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!
Lauren Warner, Austin TX “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 NLT
The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in rhe gospel.
Mark 1:15
Amanda, Washougal, WA
“Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” Psalm 90:2 NLT
Michelle Moultrie, Birmingham, AL
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,”
Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)
Karen Minot, ND
Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size–abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
2 Corinthians 12:10 MSG
Misty Sanders, North Charleston, 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
Ashley Edwards, Chelsea, Alabama
” If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30 (NIV)
Lisa Cooper, Fort Worth, TX:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5 NIV
Sarnia, ON
“There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called -” Ephesians 4:4
Bethany Mowat, Evart, Michigan Lift up your eyes on high and see! Who has created these? He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name; through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing or lacks anything. Isaiah 40:26 AMP
Justine Crawford, Las Vegas NV
Ephesians 2:4
Life Application Bible / NLT
BUT God is so RICH in mercy, and he loved us so much (emphasis added)
Psalm 145:13 NIV
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does
Fort Worth, TX
Philippines 2:3-4 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Anne, Athens, Greece
Proverbs 18:10 – NLT – The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the godly unto Him & are safe.
Carla Kaney, Adel, Iowa “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Darcy, Spokane, WA
“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
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge
and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
Denise from Walters, Ok
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 ESV
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
21 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.”
kathy leesville,la Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Julie Richardson, Grand Rapids, MI
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again” –John 4:13
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5: 22-23 NIV
Joyce Grimes – Pace, FL
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV)
Suzanne Kragt
Eden Prairie, Mn
Colossians 3:4
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.
Sherrie Lynn, Collierville, TN
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NLT)
Janet, Torrington, WY
(on a mission trip in Nashville, and visited the Islamic Center of Tennessee today, pray!)
“And the LORD will be King over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD-
His name alone will be worshipped.”
Zechariah 14:9 NLT
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Tina D Biloxi,MS
Ps 143: 8 (NIV)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.
Carrie Gill. Tyler,TX. “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 63:8 NIV
Belen Gaeta, San Juan Capistrano, CA.
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Luke 15:32 (NIV)
Lisa Landis
Castro Valley, CA
Psalm 147:16 NIV
“He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.”
Kristel from Russellvile
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 3:23 NASB
“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Rom11:15. NASB
Jennifer Wilson, Brentwood CA, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Diane S., Macungie, PA
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
Romans 6:22 NIV
Pam says “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Vikki Stemler, Jeffersonville, IN
Love in Action
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12: 9-13, NIV
Laura from Gilbert AZ. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Kari White, Fulton, SD
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Amanda, Sherman, TX
Psalm 34:2 KJV
“My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”
Carol Cottrell, Tucker Georgia.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ who lives within me. The life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NIV
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
Wendi, Simi Valley, CA
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1,2
(NIV)
Deborah Bell, Bridgeton, NJ
(13). No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Misty Weare, Alliance, NE
2 Thessalonians 2:10, ESV
And with all the wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Stephanie from Houston, TX: “I am the vine; 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)
Michele-Lubbock, TX
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying,that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Joanne Verzi from Austin, TX: “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” Proverbs 3:8 NIV
Jamie – Paramount, Ca
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45 NLT
Val Parker Dequincy La For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10 KJV)