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)
Mansfield, OH
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15
Karen – Greer, SC: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, Destroy them.” Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV)
Imelda Hunt, Toledo, OH
Intreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again.
1 Kings 13:6 King James Version (KJV)
Sharon Stridde, Corpus Christi, TX
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man
Proverbs 27: 19 NAS
Bethany, Magnolia, TX
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”
Psalm 118:8, ESV
Concetta, White Oak, TX Romans 15:5 NLT
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.
Terri G, Corinth, TX
“If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.”
Paslm 90:11
Dede Mitchell Jacksonville FL
Psalm 42:11 (NLT)
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Shinae, Owasso, OK
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
Col 3:1-4 NASB
Natalie, Houston
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Dyersburg, TN … Eph. 3:12-14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. That He would grant you according to the riches of HIs glory, to be strengthened with Power through HIS Holy Spirit in the inner man. NASB…..in honor of Molly and Andy’s upcoming wedding !!!!
Sandra Larranaga Bowe SanJon, New Mexico
Proverbs 23:12 TNIV
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
Joy Lunsford Troy, AL
Psalm 26:8New Living Translation (NLT)
8 I love your sanctuary, Lord,
the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Claire Veronie, Bryan, TX
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” Psalm 116:15 NASB
Alaina // Tyler TX
Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Pat from Keller Tx.
Oh God we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.
Psalms 44:8 NLT
Adria A. Jackson TN
Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face. Job 13:15 (NIV)
JOYce Partridge, Leola, AR
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 NIV
Jackie – Plano, TX
I attend BSF and we will begin studying the Book of Revelation in September, so I figure this verse will be my beginning verse in preparation for wonderful and exciting study in God’s Word.
Revelation 1:3 NKJV – Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Amen.
Jana, Altus, OK
Daniel 3:17-18, NIV
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Beverly Reeder Columbus , Ms.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Anna, Little Elm, TX
You will keep in perfect peace
one whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
Trust in Adonai forever,
for the Lord Adonai is a Rock of ages.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (TLV)
Martinez, CA
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:29-30 NIV
Patti, Clemmons, NC
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. KJV
Praise God, Adrienne!! He makes Himself known to all and it becomes personal when we open to door for Him to enter into our lives.
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.
Fullerton,CA “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10. NIV
Lori Anthony, Pine River, MN
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in Your words.”
Psalm 119:147 ESV
Monica Pribe, Blacklick, OH “So then brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh” Romans 8:12 ESV
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1, ESV
Krista Fehr
Chickamauga, GA
Isaiah 57:15 ESV
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Judy Libby/ Cleveland Ohio
James 1:5 NET
But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given him.
Happy Birthday Beth! So looking forward to seeing you in Cincinatti
Mary Ellen in Laurel, MT
“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 NIV
Melissa Brandt; Little Rock AR; “Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son in truth and love.” 2 John 1:3 ESV
Natalie Macek, from Damascus, MD: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-2, NKJV
Taryn from Corinth, TX
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
– Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
Diane, Wichita, KS
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Carol ~ Webb City, MO
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Rita – Alva, Florida
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Genesis 50:20 -NLT
Kathryn Anderson, Jacksonville Florida : “My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him” Psalms 62:5
Melinda Brown, Olive Branch, MS – “Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases;” Psalm 103:3
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6
Stacey, Hanahan, SC
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Peggy, Yorktown, VA
Matt 6:5-8
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by man. I tell you the truth they have received their reward in full. But when you pray go into your room and close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen, then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray don’t keep babbling like pagens for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Kerry | Houston, TX
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Happy, happy birthday Beth!!!! You are so special to me and have blessed me and my family over the years. I met u after the taping of the Patriarchs in Baltimore, MD a few hrs. Ago, 11 to be exact. Two of my three daughters were there for part of the week, the 3rd had just delivered my 1st of 9 grands. I have completed most of your Bible studies, have read most of your books, have attended many of your conferences if within a day’s drive, and watch Wed. With Beth when I can!!!! God has gifted you to teach in a way that the Bible comes alive and lessons stick!! What a privelige to know u through your ministry!!! Mary
Andrea S. Forth Worth, TX
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also t the Gentiles.” Romans 1:16 KJV
Vickie Gainous, Cairo, GA
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.
Song of Solomon 8:6 NRSV
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
Matthew 10:27 – NIV
Jennifer, Boston MA
“remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”
Isaiah 43.18 ESV
Danielle Rye
Cedar Park, TX
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”
Psalm 73:25 NIV