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!
Kelly in Arkansas.
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”
Psalm 63:6 NIV
Jen Pond, Iron River, MI
Psalm 34:18 NLT
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Linda, Longview, Tx: There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
Lisa Martin. Chesterfield, Mo
Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God.
May your gracious spirit lead me forward on firm footing.
Psalm 143:10. NLT
Lindsey at. Augustine, FL
Ecclesiastes 7:12 NIV “wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this; that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.”
Emily Menard {New Orleans, LA} “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Phil. 4:12 ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phillip and 4:8
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at wor within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen
Ephesians 4:20,21 NIV
Bel Air, MD
Exodus 4:11-12 So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” NKJV
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
Oops! Hebrews 12: 1-2 is from NASB
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
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 may benefit those who listen.
Eph. 4:29 NIV
Debbie Brubaker, Robstown, TX
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
Mayetta Curtis, Springfield, MO “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,and there are no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord and I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17,18 (NIV)
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16 NIV
Tryon, NC
Karen Beckles, Toronto Canada
So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galations 2:20 (NLT)
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“I will praise You, for I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows it well.” Psalm 139:14 (Recovery Version Online)
Cape Girardeua, Missouri
John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Angie G.
Albertville, AL
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Col 3:15 NASB
Beth – Concord, NC
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.
He will not let your foot slip –
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Psalm 121:1-3 NIV
“For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
Like 6:45 NIV
Houma, La
Jones Creek, Texas
Whoever believes in Him
Shall have eternal life.
John 3:16
(NIV)
Kim Fishers, IN “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:27 NIV
Lindsay Newman, Prophetstown, IL. ” Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22, NIV
Nanette Smith Jacksonville, TX
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be first-born among many brethren
Romans 8:29 NAS
Morgan Myers from Chandler, OK
“and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” (James 2:3 NKJV)
Denisha Bonds, Boynton Beach, FL: “…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
Delba
Dorsey,MS
You planned evil against me;God planned it for good to bring about the present result- the survival of many people . Genesis 50:20 HCSB
Bonnie, Alexandria, LA
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 NLT
Toni Schumacher Amarillo Texas
For the Lord God is a sun & shield; the Lord bestows favor & honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalms 84:11 NIV
God will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 KJV
Michelle Rodriguez, Beavercreek, Ohio
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NIV
Julianne August, Orangeville, Ontario
“Don’t sin by letting anger gain control of you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” Psalm 4:4 NLT
Linda W. from Tomball, TX;
“Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like You?” Psalm 71:19 (ESV)
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1: 37 ESV
Trust Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8 NKJV)
Patrice McMurtrey, Crestwood, KY
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.
JOB 22:21 NIV
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 1 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Eph3:14-17
Kaci;Thomasville, Ga
“I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 NCV
Emily Bowden, Augusta, GA
“Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change in shifting shadows.”
-James 1:17 NIV
Corpus Christi, TX:
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the holy Spirit.'”
John 20:22 NAB
Vanessa, Corrales NM
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; May your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Ps. 143:10 NIV
Anita Siecker, Purcellville, VA
For I am the Lord, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV84
Peggyann Calderwood
Crestview, Florida
“Whatever you do, work at it with ALL YOUR HEART
as working for the LORD, not for man.”
Colossians 3:23
Ellen Roth from Bad Axe Michigan:
The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:27a
Billie Jauss, Naples, FL “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT
Michelle K, New Baltimore, MI
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 NRSV
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
James 5:4 ESV
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of The Lord of hosts.
Jenni Neal, Dunn, NC
“Ah Lord God! behold thou hast made the heaven and earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
Denise, Gardners, PA
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)