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)
raquel Davis- Monticello, ms
Isaiah 53:10 kjv
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him: he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, thou shall see his seed, thou shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
brittany Powell Jayess. Ms
Romans 8:1 NKJV.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are on Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Message)…still love “where your treasure is there your heart will be also” in most translations for verse 21!
-Juley Metcalf, Spicewood, TX
Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Amen.
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.”
I Corinthians 9:19 (NASB)
Pattie, Holland MI
2 Thes 3:3 (NLT)
But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil on.
Lise, Cumming, GA.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Woodstock, GA
“Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”
Ephesians 4:1 NASB
Jenn D, Marana, AZ
“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
~Psalm 63:5 NIV
TJ, Clinton, OK
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Lois, Southbury, CT
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children . . .
Ephesians 5:1
marthamartha says:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
I realize I did the same verse June 16. Can I change it?
Just go ahead and submit your correct verse, Martha. Thank you!
1 Corinthians 13:13. NIV
And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Janice Bells, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Verse 12 Psalm 64:10 NIV
Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; let all the upright in hert praise him!
(very late posting this one)
verse 13
Galatians 1:3-5 NIV
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25: 4-5
Wanda Young
Osborn, Missouri
O LORD Almighty,
happy are those who trust in you.
Psalm 84:12 (NLT)
Pam. Mesa,AZ
Galatians 1:10. NIV
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Laura Graves
Charleston, SC
Deuteronomy 28:5-6 ESV
“Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”
Psalm 33:10 (NIV)
The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
Kathy, Missouri City, TX
Happy Birthday Beth!
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
Psalm 73:25 NIV
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
Pat, Brandon, Fl
Walk worthy of the calling you have received…Accepting one another in love.
Ephesians 4:1-2 HCSB
Ashlie Black, Missouri city, TX
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thes. 3:13
Kristi S. Rogersville, TN
Genesis 1:21 NASB
God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
Carrie Foreman. Horatio,Ar.
Lear to do right! Seek justice, encourage the opressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17 NIV
“Learn”
From Coeurd’Alene ID
Psalm 57:1 NKJV
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in you: and in the Shadow of your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.
From Coeurd’Alene ID
sorry it is late posting two today this one is for the 15th of June and I will post a second one for today.
Jamie Cormier, Lufkin TX
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16, ESV
Barrett, Plano, Texas
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
1 Kings 3:9 NIV
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
ESV 1 Corinthians 13:7
Wendi, Kennebunkport, ME
“…to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for everand ever! Amen”
Eph 3:21 NIV
” The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you,not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 ( NIV)
Linda Orrville, OH
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” NIV
“As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.” Daniel 12:13 NLT
Joyce Bison, SD
“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Phil. 4:5a
I am not always “gentle ” to everyone I come in contact with in my daily walk. This is nice reminder.
Debbie Baker, Las Vegas, NV
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
John 1:7 – NIV
Sarah B
Tucson, AZ
Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
Acts 13:26 NIV
Crystal Sparks, Andrews, NC
1 Cor. 2:5 “that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” ESV
Diane Perkins Rockford Mi.
Be on your guar, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage,be strong. Do everything in love.
1Corinthians16:13-14
Marissa Seattle, WA
“May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NET)
Charlotte Nix, Jacksonville, Florida. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” 1 John 5:14 KJ
Waco, TX
Isaiah 43:1 (TLB)
But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says, Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.
Linda Steriti
Littleton NH
But someone will say, “you have faith but I have works. ” show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:18 NASB
Ps. 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I will not want.
Philippians 3:10 AMP
My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person.
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.
Job 28:28b. NIV
Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham dies, and he gave them the same name his father had given them.
Shanen Pankrez, Grapevine, Tx
Keep your servant also from willfull sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Psalm 19:13, NIV
Aransas Pass, Texas
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Kitty, from Bend, Oregon
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NLT