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)
Kathy from Folsom CA
I’m a little late, but have been working on this:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, Greetings! Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, when you are faced with trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:1-3 NIV
Ally, Spokane WA
“O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
Psalm 16:2 nkjv
Jane from Calgary, AB
“Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the line on it?
On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
~ Job 38:5-7 (NASB)
Kathy Rowland
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Psalm 30:5 (ESV)
For His anger is but for a moment,
And His favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning!
Shelley
Lebanon, TN
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV
2 Cor. 4:16 NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Heidi, Amarillo, TX
“I have told you these things so that in Me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24 NIV)
LaMoniqué J. Katy, TX “Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 2 Samuel 7:18 NIV
Becky Purchase Ephesians 3:19 NIV Euless, tx
[and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
St. Petersburg, Florida
“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
Nancy, Junction City, AR
“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Romans 14:13 MEV
Therefore let us no longer pass judgment on one another, but rather determine not to put a stumbling block or an obstacle in a brother’s way.
Abby T., Ferndale, WA:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” –1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Susan, Norfolk, VA So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty James 2:1 ESV
“For shoes,
put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.” -Ephesians 6:16 (NLT)
Mary Thomas
Lexington, KY
The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8 NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
JaneS, St. Louis, MO
“nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:39 (ESV)
Rachelle H., Cedar Park TX: Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 1 Thessalonians 5:12
Deborah (Debbie), Calgary. AB. Canada
“Then Jesus told him [Thomas], ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
John 20:29 (GWT)
Jody Bowhay in Huntsville, AL NIV
Ephesians 6:14-15
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Tracey, Margaree Valley, NS
“But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are His.” Job 12:13 (NLT)
Sheila Oakes
Cary, NC
Psalm 36:5 NLT
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens, your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.”
Megan Passarella, Waupaca, WI
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all you’re paths.
Proverbs 5:21 NIV
Christene from London, Canada
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Anita, Justin,TX
Psalm 95:3
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Psalm 95:3 (NAS)
Sharon Gaudet, Rochester, NH: ” Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.”–Psalm 143:8
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 ESV
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord almighty will accomplish this.
2 Kings 19:31 NIV
Rebecca Stewart Julian, NC “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dear loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Robin Myers, Salem, Indiana, Lord, You are my portion, and my cup of bkessing, You hold my future. Psalms 16:5 NIV
Paola Hernandez-Hoffmann, Pinellas Park, Fl
Isaiah 49.2.ESV
He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.
Lauren Gross, Pineville, LA
If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 NKJV
“The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 NASB Great suggestion and timely!
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Glenda Self
Nederland, TX
“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Colossians 4:5-6 NLT
Sonya Ryder, Baton Rouge, LA: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” – Ezekiel 36:26-27
Missy, Humble, Texas
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My
brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:10 KJV
jamie, Crossett, AR
Psalm 119:11
“I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
ESV
Kathy Price , Fort Smith, AR
I pray that out of His glorious riches , He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being
Eph 3:16 niv
Debbie Haramzian New Port Richey, Florida,
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One and all of you know the truth.” 1 John 2:20 NIV
Vanessa, Johnson City, TN
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Jamie, Tyler, TX
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
Mary Kay Williams, Redding, CA
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2,3. NIV
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
Joyce, Corvallis, OR
“”This is my command-be strong and courageous!Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT
Charlotte
Philadelphia MS
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7
ESV
Chrystal – Coachella, CA – “You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV