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!
Mary McKinley Scottsboro, AL
For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. Esther 10:3 KJV
Bobbie Jo
San Angelo, TX
But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. (Romans 8:25 NCV)
Karen, Richardson, TX
Keep your tongue from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:13 NKJV
emi, white house, tn: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13 ESV
Vicki, Surprise AZ
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8 NKJV
Leslie G-Warner Robins, GA
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Amen! I’m a Warner Robins native! (NHS class ’73)
Michelle, Hart, MI
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NASB
Deltona, FL You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm32:7 ESV
Vickie, Spokane,WA
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training
in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good
work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
Kathi Griffin from Macon, GA:
The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
Lapel, IN. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV)
Julie McGirk, Prescott, AZ
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
Joshua 1:9 NLT “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Laurie, Austin, TX
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8 ESV)
christina moore, Plano, Texas~
“Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and His arm rules for Him;
behold, His reward is with Him,
and His recompense before Him.”
Isaiah 40:11, ESV
Amalia Smith.
Lumberton Tx
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Jill Greer, Medina, TN
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Psalms 116:15 KJV
Jerri Hadley, Wimberley TX
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Vanessa from Calgary, AB
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5 NIV
Joy West Monroe, LA
“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”
1 John 1:6 NIV
Heather R – Boulder, CO
The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2Tim 1:7 NIV
Benton, AR
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Psalm 27:13 ESV
To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy. Psalm 59:17 NKJV
Janine – Corona, CA
“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
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out.” Ezekiel 34:11 KJV
Ronda from Murfreesboro, TN
“He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:2 (HCSB)
Amy Mc-J Weddington, NC
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
Psalm 75:3
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Stacy B. Detroit Michigan
“pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Matthew 6:32 (niv)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10 ESV
erin george
Columbus, OH
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3 NIV)
Linda Hite, Borger, TX.
““Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?”
Jeremiah 32:27 HCSB
La Plata, MD.
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:22 NKJV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth. and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV
Linda Spahr in Lusby, MD
Jeremiah 33:6 (NIV)
“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”
Chris
Canton, NC
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:8 NKJV
Alice, Chesapeake Va.
Psalm 4:8 NIV
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Kim Freeman Fort Worth, Texas Psalm 71:14-16 NIV
But as for me I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long; though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
Maureen Guilbault, Pascoag, RI
Happy is the Nation whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 33:12
NRSV
Gabriella Houston, Rocklin CA
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? 1 Peter 2:20 Faith Girlz NIV
Wendy Houston, Rocklin CA
Hold on to your hope, for He who promises is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Kaye from Hamburg,AR
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NIV)
Denise from Snowcreek, VA. NKJV. Job 22:21. Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at Peace; thereby good will come to you.
Meredith
Collierville TN
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25 Life Application NRSV
July 15: I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
July 1: (forgot to post!)We love because He first loved us. 1John 4:19 NIV
Lauren Kennedy, Denham Springs, LA
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
SUzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
But if anyone has the world s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God s love abide in him?
1 John 3 17 esv
Michele Moore, Fairfield. OH – Romans 6:14 –
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.( PTL for that)