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)
Keely from Hermann, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NIV
Deanna Thomason – Oklahoma City, OK
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
“I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Acts 2:25 (NLT)
Romans 8:16,17 ESV
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Sheilah – Melbourne, FL
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life, in Your Presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
This was one of my past SSMT 2015 verses! Love this one. It comes to mind in the most beautiful ways. 🙂
Pamela Guins – Taylorsville, NC
“The LORD says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.’” Psalm 91:14-15 (NLT)
Wanda Calderwood, Crofton, Maryland
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 17:17 NKJV
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (Daniel 1:8 NIV)
Susan Chung, Long Island, NY
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV
Now it is God who makes us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Kathy, Danvers, MA
Psalm 100:1-2 NIV
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.
Amy B.
Montezuma, IN
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3 NKJV)
Tanya Smith from Kenosha Wisconsin
Mark 7:17-18
Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you?”
Ann, Pawleys Island
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. Ps 139:14 NIV
Stephanie, El Cajon, CA, Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV): “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.:
Kem Green, Des Moines, IA
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. (Psalms 62:5-6 NLT)
Mindy – McDonough, GA
2 Pet 3:9 (NIV) 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
Joni Fastnacht – Lee’s Summit, MO
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:21 ESV
Michelle
Franklin, TN
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 1:14 (HCSB)
Laura from Apopka
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. (Proverbs 3:9 NLT)
Shawna from Shawnee Oklahoma ” Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
Patty Lincoln, Columbia, SC: “And how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.” Rom. 5:4 MSG
Cindy
Rising Sun In
Isaiah 43:19 NLT
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland
stacie Beard, Collins, MS
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20 NKJV)
Cecilia Bramhall, Pflugerville, TX
Psalm 143:8 NIV
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.”
Michelle Vardeman, Russellville, AR:
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23 NIV
Dawn, Orland Park, IL, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Connie,Iowa, NKJV James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the alter? James 2:21
Rhonda Nelson- Grapevine, TX
“You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.”
Acts 2: 28 and Psalms 16:11 NIV
Elsie – Scottsbluff, NE
Acts 20:24 NASB
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Michelle V, Hewitt, TX
We’re not ashamed to have this confidence, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5 GW
Katrinna, Bossier City, LA, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6b (NIV)
Julie Gresham Jackson, MS
Ephesians 6:16 NIV In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Sandy Fry, Bowie, MD
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (Ephesians 3:16 KJV)
Jen Z. Greensburg PA
“Great is the Lord,and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm 145:3 NKJV
Laura from Apopka, FL
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. (Proverbs 3:9, NLT)
Sherron Watkins, Houston, Tx
“So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the true people of God; For he who has once entered God’s rest also has ceased from the weariness and pain of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own. (Hebrews 4:9-10 AMP)
Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (God’s unmerited favor), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP)
Patti; Tampa, Florida
We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul – not the grim strength of gritting your teeth, but the glory strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father Who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us. Colossians 1:11-12 (MSG)
PS: Adrienne, my destiny is to pray Scripture prayers from God’s Word, by faith for everyone whose name is on my prayer list and in any/every prayer journal I’ve ever kept; specifically praying for the lost souls among them to be saved and for the saved to be sanctified by The Truth. I do the praying believing God to save and sanctify, because only He knows what is needed. I’d love to join you in your prayers for your beloved family. I’m literally adding “Adrienne’s family members” to my prayer list right this minute. Sorry about the long comment, but great word, Adrienne. Thank you.
“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
ESV
Kathy, Baton Rouge, LA
“Show me the right path O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
Kim Lee, Faison, NC. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
Amy Spry
Dothan, AL
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Shannon, Shelby, MT
“In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.”
Psalm 119:88 ESV
First time, first verse! Kim Walters, Arvada CO, Phil 2:13-14 NLT God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him. In everything you do stay away from complaining and arguing.
Welcome, Kim!
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
“How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You.”
Ps. 139: 17-18 NIV
Cheryl, Roswell, NM
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
Selena Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
Lenora Grayson, Nixa, Missouri
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (Psalm 1:1 ESV)
Rebecca Holmes, Birmingham, Alabama
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:7-10 NIV)
Vickie Barbee, Poplar Bluff, MO. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV