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!
Selena Rosetti, wiggins ms. And my God will meet all your needs According to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Renee, Rockford, MI
“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Mugga, Sheridan Wyoming, 2 Corinthians 1:20-22
For all the promises of God find their yes in Him. that is why I through him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. And it is God who establishes you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us, and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Ashley Reed, Cedar Park, TX – “…circumcised the eighth day; of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ, More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil. 3: 4- 8 (HCSB – continuing to memorize the book of Philippians)
Karen Stark
Tallahassee, FL
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
April Mozingo, Garland TX “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you” – Philippians 2:19 ESV
Boaz, AL
Isaiah 6:8 (NCV)
Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom can I send? Who will go for us?”So I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
Kassandra Christensen Butte, North Dakota
Ephesians 6:13 NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you be able to resist the enemy. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Kaylee Taylor; Stephenville, TX
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Debbie W. – Prattville, AL
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34
NLT
Lynn from Lucas Kansas. “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!”
Psalm 134:1-2 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.134.1-2.esv
Connie
Eugene, OR
“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.” NKJV James 3:14
Toni, Greer, SC. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
Stacey Mills, Warner Robins, GA
See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me on the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24 NIV
Karlys, La Place, LA
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 ESV
Shelly Elston, Portland, Oregon
“My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident in you. No wonder I can sing your praises!”
Psalm 57:7 (NLT)
Karen, Urbandale, IA
“Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.”
Proverbs 10:12 TEV
Heather Boudreaux, Snoqualmie, WA. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 ESV
Ruth, Modesto, CA
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
Ali C., Pleasanton, CA- 6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:6-8 (ESV)
Dede Mitchell Atlantic Beach FL
Isaiah 43:2-3
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Shelley
Lebanon, TN
Create in me a clean heart.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Sherry McCurrie, Russellville, AR
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power, love, and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Polly from Pa
Romans 6:8,9 NIV
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we believe that since Christ was raised from the dead, He can not die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. Ephesians 1:11 NIV
Deb Hansard, E Tennessee
July 15, 2015 at 9:55 am
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. Ephesians 1:11 NIV
Becky
Elkhart, ks
And whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you “this is the way. Walk in it”. Isaiah 30:21. Holman
Jolene, Suwanee, GA
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1:37 ESV
Mary, Atlanta – fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Pammie, Southern CA
“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
Laura, Minneapolis, MN.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. (1 John 5:2 ESV)
April Hughes, Escondido, Ca. “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father.” Ephesians 3:14 ESV
Carrie, St. Paul, MN
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)
Shannon
Houston, TX
Exodus 13:17-18 (NIV)
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
rhonda
gilmer
Jeremiah 32:27(NKJV)
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
Krabi, Thailand. “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day.” Psalm 91:5 (NKJV)
St. Petersburg, Florida
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Barbara Ford – Troy, MO – “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
Shana Hodge, Milton, FL
Psalm 105:4 (NIV) Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always.
Michele S
Edmond OK
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith that you being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephs. 3:17 ESV
and He said to the human race “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding”
Job 28-v 28
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Ephesians 4:17 NIV
Elmwood, Tennessee
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” (GNT)
Jana, Altus, OK
Psalm 77:10-12
“Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Mary, Frisco, TX
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
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.”
Barb Wisconsin. “Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name.” Ps 91:14 ESV
Linda
Peoria, Arizona
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Noreen
Calgary, AB
“Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Sharon Crow, Winchester, VA
“The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.”
Psalm 37:39