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)
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the spirit desires.
Romans 8:5 (NIV)
Christa, Denver, CO
These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. Rev 3:7 NIV
remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Ephesians 2:12 ESV
Lindsey Ehle – Kingwood, TX
He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind;
For he is not a man, that he should change his mind.
1 Samuel 15:29
Telena Haneline, Maryville, TN. I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. Psalm 138:1 NKJV
Auburn, AL
Is. 41:13
For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you –do not fear, I will help you.
Betty, Austin, Texas
“even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
Psalm 139:12 NIV
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3
Jennifer
Fort Worth, TX
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34
Shelley
Lebanon, TN
I loved you at your darkest.
Romans 5:8 NIV
Lauren
Fort Worth, TX
Don’t deceive or cheat one another.
Leviticus 19:11 NLT
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Ephesians 4:30 ESV
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Sherry – Jay OK
“So let us do all we can to live in peace. And let us work hard to build each other up.” Romans 14:19, NIrV
Dana Johnson, Waterford WI.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Ro 8:28 NIV
Sara Langone, Santa Fe, NM ” preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; reprieve, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” 2 Timothy 4:2 esv
Barbara Tilley from Lafayette, IN
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)
Mary Fanara, Independence, MO
How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Psalm 62:3 ESV
Lily Green, Madison, AL
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, . . . .” Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
Andrea S. Fort Worth, TX
“And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”
Romans 12:2 KJV
Leah Harvey, Alexandria, VA
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17 NIV)
Linda Nelson – Shreveport, Louisiana
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of loving with you forever.”
Psalm 16:11
Linda Nelson – Shreveport, Louisiana
” But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 NLT
Sarah Rumfield Tomball, TX
And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people , to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
Dequincy, LA
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised is FAITHFUL!
Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
Psalm 18:2 NIV
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Lindsey Gibson Soddy-Daisy, TN Philippians 4:8..KJV 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4:12 ESV (6 of 6)
Gayla
Cedartown, GA
Isaiah 7:9b NIV
“If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.”
“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 NIV
Carol Poplar Bluff, MO Jude ESV
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted
Paula San Antonio TX
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you. So don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope.
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 5:12 ESV
Saying in a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12 ESV
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. “. Galatians 6:9. NIV
Carol form Canton, Mi
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:19
Buena Vista, CO
Ps. 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Kathryn Anderson Jacksonville, FL : 2 Chronicles 7:14 “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and heal their land”.
Melanie, Missiuri
Sorry ladies I missed the beginning of the month (no excuses) just kept putting it off. Here is scripture memorization (#13 & #14) for July.
James 3:9-10 NIV
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Aransas Pass, Texas
“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4 NIV
Roanoke, TX
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (
Wendy Bashor, Lone Butte, BC – Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you, and you will honour me! Psalm 50:15 NET
Tina, New Hope, MN
Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Jackie, Mobile, Al
“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.”
Isaiah 26:9 NIV
PatWilfong, GreenBankWV,
“a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.”
Isaiah 42:3, Holy Bible, NRSV.
Elizabeth Thompson, Florence, AL “rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,”
Romans 12:12 NASB
Esther. Jonesborough TN. Romans 15:4 ESV- for whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement we might have hope.
Hannah, CT- For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” -Is. 41:13, ESV
Karen Collier from the Eastern Shore of Maryland
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
NIV
Totally thought I had posted my June scriptures but I can not find them…so to ne on the safe side…here are my two June scriptures:
See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1Thes 5:15 ESV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God, in Jesus Christ for you. 1Thes 5:16-18 ESV