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!
Jo, Columbia, Missouri
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:7-9 NIV
Dena Bibb, Stockton, CA ““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
Jennifer Jones from Coweta, OK
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
Beth Evans
Kingfisher, OK
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm ”
Psalm 20:7&8 NIV
Tara Condon. Madisonville, LA
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3, NIV
Melanie Groff, Katy, Tx, 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34 ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. – Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV)
Jeanine, Augusta, GA
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Romans 11:33-36 NIV
Crystal, formerly of Colorado Springs, now of Castle Pines, CO
Galations 6:8 ESV
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Rene’ Adee, Canyon, Texas
Psalms 138:3 (NKJ)
“In the day I cried out You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
Sallie Russ, Greenwood, SC
” And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:14 NASB
Erin, Littleton CO:
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NIV
Amanda Gozur, Albuquerque, NM
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
1 John 5:21 (NLT)
Sara Meredith
Morton IL
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches inglory by Jesus Christ.” Phil 4:19 NKJV
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Ingrid from Omemee, Ontario, Canada
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Sarah Jackson from Pasadena, TX
You know when I sit and when I rise
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:2 NIV
Michelle, Chesapeake, VA
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
you are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
Ps.119:114 esv
Brentwood, TN
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
Beth Crocker, Madison, WI “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spririt is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6 NIV
Susan, Lawrenceville GA
Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him,my Savior and my God. NIV
Psalm 27:8 NLT
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, LORD, I am coming”.
Lora Lovin Osburn
Morristown, TN
Amen Melana! Love you!!!
Still krunked up from LPL Greenville:
“Through You shall we push down our enemies; through Your name shall we tread them under who rise up against us.” Psalm 44:5 Amplified
Susan Atkinson, Arkadelphia, AR
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and truth.” 1 John 3:18 ESV
Colleen, Lyndonville, NY
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold onto you with My righteous right hand. Is 41:10
Kelly Sonderby. San Clemente, CA
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Denise Korsmo Amarillo, TX “He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.” Psalms 66:6 KJV
“I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
2 Samuel 6:22 NIV
Melissa Weseloh, St. Louis MO
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. – Job 1:20 (ESV)
Samantha Zumbro, Anchorage, AK
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
Lacey D.
Oakwood, OH
For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 NKJV
Lydia Thrift, Gadsden, Alabama
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”–Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Shelly, Eufaula, AL
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:14 KJV
Do not judge, or you will be judged. Matthew 7:1 NIV
Sharon Floyd, Spokane, Washington
“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ps. 100:5 KJV
Billie, Greenville, KY “…But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 ESVUK
Jami Carey, Fishers, IN
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.
Psalm 25:15 NIV
Nancy Bradshaw. Melbourne, Florida
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Timothy 6:6 NIV
Sandi Bentz, Anchorage, Alaska
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Ricole Rice, Minot ND
Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did – they’ll turn out delightful to live with.
Proverbs 29:17
The Message
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”
Philippians 4:6 NLT
2Cor. 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the
glory of the Lord, are being transformed from glory to
glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Gail-Tyler, TX
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20 NKJV
MB, Cypress, TX
The Lord delights I those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love.
Psalm 146:11 NIV
Melody, Jefferson Ga.
Ephesians 4:2 (MSG)
“…I want you to get out there & walk – better yet, Run! On the road God has called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere….”
Kathy, Albany, OR
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
Diane Jackson, Riverside, CA
“Do not quench the Spirit” 1 Thess 5:19 nasb