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!
Cara, Stillwater, OK- Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5 NASB)
Elsie -Scottsbluff, NE
Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)
I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Meredith Cox, Irmo, SC
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)
Linda Proffitt -Louisville, KY
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, – 1 Peter 3:15
ESV
Sally H., Port Orchard, WA
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in you salvation.”
Psalm 13:5 NIV
Sara Martin, Houston, TX: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21, NIV
merilee New Sharon Ia
If You will only help me to want Your will,
Pslams 119:32a CLB
Ashley
Alexandria, La
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT)
Rockford, IL For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. ESV 2 Corinthians 4:17
Julie, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God.
Psalm 27:13,14 The Message
Phyllis Winn
Gilmer, Tx
NIV Psalm 147:11
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
Kristin Kellett, Tulsa, OK. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.
Romans 8:25 (NLT)
Susan, Overland Park, KS
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Mt. 5:9 NIV
Pam G., Centreville, VA
Psalm 16:5-6 (Good News Translation)
You, Lord, are all I have,
and you give me all I need;
my future is in your hands.
How wonderful are your gifts to me;
how good they are!
Psalm 146:8 NIV
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
Isaiah 65:24 NIV
Dawn in Monett, MO
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
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)
Michelle Rademacher – Aurora, IL
“He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:22 (ESV)
Springfield, MO
Show me the way i should go, for to you i entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8b TNIV
Mary, Lilburn GA, Acts 4:12. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. NIV
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20, ESV
Annette Green, Roach, MO
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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,”
Camille Benson, Knoxville, TN-
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1)
Brooke Rosetti, Wiggins, MS
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Marsha, Angleton TX “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 NIV84)
Kim S., Nashville, TN
Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11 (ESV)
Linda Marty; Colorado Springs, CO
Romans 15:13 NIV
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mandi… Edmond, OK… ” Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV
Deanna Ellis Lexington, SC
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
Wanda Calderwood, Crofton, Maryland
“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.” Isaiah 57:1
Sonia Kibe, Morrilton, Arkansas
“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”
Psalm 1:2
Diane LeJeune, Fairview, TN
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Tammy Cosby, Siloam NC…..2 Samuel 22:33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (NIV)
Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; submit to Him in all your ways and He will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. NIV
Ann from Mandeville, la
Ephesians 3:16 (niv)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being.
Anne Boone, Chesterfield, MI ‘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
Sarah Dickinson tx
Romans 10:13 New American Standard Bible
for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Janice – Topeka, KS
NIV
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went through out Galilee teaching in their synagogues preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Wichita, KS
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Sheila, Williston, ND
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)
Cara Reyes
Dickinson Texas
Jeremiah 32:17New International Version (NIV)
17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Kimberly Moore
Austin Texas
Love one another with brotherly affection, Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10 ESV
Carol Peavy, Jena, LA
How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake I am still with You.
Psalm 139-17-18 NIV
Audrey, Ohio
Matthew 5:7-8 TNIV
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Anne, Simpsonville,SC ” O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for You!” Jeremiah 32:17 NLT
Emily Hayes. Conway, Arkansas. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25. NIV
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY, “So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.”
2 Corinthians 8:11 (AMP)
Clearwater, Florida
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8. NIV
Karen Laughlin, Deweyville, TX
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)
With all wisdom and understanding he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed n Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Ephesians 1:9-10 NIV