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)
Gail Ouimette from Tumalo, Oregon
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17 NIV
Judy – Cottageville, WV
Psalm 4:7 KJV
“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.”
I have been in anticipation for the Cincinnati Life event for tomorrow. Then I get a phone call from my daughter telling me my 6 month old grandson is going to the hospital for seizures. After much prayer I felt lead to continue with my trip. I felt His Presence tell me He is in control and the best place for me to be is with 10,000+ prayer warriors lifting up His name. Prayers for my grandson Kaleb are appreciated!
Oh goodness, Kelly! Yes, so happy to join you in praying for Kaleb!
Rachel G., Raymond, MS
Colossians 3:23–Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (NIV)
I’m Anna Lynch from Greensboro, NC
Ephesians 3:21 “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Marcy T/ Euless TX
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
❤️
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Give all your worries to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down.
Psalm 55:22
NCV
Sandee Tseng, Santa Monica CA
“…[the] LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
I am so late with my verse – almost time for the next one. Experiencing deep depression and anxiety.
To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.
Psalm 28 1a-2, ESV
Penny – Loganville, Ga
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
NASB
Bel Air, MD. NKJV
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Natalie-Austin, Tx
1 Thes 2:7
But we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
Father,
I want those you have given me to be where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 17:24 NIV
(According to my Bible, Jesus prays this on behalf of future believers.)
Caitlin, Windsor, Canada
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 TNIV
Marsha Jupiter Fl.
Psalm 16:2
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
NIV
Jordan LaRoche, Kingwood, TX
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Kandy Hall, Huffman, TX
Hebrews 10:16 (ESV)
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”
Patrice, Midland, TX
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Jackson, TN – Prov. 31:12 – She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. ESV
Know this my beloved brothers: Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19 (ESV)
Oh, how true!
Karen: Ocean Springs, MS
Oh dear, I’m so late to post my verse but I have been memorizing it since June 15. That’s what happens sometimes…especially at the end of the school year. Please accept my apologies for the late post.
Christy Conway from Holland, MI
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21, NIV
Philippians 4.6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)
Debbie
White Lake, Mi
For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know impart but then shall I know even as also I am known
1Cor 13:12
KJV
Charlene
Norcross GA
Jennifer Smith, Sydney, Australia, Romans 12:2 AMP – Do not be conformed to this world this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs, but be transformed changed by the entire renewal of your mind by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you.
Katelyn Kraft, Columbus OH
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Missie Ables, Marble Falls TX
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25 ESV
* sorry so late – been a busy time 😉
Rebecca Alread, St Simons Island, GA.
“God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long.” Ephesians 6:17-18a MSG
John 17:4 (ICB)
I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on Earth.
Amy G. Clovis Ca-
Psa 34:18 NLT
The lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Terry, Psalm 46:1, KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 34:5 ~ NIV ~ Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:5 ~ NIV ~ “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Ginger K. from Shelby Twp., MI
Lora Leftwich, Indian Land SC-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)
Angie Brown, Taylors, SC
A bit late …
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NIV)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Matthew 11:28-29 Message
Kathi Nitzsche
Lexington, OH
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 NIV
Miranda Oliver, Lake Charles, La
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 hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
Lonnie Hall – Brunswick, GA
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Pam Houston Buena Park, California
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Joanie, Richmond, VA
“Pray continually,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
Lori Newton, Powder Springs, GA
“You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
John 15:16, NASB
Barbara Dunton
Midland, Texas
Psalm 103:17 (ESV)
But the steadfast love of the Lotd is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children.
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS
Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past. NIV
Pam…. Campbellsburg Indiana
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
NKJV NSFL
Gwen McVey – Longview, Tx “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 ESV
“Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right from wrong.”
Proverbs 28:6
Tamara, Austin, TX
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Christi Hudson, Newnan, GA
So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 1 John 1:6
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
“God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long.” Ephesians 6:17-18a MSG