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!
Rene’ Pingel, Cape Girardeau, MO
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Pam Bryant – Kountze, Tx
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but The Lord
delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19 NKJV
Kim S., Ridgeland, MS —
“Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!”
Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
Jen from Wyoming
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them
Psalm 34:7 NIV
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
Mary-Katherine Rogers, New Albany, OH
Numbers 6:24-26, NRSV
“The LORD bless and keep you.
The LORD make his face to shine upon you; and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Sissy Youngblood, Ruston Louisiana
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God
that brings salvation to everyone
who believes.
Romans 1:16 NIV
Donna King, Crossville, TN
“Indeed, you are our Glory and Joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:20
Kate K., Lafayette, IN
“And 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.” Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
Jennifer M, Dayton OH “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” Luke 1:45 NIV
Kira Chaloupka; Auburn, AL
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)
Alaina // Tyler, TX
Eph 3:15-16 NIV
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being…(TBCont.)
Kirsten Pierce, Boones Mill, VA. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV.
Liz Scherer, Fort Worth, TX
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Dayton, Ohio Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Kathy, Missouri City, TX
Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Sue from Kalamazoo, MI. “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” I Cor. 13.7 NIV
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should now, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Should read, “every knee should bow”
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. (Ephesians 5:1 NLT)
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN
“I will search for the lost & bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured & strengthen the weak, but the sleek & strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”
Ezekial 34:16 (NIV)
***I LOVE the HCSB version as well: “I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat & strong. I will shepherd them with justice.” Please, dear Lord, continue to Bless America…
Kristin R
Fort Worth, TX
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
1 Peter 2: 1-2 NIV
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Debbie Hernandez, Atascocita, TX
“…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
(Eph 3:21 NIV)
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborer so are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2 ESV
Jill Hill – Houston – James 1:15 NIV – Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Amy Spry
Dothan, AL
1 John 2:3 NIV
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
Karen
Bingham Lake, MN
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 ESV
Julie Gresham Jackson, MS
Ephesians 6:18 NIV “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Deanna Thomason – Oklahoma City, OK
“You hem me in behind and before and lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5 (ESV)
Beth, Toronto: “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.” Ps. 143:8 (NIV)
Fay, Springfield, MO
Psalm 16:11 NLT
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Missy B. Fuquay Varina, NC
“God’s way is perfect. All the lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
(2 Samuel 22:31)
Memphis, Tn
“For I am sure that neither death nor life , nor angels nor rulers,nor things present nor things to come, nor powers , nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation , will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ”
Romans 8: 38-39 ESV
Kristine from Welland Ontario
” Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. ”
Psalm 37:4 (AMP)
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, TX
1 John 4:10, 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. ESV
Laura Grassi, Denver, CO
Ah, Lord God! It is you who has made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“This is what The Lord says, ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,'”
Jeremiah 9:23 NIV
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, TX
1 John 4:11, Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.ESV
Laura D, Cleveland, OH. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;”
Lamentations 3:21-22 ESV
Michone, Butte, MT – “See, I have engraved you in the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:16 NIV
“God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them,take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God”
Ecclesiastes 5:19 HCSB
Susan C., Houston, TX
My brothers hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing favoritism. James 2:1, HSCB
Alicia Casady, Columbia, MO
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17, NIV
Trish – Clover, SC
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1 NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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.
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 NIV
Carol, Oak Park, CA
Hebrews 4:14 NIV
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone throught the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Sandra, Springville, Al
Whoever loved discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 NIV
Angie Simpson, Markham ON
Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and your
outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV
Terri McKeever Katy, TX
I will instruct you and teacher you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8