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!
Martha Stephenson
Olive Branch, MS
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runners over.
Psalm 235
NIV
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. NIV
Heidi Worthey, Moreland, GA
“He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.”
Psalms 121:3-4 NASB
Debby Conway, Clinton Mississippi
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives
Hebrews 12:6 ESV
Claudia, Durham, NC
“As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.””
Romans 8:36 ESV
Sugar Land, TX Romans 11:33 Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! NASV
Mary Fadel Cordova, MD
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 (ESV)
Rachel H., North Alabama,
“‘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
Carol B., Conyers, GA But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NASB)
Jacqueline Davidson Sarnia ON
Luke 6:45(cev)
Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts , but bad people do bad things because of theevilin their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.
Thanks for opening your heart.
Annette Baal Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 14
Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,” NKJV
Lorri Matthews Phenix City, Al.
Isaiah 46:4 NLT
I will be your God throughout your lifetime
Until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg, Oh – Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” NIV Matthew 16:19
Kristen Johnstone
Boulder, CO
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NIV
Coshocton, Ohio [NASB] Psalms 19:14 Let the words my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight ‘O’ LORD,my Rock and my Redeemer
Midlothian Tx
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
NIV Psalm 46:10
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.
Zechariah 14:9 NIV
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
Surely He will save you from the fowlers snare and from the deadly pestilence
Psalm 91:3 NIV
Ashleigh, Terre Haute, IN. Missed my July 1 post: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23, NIV. For July 15: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NIV
Emily Berry, Lugoff, SC
Romans 8:36 ESV
36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Isaiah 2:22 “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” NIV
Beth Lewis, Story City,Iowa
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2, NKJ
Hi Melana, Beth, and Siestas! I am so glad MooseMama has the spotlight this time! I have seen Miesta Moose in pics for years!!
(Was there ever a Miesta Fiesta? ~wink~)
Fran Plott
Opelika, AL
James 1:12 NIV
“Blessed is the man who perserveres under trial, beacause when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Maryse Sturm, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, Europe
zing voor de heer een nieuw lied, zing voor de heer, heel de aarde. zing voor de heer, prijs zijn naam, verkondig van dag tot dag dat hij ons redt. maak aan alle volken zijn majesteit bekend, aan alle naties zijn wonderdaden.
psalm 96:1-3 NBV
Linda H., Buckeye, Az
“Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:29 (MSG)
Lynne Kauffman, Virginia Beach, VA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Vivian, Birmingham, AL
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 NIV
Tulsa, OK – Christian McEndarfer
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16 (ESV)
Beth, London, Ontario
James 1:25 NIV Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.
Hillary Dickey, Diberville, MS
“As Scripture says ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame”.
Romans 10:11 NIV
Cindy Beam
Rogers, AR
“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I might boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.’ 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
Martha, Cocoa, FL
NIV 2Timothy 1:12
Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
Kathie Dini-Alburtis, Pa. Oh my strength , I watch for you. You O God are my fortress, my loving God. But I will sing of your strength in the morning, Iwill sing of your love, for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my strength I sing praise to you; you Oh God are my fortress, my loving God. Ps. 59: 9,16,17 NIV
Susie, Northville, MI
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2
Natalie N.
San Diego, CA
Isaiah 43:19(NKJV)
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Julie Webb City, MO
Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Heather, Hempstead, TX
Psalm 138:3, “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.” (NKJV)
Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, TN
Philippians 2:14-16a NIV
[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16a] as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Christy Richardson-Portageville MO. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
Connie Johnson; Pittsboro, NC
29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. Ephesians 4:29Amplified Bible (AMP)
Lee from IN says, ESV Psalm 91:12 “on their hands they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone”.
Meredith from Columbus, OH: I now send you to them to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins. -Acts 26:17-18 (HCSB)
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.
Isaiah 40:31, NKJV
Debbie from Holbrook, NY
You will keep in perfect peace
him who mind is steadfast
because he trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Susan Peaslee Somerville Maine
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 KJV
Lori Collins – Columbus, GA
Isaiah 40:31 NIV – but 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.
Berni, Albuquerque
“whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way
in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 ESV
Nikki L. Littleton, CO
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
Barbara Slaven
Loudon, Tennessee
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:19