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)
Amanda from Olive Branch, MS
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26. (ESV)
Diane – Lenexa, KS
Psalm 19:4 NIV
Their voice goes out to all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens, He has pitched a tent for the sun.
Pat Tilson, Fort Worth TX. “Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.” Psalm 16:5 NIV
Lynne Goldade, Mill Creek, WA
1 Chronicles 29:17 NASB
Since I know, o God, that you try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, willingly offer all these things. And now with joy I have seen your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You.
Shari Valdez, Long Beach, California
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NKJV)
Ruth, Providence
that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love, to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2: 2,3 RSV
Gail Lobenthal Bloomington Indiana
Psalm 37:25 KJV I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Ruth, Providence (June 1 post: was traveling & couldn’t post 🙂 )
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 RSV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Psalm 1:3a (KJV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
Ephesians 4:29 ESV ” let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such that is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Patricia Gandy
Florence, MS
Matthew 6:21 (KJV)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Leslie Young
Wisner, La.
Who dares despise the day of small things?
Who dares make light of small beginnings?
Zechariah 4:10a NIV, NET
Sue Starling. Modesto CA
Matthew 5:5. ESV
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Rene’ – Mineola, TX
Psalm 141:3 (NASB) “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Mandy, Porter, Tx
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalm 119:37
Luann Hansen Harlan, IA
“Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 NASB
Cathy – Russellville, AR
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)
Ally, Houston TX
For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined. You lured us into a trap; You placed burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us out to abundance. (Psalms 66:10-12 HCSB)
Teresa, Tyler TX
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer!
Psalms 94:19 NLT
Joan Colby – Richland WA
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV84
And He has said to me,”My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2Corinthians 12:9. NASB
Shirley Maxwell Macon,Ga.
Susan Kreider Bird in Hand, PA
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15 NIV
Debbie DeLeo, Seattle, Washington… “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend, you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called you from its remotest parts and said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ‘” Isaiah 41:8-10 NASB
Heather Boudreaux, Snoqualmie, WA
“The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NASB
Lori McGahey, Nashville, TN
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Donna Mayfield, Archdale, NC
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Lesley, Oceanside, CA
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 ESV
The Lord says:
“These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men.”
Isaiah 29:13 NIV
The woman who trusts God does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what might happen. For it is settled in her mind that God will take care of her. Living bible paraphrased. Psalm 112:7-8. Meagan St augustine
Julie Lee – Calgary, AB
“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”
Psalms 91:7 (NIV)
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things
Kim Abbott, Mabank, TX
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13 ESV)
Paula, Dalhart, Texas
“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him;” Lamentations 3:25 NIV
Jessica B., North Potomac, MD
That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Romans 1:12 (NIV)
Monica Applegate Amarillo, Texas
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:6 KJV
sarah w, east Liberty, OH
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;
Then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part;
Then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
Carla, Coweta. “Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.” Exodus 15:20 NLT
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. For what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:24-25 NIV
Gail, Atascadero, CA
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 1:14. NIV
Known unto God are all His works, from the beginning of the world.
Acts 15:18 KJV
in Louisville! Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11: 28 NIV
Shelly Slagle, Mount Ulla NC – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 ESV)
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. proverbs 3:6
Martha Leone Plano, Tx
Amy, Buda, TX
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
Karen Souderton, PA
Ephesians 6:16 NIV
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Joy, Altadena, CA
“What a relief! The One who watches over Israel never leaves for rest or sleep.”
Psalm 121:4 The Voice
La Plata, MD. “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9 NKJV
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Lori Long Oil City, PA
Sheri New, Atlanta Tx
“When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 NKJV
Mary Jane, Troy Ks
“Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:14