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)
Lana, Bryant, AR
“Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:27 NIV)
Joan Anderson, Dousman, WI
He changes times and seasons;
He sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
Daniel 2:21 NIV
Emily, Bothell WA
Colossians 2:8 NASB “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
Debbie Gordon, Severna Park, MD
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
Teresa, Chadron, NE
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5 ESV)
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT, second edition)
Dawn Tolley, Appomattox, VA “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
Stacie Kilgore, Lees’s Summit, MO
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (KJV)
Andrea Jones – Houston, TX
Romans 15:5 NIV
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had….
Amanda Singleton, Drexel, NC
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22 NLT
Dawn Moore. Buford,GA
James 1:24-25
and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:24-25 NIV)
Shelly Verley
Apache Junction, AZ
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Christina
Louisville, KY
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Micah 6:8New English Translation (NET Bible)
8 He has told you, O man, what is good,
and what the Lord really wants from you:
He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful,
and to live obediently before your God.
liz gladstone or
Kim Williams, Colmesneil, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Denisha Bonds, Boynton Beach, FL: 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)
Penny Ritter, Vian, OK
A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 KJV
Peg Suveg, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” 2Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV)
Rae Ritchie, Lafayette, IN “Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice. Psalm 119:149 NKJV
Stacy, Kimberly, WI
“Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.”
Psalm 85:9 (NLT)
Rose K.-Oneida,TN
Hebrews 12:28–Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (KJV)
Christy Chattom; Jasper, AL; Romans 12:2 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, -Philippians 2:12
Shared from the Scripture Typer Bible Memory App
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14
Stephanie, Alexandria, VA. “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;…” James 1:23 NASB
Marian Garcia Springfield, MO
You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.
Revelation 4:11. NKJV
Jody C., Sarcoxie MO
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15 NIV
Kenna D., Overland Park, KS
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Shelley from San Angelo
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
Tilley Hawkins, Franklin, TN
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
This entire post resonates so much with me so I am going with the same verse. Praying for you and your family, Adrienne.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Thank-you for your prayers Devi!
Blessings,
Adrienne
Julie
Naperville, IL
Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
… to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through out all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Tara Milligan, Stigler, OK Luke 14:30 NIV, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
Callie, Nashville, TN: “to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:21 ESV
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. – 1 John 3:16
Autumn,Lubbock, TX
“He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.”
Colisians 1:17
Lori – McDonough, GA
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope ” psalm 130:5
Clarksville, TN
Lamentations 3:25 ESV
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Julie Jones, Knoxville, TN: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Deb Bryan from Topeka, KS
2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
~Bobbie Jo
San Angelo TX”
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalms 29:11 (NCV)
JoAnn Heath, Houston, TX
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Rissa Larson, Clarksville, Tennessee
…”but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 HCSB
Sarah Grant-Durham, ON Canada
I’m behind on posting my verses to the blog (since March 1st! ugh!), but have been memorizing Psalm 91 as it’s among the prayers I pray over my family often, one or two verse of the chapter weekly. So…I won’t go back and post all those right now, but I’m currently at:
Psalm 91:11-12, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” (NLT)
Mary Wood, Fort Worth, TX
Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Amanda, Santa Clara, CA
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Calgary, Alberta
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 ESV
Patty, Shelton, WA
Psalm 37:3, NIV
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Heather Burch, Simi Valley,CA – But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 ESV
Casey, Renton, WA
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Connie, London, England
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Matthew 21:22 (NIV)