My name is Melana Cummings (aka MooseMama…story to come). I live in Sheridan Wyoming. I have been married to Tim Cummings for 32 years. We met through a letter and he asked me to marry him in a letter. (It’s a very long story, but oh so sweet and God designed!) The first time we kissed was when he put the engagement ring on my finger. It’s not a common way to start out a life together, but we were best friends who got married. He’s still one of the dorkiest people I know. He makes me laugh. He makes me shake my head. He has always said that if I ever leave him, he’s coming with me. We have a 26 year old daughter Sarah, a 16 year old daughter Emily, and a grandson, Jensen, who is 3. I have worked for the State of Wyoming for 28 years, and have a degree in psychology from the only university in the state. I was raised in the Lutheran church but had no idea what a personal relationship with Christ was. When I was 21, Christ sought me out, and I prayed to receive Him. From that day forward JESUS HAS BEEN MY LIFE!
In 2006, I prayed that I would grow even more in my faith and in Christ. About a week later a snippet of video was played about the Bible study, Believing God by Beth Moore (never heard of her!) that would be starting soon. A prayer answered!
A few months later this Beth Moore was going to be in Salt Lake City with Living Proof Live, so myself and 5 friends drove to see her. She taught from Ephesians 3…how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ….to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. One phrase she said “All excess is a result of emptiness”, hit me hard. As a woman who has been overweight all my life, all I could think was “nuh-uh”!
That one Bible Study and Living Proof Live event were the beginning of many more Bible Studies and live events through the last 9 years. My prayers for growth were being answered! I loved reading Beth’s blog and made a lifelong friend through it: Adrienne Hudson (aka Fuzzytop in Tennessee) and I became online friends. In 2008 a friend and I drove from Wyoming to San Antonio Texas for the Living Proof Live, and “Siesta Fiesta”, where I finally got to meet Adrienne face-to-face. I wish I could name all of the Siestas I have met over the years! They have become so dear to my heart and really, an integral part of my life in Christ! Honestly, the kindness, love, support and joy these women have brought to my life is no small miracle.
The most hilarious part of that trip was a stuffed Moose with a Wyoming bandana on his neck. It was my intention to give the moose to Beth as a gift. Well, we started to take pictures of “Miesta Moose” (Miesta is a male Siesta), along the trip. The pictures got posted on a secondary blog that a couple of Siestas had started, which was all about the Fiesta. By the time we arrived in San Antonio, Miesta Moose had become somewhat of a celebrity. And so it began. I took him to every Beth Moore event I went to. He would even end up in recap pictures, and then Siestas from all around the country, most of whom, I had never met, asked me to send him to them so they could take him to the event in their area. He has been kissed and carried by some of the most wonderful women! Around his neck, he wears the wristbands from the events he has attended. I became MooseMama. He became so recognizable, that women asked to have their pictures taken with him. It pleased me that he showed up at tapings and book signings that Beth was doing.
In 2009, I felt God really was telling me that I could be more of what He wanted for me if I lost that excess weight and fill the emptiness with Him. I lost 120 lbs. in a year’s time. I was leading Bible Studies. I was teaching Sunday School. I even went on a mission trip to Africa with my church. Something I never would have tried when I was so overweight. Prayers answered!
The year 2011 brought with it a season of severe loss and struggle. A heart attack altered the health of my husband, my oldest daughter became a widow at 22. Two weeks following her husband’s death she discovered she was expecting our grandson Jensen. I grew steadily depressed with these changes and gained back all the weight I had lost. I felt like I was trying to hold everything from flying apart. I was exhausted. We stopped going to church. But God…
We returned to church last year, and God is showing me how He used Jensen to redeem these past few years. His faithfulness to me never faltered. This verse has never meant more to me, than now. Today it is my verse to memorize:
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN!
Tina, Columbus Ohio
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NIV
Stephanie Marchbanks from Ennis, TX
Continuing to learn Isaiah 53:
Isaiah 53:7
English Standard Version (ESV)
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
Deb Mott, Bradenton, FL Ephesians 6:11 (NASB)
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Rhonda H Wade
Buchanan GA
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.
Leigh Clemmons, Shorter, Alabama: I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 3 John 1:4 NLT
Cheryl Cannon – Concord, NC
“For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God?
Or am I trying to please man?
If I were still trying to please man,
I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1.10 ESV
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you.
Proverb 22:17-19
Judy Coles, Orangeville, ON
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.
South Portland, Maine
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Michelle Baylerian, Greenville, WI
“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you”
Luke 6:38 ESV
07/01
Port lions Ak
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Ephesians 3:14-15a NIV)
Melana,
I was so happy to read your post. I knew your name but it was great to hear more of your story. I would LOVE to take Miesta Moose with me to LPL-Milwaukee on August 14-15. Any chance?? Hoping to meet you face to face in Houston in January
“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.” Romans 8:28 NIV84
Micah 7:7 NIV
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Kim Safina
Los Osos, California
Our light and monetary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17
🙂 Siestas sharing our faith is my comfort “in such a time as this.” Grateful & Thankful ♡
Scripture Reading ♡ Prayers ♡ LPM Outreach =
Joy in my Heart. ♡ Blessed to know so many of you!
Romans 8:28 NIV84 “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.”
Ginger S. Lowe
Wetumpka, AL
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you 2 Thess. 3:1 HCSB
Marie, Kinard, FL
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 NKJV
Melana, thank you so much for sharing. I was touched by your story and teared up when I read your verse. This very verse I was reading this morning studying the Bible via phone with my fiancee who is 8000 miles away.
Debbie George, Marion, IN. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24(NIV)
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee
“Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.”
James 5:3 NIV
Jennifer Lane, Grand Rapids, MI
Philippians 2:14 NIV
“Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
Krista Winchester, VA
Hebrews 11:1 HSCB
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Kim, Gaithersburg MD
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:39 NIV)
Marcy, Eagle Bridge, NY
Psalm 107:9 “For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.” ESV
April Smith San Angleo, TX
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.”
—Isaiah 41:13 esv
The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11 NIV)
MarlaMae, Kimmell, IN ~ My help and glory are in GOD–granite-strength and safe-harbor-GOD–so trust him absolutely people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.
~Psalm 67:7-8 (MSG)
Kathy, Baton Rouge, LA
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Kathleen D
Bernardsville, NJ
Romans 15:13 NIV
” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Diana Scott, Romulus MI
Galatians 6:9 NLT – 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.
Connie – Fulton, Ky
5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6.. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV 1984
Thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony. Your honesty in the details. Your humility in the telling. Your lovely smile. Your iconic moose. Oh, the encouragement from reading about your victory in Christ on the other side of a season of loss and struggle. I have a feeling that I am not going to be the only Siesta touched bone deep by your words. I am certain a cloud of witnesses rejoice in heaven at your return from despair. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 15:13. Blessings to you, Siesta.
Vicki from Grapevine, TX
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ~ Psalm 139:14 NIV
Beth Brovold, Andover, MN: “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ASV)
Julie Ratcliff, Texarkana,TX,”For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV)
Sarah Miller. New Palestine, IN.
Continuing memorizing Ephesians 4:22-24
To be made new in the attitude of your minds
Ephesians 4:23 (NIV).
Santa Clarita,CA: ” Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might dare to die”. Rom 5:7
Cheryl R Midlothian
Do not be anxious about anything , but in everything , by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving present your requests to God . Phil 4:6
Melina thank you for sharing .. And know you are loved by the Lotd
And many others . Big hugs
Janet from Odessa, TX
if 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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14. ESV
Elizabeth Steed, Rockwall, Texas (June 15)
2 Tim. 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Elizabeth Steed, Rockwall, Texas (July 15)
1 Thes. 1:1-3
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Melana, I was so moved reading your story–thank you so much for sharing it! I’m hoping to go to the Siesta memory event in January (my first!) and would love to meet you and Miesta! God bless you in your journey through this season of life.
Rachel- Cumming, GA
Psalm 56:3-4 (GNT)
When I am afraid, O Lord Almighty,
I put my trust in you.
I trust in God and am not afraid;
I praise him for what he has promised.
Donna, Athens, Georgia
“He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.”
–John 1:8 (RSV-CE)
Kay, Deer Park TX
Psalm 139:20 ESV
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Billie, Yucca Valley, CA
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalms 34:18 (NIV)
Suzy from Cedar a Falls, IA
Continuing the passage – 1 Corinthians 13:6 (ESV)
“it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. “
Elaine from Greenville SC
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another, forgive as the Lord forgave you, Colossians 3:12-13