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)
Tera Ferguson
Gardendale, Alabama
Psalm 119:16 NIV
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Jena
Ruston, LA
“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
James 1:19-20 (NIV) My dear brothers & sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to become angry, 2 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Catasauqua, PA
Joel 2: 21 (NLT)
Don’t be afraid my people. Be glad and rejoice for the Lord has done great things!
Stacey, Tomball, Psalm 25:8
Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
Terri Lopez, Cedar Grove, WI
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 NIV
Anna Lange Mobile, AL
Ephesians 1:7 KJV
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Cynthia, Russellville, Arkansas
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Debbie in Spanish Fort, Al
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16 NIV
Molly Legg Gainesville GA
“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1:3 NASB
Kay Richmond, Va
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12
Spanish Y este es mi mandamiento: que se amen los unos a los otros, como yo los he amado.
Becky, Edmonton, Canada
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: take your ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going to work, walking around life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Rom. 12:1 the Message
Stephanie B.
Augusta, GA
Col 3:15 (ESV)
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Nancy, Edmonds, Washington
Matthew 5:11 (NIV)
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Brigette Brock, Morehead, KY
See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1
NIV
“But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.”
I Thessalonians 2:2 NKJV
Davina Denny Novato, CA. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
6/15 – Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Laura Willard, Cedar Park, TX
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10
Ruth, Shawnee, KS
Psalm 27:11-12 (NIV)
Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
Isaiah 43:2 MSG
“When you are in over your head, I’ll be there for you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.”
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 ESV
Bethany Sullivan from Converse, IN
John 15: 23-25
” He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.'”
Bonnie O’Shields, Dacusville, SC
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12 HCSB
Lynda Staton – Keo, AR. #12
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Gal. 6:4 NLT
Heather Hoch Pflugerville, TX
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Eph 3:21 (NASB)
Dawn, Beavercreek, OH
“Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to You.”
Psalm 86:4 (NLT)
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10
debbie
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV
Diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope at your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Eph. 4:3-6 HCSB
DLynn Miracle; Argyle TX
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
Psalm 25:9 ESV
Crystal and Reese, Canton MI
Psalm 84:12 NLT
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in you.
Lise Ode, Cumming, GA
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each Day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NAS)
Kathy French, Austin
“Those who look to Him are radiant. Their faces are never covered with shame. ” Psalm 34:5 NIV
Tammie Head, Houston, TX. “Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have.” 2 Peter 1:12, NET
To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Expansion 3:12 (ESV)
To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Expression 3:12 (ESV)
Kirby Ray, Parsons, KS. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow; thought they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NIV
Ann Thiede, Searcy, AR: John 14:26 (NIV)
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. PSALM 119:125. Vanessa Peacock Augusta, Georgia
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 Life Application NIV
Missy
Humble, Texas
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
I Cor. 9:24 KJV
Tracie Johnson, Taylorville, IL
Psalm 121:6 AMP
The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.
Laura Naiser – Georgetown, TX
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25, ESV
Morgan Roberts
Brandon, MS
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence…” Acts 4:29 NASB
Diane – Spring, Texas:
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) ESV
Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.
John 11:22 (MSG)
…the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
Psalm 8:8
Maria Cristina Bruschi – Orlando, Florida
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Ps 32:7, NIV
Phillipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, but prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God