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!
Selina from Ky.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22 KJV
Jenny
Covington, KY
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Pam Coleman
DeLeon Springs, Florida
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. John 14:1-4 (NIV)
Sarah Winslow Franklin, TN
Psalm 23:2-3 NIV
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name sake.
Fruita, CO
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
John 15:1-2 NLT
Karen McCormick, Waco, Texas – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
John 15:7 “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio–Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. Romans 10:1 NLT
Cher Goeder, Toledo, OH
I John 2:28 NIV
“And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.”
Ashley
Royal Oak, MI
“O Lord, you are are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” – Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Becky Davis, Huntington, WV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,” Romans 8:38 (NIV)
Lori Eagen, Windsor Ontario Canada… Father, if you are willing, please, take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine. LUKE 22:42 NLT
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”
Psalm 33:18-19 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.33.18-19.niv
Beth Coker Medford, OR. ‘But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.’ Gal 6:4 ESV
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ” 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
judy Conn, Ashland , Ky: ” For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Phillipians 2:13 NLT
Chrissy Hilliard, Overland Park, KS
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
Brady Bradshaw, Cedar Rapids, IA. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Sherwood, OR – Matthew 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. (ESV)
Mary Beth Nickerson, Lascassas, TN
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1 NLT)
Tina Lockhart, Gulfport, Ms
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalms 43:5)ESV
Veronica-Atlanta, Georgia
Isaiah 40:8 the grass withers, the flowers fade but, the word of our God stands forever . Living bible
Marianna Behrends, San Angelo, TX
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT
Christy from Holland, MI
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, NIV
Staunton, IL
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.”
Eph 6:17. NIV
Sue-Elise, Burkesville, KY
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
-Eph 6:17 NLT
Mary THomas
LExington, KY
Mary Jayne, Qulin MO
“Father if it is Your will take this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42
NKJV
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowul; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11 NASB
Terri Fullerton, Abilene, TX
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
Eph 4:3, NIV
Laura Hagedorn, Rib Mountain, WI., Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 | NIV
Sandra, Houston, Tx.
I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might (power) through His Spirit in the inner man…
(Eph. 3:14-16 NASB)
Danielle Pleasant, Pinewood, SC
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalms 27:14 NKJV)
Christine, Greenville, SC
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 ESV
Tanya, Raleigh, NC
Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”John 20:22 (ceb)
Hendersonville, TN
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
(NIV)
Judy Pauley, Norfolk, Va.
He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. Psalms 147:13
Anita, Miami, FL
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV)
Mary Jo Stayton, Independence, Missouri
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
Prove me, O Lord, and try me;test my heart and my mind. For you steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. – Psalm 26:2-3 (ESV)
Paola Hernandez-Hoffmann, Pinellas Park, Fl
Pro.2.6.ESV
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Renee Hui, British Columbia, Canada
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Beth Hurst, Ypsilanti, MI
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Amy M, Fifty Lakes MN
‘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)
jackie moore – brookville, ohio
Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.
Psalm 25:4-7 (NIV)
Lara Lee Bugeja, Royal Palm Beach, FL
Ephesians 4:29 – 32 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Tara-Rockwall, Texas
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled. Do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Angie Martens, Charlotte, NC
Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)