear
him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep
his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. PS. 103:17-18 (NIV)
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”.
Matthew 23:12
Liza Melson – Trimont MN – Romans 12:11-13 NIV “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”