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!
For the grace of God has appeared that offers ssalvation to all people. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2 11-12 NIV
Natalie Macek, from Damascus, MD: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV 1984
Beverly Reeder, Columbus,Ms.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever noble , whatever right, whatever pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things. Philippians: 4:8 NIV
Scarlett Nokes, Savannah, GA
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.””
Isaiah 40:8 NLT
Melanie Anderson, Groesbeck, TX
“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.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV(1984)
Dorelle Hogan, Hot Springs, AR, “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)
Lee Ann Kelley, Fairhope, AL
As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1. NIV
““Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
Deb Harney – Columbia City, IN – ” Pray continually ” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
Isaiah 58:10 ESV
Christy Jones, Summit, MS; “The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV
Connie, Tyler Tx. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but wordly sorrow brings death.” 2Cor. 7:10 NIV
Sandy Fry from Bowie, Maryland
Memorizing from June 15- August 1
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19 KJV)
Sara Weick Jonesboro, AR
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
Traphill, NC. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the. Look of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:7 NIV
Gail, Atascadero, CA
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.
Psalm 32:10 NIV
Jeannine, Pelican Rapids, MN
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 ESV
Psalm 2:3 (NET)
How long will you threaten a man?
All of you are murderers, as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence.
Lenora Grayson, Nixa, Missouri
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3 ESV)
Vicki C., Lenexa, KS
Micah 6:8 ESV
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Amanda Teske, Chandler AZ
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1, ESV.
Kelly, Ca. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 NIV
“I 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
Linda, Las Vegas, NV
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 NIV
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” –2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Kim Lee, Faison NC: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:4 (NKJV)
Beverly from huntsville AL. If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Mary Jane, Troy KS. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it my benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Kerry from Houston, TX
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matt. 5:8 NASB
Allison L., Tulsa, OK
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
Philippians 3:1-4, ESV
Val, Aldergrove, BC Canada
‘But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.’ Matthew 6:33 NIV
Barbara Bollman,
West Fargo, ND
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4.13 NIV
Melany, Van Alstyne, TX
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 (NIV)
Gina Rosamond, Ca
James 1:5 NASB
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Roseanne, Tacoma, WA
Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty
hand of God so that at the proper time He may
exalt you,casting all your anxieties on Him,
because He cares for you.
1Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Susan Jezek, St. Petersburg, Florida
“Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 NLV
Needing motivation at work this week!
Leah, Westerville, OH
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27
Laura, from Nashville, Indiana. “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3, HCSB
JoAnne ~ Casper, WY ~ Hebrews 13:16 NIV ~ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Jennifer O. Corpus Christi, TX
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.” 1 John 1:3 NIV
Forrest City, AR
Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1 John 2:6 NIV
Jan Bean, Amarillo TX
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Colossians 3:12 MSG
Kim, Laguna Niguel, CA
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Elizabeth Peck, Fairfax Station, VA: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Ps 51:10 NIV 1984
Karen – Greer,SC: “Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!” Psalm 119:169 (ESV)
Yorba Linda, CA. Isaiah 53:5 (NAS). But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
Claire Veronie, Bryan, TX
“The cords of death encompassed me and the terror of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord:”O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!” Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate.” Psalm 116:3-5, NASB
Vicki, Merriam, KS
Psalm 103:1,2
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,