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)
Patrice in ABQ
“From His fullness of grace, we have all received one blessing after another.”
( John 1:16 NIV)
Gilbert, AZ
“Rejoice always , pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Gina Fernandez, Wilson, NC
Neither height nor depth nor anything in all creation will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!
Psalm 18:46 NLT
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Isaiah 43:10 ESV
“You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed nor shall there be any after me.”
Orlando, FL Psalm 18:16 NLT He reached down from heaven and rescued me, he drew me out of deep waters.
Staunton, IL
“And with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Eph 6:15. NIV
Jan from Clinton, MS
“As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:5 NKJV
Elizabeth Miller, Cullman, Alabama
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:10 NIV
Theresa Anderson, Grove, OK
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
Psalm 119:10 NIV
cherie poulsbo, wa
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalms 18:19 NIV
Louise – Irvine, CA – Joshua 1:9 NIV – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go!
Louise – Irvine, CA – Joshua 1:9 NIV – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go!
Trying to memorize all of Psalm 145
For June: vs 7 & 8
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8. The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.
Janice Meyer Euless Texas
For it is you who light my lamp; The Lord my God lightens my darkness.
Ps. 18:28 ESV
Donna Lange, Mobile, Alabama
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
EPHESIANS 1:12 KJV
Alesha Culp, Creswell, OR
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope.
Psalm 130:5 ESV
Carol, Farmers Branch, TX
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10, KJV
Brenda, Ottawa, Canada
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22 KJV
Julie, Prescott, AZ
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24 ESV
Charlene
Alabaster, AL
Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
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.
Tirsa Pittaway, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
James 3:17 nkjv, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Kathy Wilson, Chandler, AZ
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
NIV
Debbie Ebert, Joplin, MO
“Blessed is the and who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he mediates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
RaeLeen in Bloomington Indiana:
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name.
Psalm 105:1
Hanna Wahlbrink
Lexington, Ky
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20 (niv)
JoAnne ~ Casper, WY Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Psalm 62:1 NET
“For God alone I patiently wait; He is the one who delivers me.”
Lori Leija, Austin, Texas
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,” Phil 2:5-6
Sarah Jackson from Pasadena, TX
He is a double minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:8 NIV
Raine M. Sherman Oaks, CA
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
John 15:6 NIV
TJ- Clinton, OK
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX: Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 (NKJV)
Moses did everything just as the LORD commanded him. Exodus 40:16
Katie A., Fuquay-Varina, NC
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
– Psalm 19:14, HCSB
Keron, Boise Idaho
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 ESV
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91:16 NIV
Sharon, Barrington
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV
Janessa Ford, Cookeville, TN. “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:10, NLT
Beth, Lansing, MI
Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
“Teach me do to your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Amee from Hercules, CA
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. (Psalms 55:22 NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not
lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
Danielle S.
Garden City, KS
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
1 Cor. 1:9 NIV
Sherry, Independence, Oregon
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Hebrews 3:17 (NKJV)
Paula Neven San Antonio TX
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5 NKJV
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)
Amy, Arlington, VA “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5 KJV