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)
Holly H., Frisco, TX
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6, ESV
Scarlett Nokes – Savannah, GA
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)
Lisa, West Columbia, Texas
“they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:12 (NIV)
Yael Hernandez New York, NY
Now to HIM who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
Ephesians 3:20
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN Proverbs 31:28 (NIV) “Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.”
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.
Romans 15:5 NLT
Debra, Zachary, LA
“You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence, with eteral pleasures at Your Right Hand.” Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Kathy, Bryant, AR:
The Lord has made His salvation known
and revealed His righteousness to the nations.
Psalm 98:2
So far behind, but not giving up! “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whenever I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” -Philippians 1:27 NASB
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11
Teresa Wilson. Starkville, Mississippi.
Psalm 91:6
Not of the pestilence that walks in darkness. Not of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
MB, Cypress, TX
Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
that you may be wise the rest of your days.
Prov 19:20 NASB
Lou, Jenison, MI
And raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, eph. 2:6 (NASB)
Pat-Dallas, TX
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11, NKJV
Shelly Flachs Quincy Illinois Psalm 103 he forgives my sins and heals all my disease he redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercy life application Bible NLT
If it is too late to post I totally understand. I am on a mission trip in Bethel, Alaska and to be honest
I have been so tired the days have run together and I didn’t realize how late in the month it is!
Trish – Clover, SC
If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. (Isaiah 58:10 NIV)
I am 2 postings behind.
Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” NAS
This should bring me up to date…..June 21, 2015
2Thes 2:16
“Now may out Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace.” NAS
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10NIV
Leaann Goodman, Lexington, KY
Psalm 100:1-5, KJV
“Make a joyful noise unto The Lord, all ye lands.
Serve The Lord with gladness; come before His Presence with singing.
Know ye that The Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.”
Sorry I’m so out of order, but these are my verses 8 through 12.
Laura D. San Antonio, TX “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” 2 Corinthisns 4:11 ESV (5 of 6)
Martha Blacklock
Lubbock, Texas
2 Peter 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 wanting everyone to come to repentance.”
NIV
Deena, Colleyville, TX
God also bound himself with an oath, so that those he promised to help would be perfectly sure and never need to wonder whether he might change his plans. Hebrews 6:17 TLB
Julie, Palm Springs, CA
God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NLT
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Psalms 121:7-8 (NIV)
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Thank You, Lord !!!
Miriam- Columbia,SC
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. Psalm 103:11 (ESV)
Lori, Edenton, NC
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Phil 4:6 NLT
Debbie
Orlando
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. But we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time
of need.”
Roni – Demopolis, Alabama “Make me to hear joy and gladness let the bones which you have broken rejoice.” NASB Psalms 51:8
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19 (NIV)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)
Allison Yount, Clearwater FL
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship. And by him we cry “Abba” Father”
Romans 8: NIV
Debra T, Macon GA
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:19
Keelie Ferguson, Gunter, TX “for the Lord reproved him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:12 ESV
John 1:12 (NIV)
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God –
Jen B, Santa Maria, CA (recently Arlington,VA) – Ex 15:2: The LORD is my strength and song & He has become my salvation; This is my God, I will praise Him; my father’s God , I will extol him (NASB)
For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11 NLT
Ella Roemer, Gillespie, IL
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14NIV
Allison in Fort Worth, TX
Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.
Psalm 86:4 (NIV)
Claire, Boone, NC
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV)
Becca Canfield, Nacogdoches, TX
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalm 103:2 NLT
Proverbs 11:25 ( NIV) ” A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Becky Bell
Westerville, Ohio
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Sorry this is so late!!
Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Whitney Hazzard, Little Elm, TX
Joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Colossians 1:12 NASB
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas
Psalms 139:6 (NKJV)
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.”
2 Cor. 12:10
For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Valerie from Boise Idaho
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Tara Condon, Madisonville, LA
O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1, NIV
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)