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)
Esther. Jonesborough TN. Romans 15:2 ESV. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Sandra M. Arnold, Paris, Tennessee
“But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.'” Jeremiah 7:23 (NASB)
Brenda, Midlothian, VA “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Irene, White Pigeon MI- The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:26 NIV
Shelley, Brigham City, Utah
1 Corinthians 7:19-20 ESV
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Wendy Buttrey Acworth, Ga
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Phillipians 4:6 MSG
Thank you for sharing this Adrienne! So needed this reminder as we pray (as we have been for almost 40 years) still for our loved ones 🙂 This looks like another verse to put down to memory! 😉
Sue
Renee, Kodak TN, Colossians 3:7 NLT
You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
Jill Miller; Akron, IN “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV
Christy Billingsley, Hattiesburg, MS
“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; the celebrate your righteousness.”
Psalm 89:15-16 NIV
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV)
Holly Barrett, Crossnore NC
“And this too shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Zechariah 6:15b ESV
Malorie Elrod, sharpsburg Ga- Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7 NIV)
Kari Turner
Charlottesville, VA
For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. (John 1:16 AMP)
Kristen Schwark, Indianapolis, IN
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
I will lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2 NIV
Joy Bruhnke, Ft. Myers, Fl
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:2, NIV
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Proverbs 11:12-14 ESV “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense; but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Katy, TX, Colossians 2:6, 7, NLT
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Steph Siegel, WM, NJ:
“Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” Galatians 6:8 NLT
Christy, Granger,IN “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Col. 4:5 (NIV)
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:12-13
Because she holds fast to me in love, I will deliver her;
I will protect her, because she knows my name.
Ps. 91:14 ESV
Lisa Walden – Grand Prairie Tx
Luke 11-2:4
He said to them, “When you pray say: ‘Father hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”
Stacey. Belton, TX. Galatians 5:22-23 NASB
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your rule is for all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words, and gracious in all His actions.” Psalm 145:13
Kim Joyner; Poplar Bluff, MO. “With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:24 (NASB)
Rene’ Pingel, Cape Girardeau, MO
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV
Cindy Matter
North Potomac, MD
He only is my Rock and my salvation, My stronghold: I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 62:6 NASB
Sarah Franke – College Station, TX – May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Mary Witte, Grand Rapids, MN
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
Aubrey Eubank Palmetto GA
Philippians 4:8 CEVU
Finally, my friends, keep your minds in whatever is
True, pure, right, friendly and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and praiseworthy.
Kris Morrissey, Omaha, NE
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Cheri Bunch, Louisville, KY
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:17 ESV
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again mo more forever. The Lord shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:13-14 KJV
Sandra
Wichita Falls, TX
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Camille Benson, Knoxville, TN-
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:21 NIV)
Alice, Chesapeake Va.
I Corinthians 13:6. NIV
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Linda, Longview: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Beth Bellow, Houston, Psalm 51:10 ESV
Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Sheila H., Mitchell, MB, Canada
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NASB)
Dawn Wells, Fort Worth, TX
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12 NIV
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:11-14 NLT
Abbey Le Roy, Bluefield, West Virginia. “I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV)
Connie Colston, Waxahachie TX
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1 NIV)
Vicksburg, MS
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:3
NKJV
Kristin Funston, Memphis, TN
“they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23
Kelly, auburn Al, “to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:21 NIV
Dianne – Magnolia, TX
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.