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)
Tina Dill, Biloxi, MS
Is 30:21 (NIV)
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.”
Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Isaiah 6:2 ESV
Liane Kent, Harlowton, Montana –
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. (Jeremiah 17:8 NLT)
So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of God. Romans 10:17
Aubrey Groover, Houston, TX. “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Cathy, Colfax, LA
“So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of God. ” Romans 10:17
Lyn, Tulsa, OK
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (NKJV)
Kathy Kaherl, Burlington, CT
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire –
but my ears you have opened –
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Psalm 40:6
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”
Phil. 3:13-14
Lori of Bushnell, FL: Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. (1 Thessalonians 5:12 NIV)
For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:4,5 [ESV]
Phyllis, Irvine, CA, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-28 (NIV)
Carol Bowen, Highlands, NC
1Samuel 16:7b ESV
“For the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
June 15, 2015
The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
Iris Stinson, Carlisle PA
Jamie, Dallas, TX. “Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!'” Psalm 47: 1b, 2–3 & 46:10 NKJV
Sherri Frey, Hagerstown, MD
Fear Not For I Am With You ~ Isaiah 41:10
Mary, Atlanta, GA – Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 (NIV)
” true to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. ” psalm 23:3 the message
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103.1 NASB
Robyn Wong, Roswell, Ga
Hap 🙂 Heath, OH
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Charlene Sarver, Cookeville, TN
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 (ESV)
Susie Handy
Swampers, LA
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
— Psalms 46:11 NASB
Rita, Sevierville, TN
Ephesians 4:2 NLT
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Sharon from Van, TX
Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:12 NIV
kaylee Schlabach – Tampa, Fl
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
Jennifer Tunstall, Pasadena, TX
“The tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Alesha, Charlotte, NC. (Better late than never!)
“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
John 15:10-11 NLT
Dawn, South Bend, IN
let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who down the pit;
Proverbs 1:12 NIV
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Luke 10:5-6 (NIV) – “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR
Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ~Ephesians 3:20
Cher Goeder Toledo, Ohio
Psalm 100:5 NIV
“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Sheryl, Rocky Mount,NC. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matt 6:33 NLT
Amanda Grant, Calgary, AB, CAN
“because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79 NIV)
Christina Cole, Irvine, CA
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Judy, Clay Center, Kansas. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives–especially the ability to prophesy.” NLT
Shiela Meert – Elkhart IN
Psalm 8:3 NLT
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – “
Kate from Cheney, WA
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea.
Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3, NIV
Vicki Smith, Cleveland, TX “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Ali C., Pleasanton, CA- 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 7:1“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Matthew 6:34-7:2 (ESV)
Jonni Ousley from Paintsville, KY
Being a first generation Christian this too is my prayer for my unbelieving family members, all in His time.
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.
2 Peter 3:9
Sonya Burtis, Cullman, AL
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalms 46:10 (NLT)
Lisa Williams, Houston
Philippians 4:9 (NAB)
“Live according to what you have learned and accepted, what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then will the God of peace be with you.”
Vicki Bolton, Lubbock, TX
The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
2Pet. 3:9 HCSB
Shauna, Aurora, NE:
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8, NIV
Chaundel Holladay, Lake Forest, CA
They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.
Psalm 89:16 (NIV)
Kinsey, Tulsa OK
Psalm 119:36New International Version (NIV)
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Melissa Sangster, Simpsonville, KY
“Set you minds on things above, not earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:2-3 NIV
Pam Tucker, Fairhope, AL
There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2 ESV
Lesa from Garden City, Kansas
John 7:37b-38. HCSB
“If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”
Julie Grissett
Sugar Land, TX
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 NIV