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)
Lara Lee Bugeja, Royal Palm Beach, FL
Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Brenda Russell, Hendersonville TN
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chron 16:11 (NIV)
Amber Ball, Nicholasville, KY
Romans 8:6 NLT The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Jeanette Plummer – Mesquite, TX
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. ~2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB)
Diane, Hemet CA
I have seen you in your sanctuary, and gazed upon your power and glory.
Psalm 63:2 NLT
Margaret, Falls Church VA
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Cindy S. Walker, Clear Lake area of Houston, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” Matthew 19:26 1984 NIV
Carrie, Liberty, TX
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19 (NIV)
Dana, Clarksville, TN
Thank you for sharing your sweet story!
Psalm 55:22 NLT
“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”
franklin ky
betty jane pedigo
“Commit to the Lord all that
you do and your plans will succeed.” Prov.16:3 NIV
Kerri Eyler, Woodsboro, MD
Live such good lives among the pagans which war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:12 NIV
Shelly Albertville
Proverbs 29:25 GNT
It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you,
but if you Trust in the Lord you are safe.
Kimyetta H. Jonesboro, GA
Philippians 2:7 NIV
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Leigh Clemmons, Shorter, Alabama: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1John 2:15 NLT
Val Arington, Cincinnati:
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Cor: 9:8
Sandra Kelly, Laramie, Wy
I’m copying today. 🙂
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),
Linda Lorring, Reno, NV
Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4 (NIV)
Jenn Loewen
Salem, OR
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
College Station, TX
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Janice Thacker, Sumner, IL
Colossians 3:2-3. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Brandi Hunter, Memphis, TN.
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NASB
EmilyMcAnear, Corona, CA
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! (Psalm 57:7 ESV)
Wendy
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:5-6 NIV
Pam Mesa,AZ
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7. NIV
Elizabeth Mitchell, living in Haverhill, England- Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” NKJV
Katie Miller, Warsaw, IN. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Marilyn, Houston, TX: “Circumsice your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer”.
(Deuteronomy 10:16, NIV)
Jessie, Wellsville, PA. “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” Psalms 34:2 (ESV)
DeeDee Martin
Katy, Tx
Psalms 51:2. NLT
Was me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
Anne Boone, Chesterfield, MI He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:2 ESV
Tshaka; Belgium; See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT
Anne Chen, Cerritos, CA “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
In the fear of the LORD, one has strong confidence and His children will have a refuge.
Proverbs 14:26 NKJ
Amy, Murfreesboro, TN
You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Psalms 139:5, NIV
Susan Peaslee Somerville Maine
I Corinthians 10:10 “Neither mummer ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer” KJV
Nance from Newmarket, ON Canada
“The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.”
Rev 21:12 NLT
Carrie Lyons Homer Glen, IL
Galatians 5:22 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things.
Kathy, Easley SC
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:47 NIV
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:11, 12 ESV)
Carrie Lagas, North Potomac MD
So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Philippians 1:10 NIV
Tina, Columbus Ohio
The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words. Proverbs 10:19, (MSG)
Evelyn Anne, Macon,Ga
Colossians 4:6 (ESV)says,
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Woodburn, IN Micah 6:8 (NKJV) He has shown you, o man, what is good;and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:18 ESV
Kim,
New Port Richey, FL
Psalm119:172 NLT
“Let my tongue sing about Your Word, for all Your commands are right.”
Sherri Zingarelli, Galena, OH:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (TLB)
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” ~ 1 Peter 1:7 NLT