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)
Kathleen-Amman, Jordan (in Coventry, UK, today)–the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 1:18-19 NKJV)
Buffalo, OH
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Terry in Louisa, VA
Colossians 3:17 NIV – “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.”
Lora Faircloth, Fayetteville, NC
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Kim, Gaithersburg MD
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. (Galatians 6:4, NIV)
Correction – Galatians 6:4-5, NIV
I LOVED what you shared for all of us on the SSMT writing. You are precious to so many and a wonderful encourager. I am wrapping up Psalm 63 July 15th, desiring for praise to be found often on my lips. Last summer I memorized Proverbs 31 and I can’t tell you how many times throughout the week that this has helped me and that I really dwell on what God desires of me.
With that my current scripture is Ps 63:10 NIV
They will be given over to the sword, they will be food for jackals.
Love,
Yolanda
Ginger S. Lowe
Wetumpka, AL
So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deut. 5:32 NIV
Angie Hill, Jasper, Alabama
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Molly-Overland Park, KS – “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” Hosea 2:14 ESV
Sherry
Indianapolis, IN
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
“Though the mountains be shaken
And the hills be removed,
Yet my unfailing love for you
Will not be shaken
Nor my covenant of peace be removed,
“Says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
Julianne August, Orangeville, Ontario
“Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.” Proverbs 16:7-9 NLT
judy Berey Mandeville, LA Psalm 51:10 NLT “Create in me a clean heart, o GOD, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
John 15:14-15, NASB You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
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. Isa. 6:2 (ESV)
Denise from Snowcreek, VA. James 1:21 Amplified. So get rid of all uncleanness and rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the WORD which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
Teena Trumbo
Huntsville, AR
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
“It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always preservers.” 1 Cor 13:7 (NIV)
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. James 5:5 NIV
Peggyann Calderwood
Crestview, Florida
The grass withers, JESUS LOVES YOU
The flower fades,
But the Word of Our
GOD stands FOREVER.
ISAISH 40:8 NKJV
Shauna K., River Falls, WI
2 Peter 3:14 (NIV): “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
Yvonne Gearing – Kingman, AZ
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 HCSB
Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. NASB
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!
Ps. 33:8
ESV
Maureen, Pascoag, RI
From his fullness we have received,
grace upon grace.
John 1:16
NRSV
Awesome verse!
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. NIV
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
John 1:4 (NLT)
“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”
Mary Goins, Bluford, Illinois
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52 NIV)
Sharon, St. Louis
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged
Charlotte Skadal, Houston, Texas
“The LORD appeared to (her) from afar, saying,
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.
“Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt,”
Jeremiah 31:3-4a (NASB)
Praise to our God Who is the God of ‘again’…..He is so faithful, sisters!
Barbara – WI
12. Darkness is not dark for you,
And night signs as the day.
Darkness and light are but one. (NAB Psalm139:12)
Leslie Jordan
Rochester, MN
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?”
Genesis 18:14 NIV
Gina Rosamond, Ca
Revelation 3:19
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
Laura, Minneapolis, MN.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 ESV)
Judy. Littleton NC
God is our refuge and steength an ever present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1. (NIV)
Mitzi from Long Beach
Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
Exodus 15:11 NIV
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NET
Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. Everything you do should be done in love.
Geri Deer Park, TX
Colossians 1:24 ESV
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Misti Robinson from Houston, TX
Peace be within your walls and security within your towers.
Psalm 122:7 ESV
Karen from Powell, Ohio
….Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
MarlaMae — Kimmell, IN
Matthew 5:37
Let what you say be simply “yes” or “no”; anything more than this comes from evil.
Kim Bignon – Orlando, Florida
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in the most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21 (NIV)
Sue. Kingsport, Tennessee.
“Make your ways known to me, Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4 CEB
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
“Do not love the world or things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1 John 2:15 ESV
Candie – Waterloo,Iowa
The word of the Lord proves true;he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30 (ESV)
Joan, New Windsor, Md
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Denise Ciofani, Lexington, NC. “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).
“Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.” Ezekial 3:10 NLT
Becky, Houston TX
I Peter 5:10 ESV
And after you have suffered a little while,
the God of all grace, who has called you
to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself
restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish
you.
Gloria Huffman
Freeport, FL
2 Corinthians 5″7 (NIV)
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Adrienne “Fuzzytop”, I really enjoyed your post!