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!
Leah Haughton, LA
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
John 15:16 NIV
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6 (RSV) Louise – Irvine, CA
Jessica from Battle Ground, WA
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Psalm 139:16b – “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
bethany, Pensacola FL
“For by the grace you have been saved through the faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is a gift from God , not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9(esv)
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“See if there is any offense in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:24, NIV)
Tempa Babington , Palm Bay, Fl,
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, & he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7 NIV
Dawn
Mt. Olive, NC
Micah7:8 (NIV)
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, theLord will be my light.”
i keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.
Ephesians 1:17 NIV
Tammy, Dothan, Al. “For the spirit God gave does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2Timothy 1:7 NIV
Linda Dameron
Cape Canaverel, FL
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith”.
1John 5:4
ESV
Kim
Colfax, LA
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Sandy E.; Kansas City, Missouri; ” 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.”
Isaiah 46:4 NLT
Christy, Granger, IN “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.” Jer. 32:17 (NIV)
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong.” Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Psalm 19:4 NIV ’84
Their voice goes out into all the earth;
their words to the end f the world. Ps 19:4
Connie Colston, Waxahachie, TX
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Shannon, Columbia, SC
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Norman, Oklahoma
As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the TRUTH.
John 17:18,19. (KJV)
Fenton, Ashburn, VA “persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-” 2Cor. 4:9 NKJV
Alice’ H. Pineville LA:
Phil. 2:3 ESV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Kristi Rogersville,TN
John 15:5 NASB
I am the vine and you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him,
He bears much fruit, for apart from me you are nothing
Cherie poulsbo, wa—
Instead of shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. Isaiah 6:1 NIV
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Amy Cobb, Murfreesboro, TN. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Janelle MacKay, Malta, NY “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18 NIV
Karen Teplik, Mesa AZ “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me: your love, O Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 (NIV)
Debbie Berman, Boyd, TX
“I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord”. Psalms 27:13-14
Andrea Larmer, Hephzibah,GA
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (HCSB)
Susan Jasper, TN
Psalm 66:16 (NIV)
Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what He has done for me.
Becky, Cleveland, TN
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (Romans 2:1 NASB)
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you ; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 NIV
Toni Sidler, Argyle, TX
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.
Psalm 116:15, NASB
Bristow, VA
1 John 2:1 (NIV)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Olda, Huntsville
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.” Daniel 2:20
Sandy Woffard, Rio Rancho, NM
Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Elise, Cypress TX
1 John 4:10 ESV
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins
Carolyn Deevers, Dardenne Prairie, MO
Ephesians 2:9 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Diane Watt, Harker Heights, TX: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Good News Bible
Pray at all times.
Cheryl, Roswell, NM
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Karen, Humble, Texas
Psalm 121:8
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8 NIV
Terri, Harrison Township, MI
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else guard your heart. For everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
Angela Dedman, Murfreesboro, TN. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Psalm 62:8 ” Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” NIV
Charlene
Alabaster,AL
Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV)
When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Tessa from Nacogdoches TX
Psalm 25:4 NASB
Make me know Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Dawn Fuhrman, Cape Coral, FL
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Cor 12:10 ESV)