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!
When I called out to you, you answered me. You made me strong and brave. Psalm 138:3 NIRV
Manassas, Va
Isaiah 46:4
I have made you. I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Giovana Cavarretta, Boca Raton, FL
‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17 ESV)
Linda Speer. Edmonton, Ab
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galations 5:16NIV
Carol Rice Deer Park, Texas
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness,
but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
II Timothy 1:7 (HCSB)
Sharon, St. Louis Hebrews 13:6 NKJV
So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. Proverbs 4:5
Katherine Emerson, Livingston Tx
“…who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:3-5 ESV
Sheilah, Melbourne, FL
Psalm 77:11-13 (ESV)
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God is holy. What God is great like our God?
Berni Isabel Miami Fl
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved”
Romans 10:10 NIV
Jan, Cypress, TX Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Christy Kirby, Plano, TX
“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.” Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Lisa Atkinson, Chappell Hill TX
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
Hi Lisa!!! Its Kimberly… Fun to see your verse today!!
Karen, New Prague, MN
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Kathryn Luedtke, Sherwood Park, Alberta
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for He knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:13,14 NIV
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB
Psalm 1:4-6 NAS The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Fort Smith, AR
Michelle’s verse
Joshua 1:9 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.” (Niv)
Robin Byrd, Columbia SC
“.To Him be Glory in the church and
In Christ Jesus…. Throughout
All generations, for Ever and Ever!
Amen”. Ephesians 3:21. NIV
Job 31:4
Does He not see my ways and count all my steps
Dawn Atwood, Colleyville, TX
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17, NIV
Jean Crawford – Boring, OR
Trust Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8/NKJV
Sheila from Shirley, IN
“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”
John 17:4. NLT
Angela Pisel, Hickory NC
“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”
Psalms 16:8
Brandi Mincey, Hope Mills, NC
The LORD is good to those that depend on him, to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3:25
(NLT)
MaLori, Fort Worth TX, “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”
Jeremiah 32:17 KJV
Connie Vorwald Suffolk, VA
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
Anita, Lawrenceville.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 ESV
Dawn Moore Conway, AR
Ephesians 6:18 NLT
Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Kathy VanAmburg, Norwalk IA
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Ephesians 5:21 NIV
Melissa, Sacramento, CA
“If I walk in the thick of danger, you will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend your hand, your right hand will save me.
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.”
Psalm 138:7-8
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV)
Galatians 6:1 (NIV) “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. “
Jann Sanicola Holtsville, NY
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Alesha Culp, Creswell, Oregon
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34
Elaine ~ Powder Springs, GA ~ Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14 ESV
Michelle, Fort Collins, Colorado
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD GOD you have an everlasting rock!”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV / NRSV
Michelle G. From Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (HCSB)
Sarah Stephenson, Auburn, AL; “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
Aimee, Hemet, CA: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. II Cor. 8:9
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15 NIV
~For the believer, death is a blessing in the sense that it releases us into the Lord’s presence~
From Tishomingo, OK
And if I go there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3 (NIV)
Ruthie Farmer
Brentwood TN
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:16
Jana Stroud, Houston TX
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. (Psalm 116:5, NIV)
Geri, Deer Park, TX
Colossians 1:27. ESV
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Anna, Cincinnati, OH
“Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Psalm 30:4-5 (NIV)
Jessica, Vicksburg, MS. “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 (NLT).
“On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” Psalm 145:5 (ESV)
Sherry Page
Elizabeth, CO
2 Cor. 4:7. NIV
But we have this treasure in jars clay
to show that this all surpassing power is from God
and not from us.