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!
Julie Lohr, Gahanna, OH
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. NASB
Devina Varela San Angelo TX “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” James 4:2
Redfield, AR
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV)
[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Khakki Bonner Nashville, TN
Job 22:21 ESV
Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.
phil 3:10 (amp) my determined purpose is to know Him.
Sabrina~Houston,TX
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:12 NIV
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2, NIV
Lisa S. in Montgomery, TX
Jeremiah 29:12 MSG
When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
Here I am, Lord, send me. Isaiah 6:8
Deb, Becker, MN
I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
Jenna Cooley, Fort Worth, Tx
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Melissa Emma, Scarborough, Maine: “Let your heart be completely devoted tot he Lord our God to walk in His statutes and keep His commands, as it is today.” 1 Kings 8:61 HCSB
Linda O’Neill, Elk Grove, CA
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalms 91:4 NLT)
Thanks, Melana, for your beautiful testimony!
Joshua 21:45 (NAS)
“Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”
Carolyn
Wheaton, IL
Diane, Hemet, CA
Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the LORD’S presence as I live here on earth!
Psalm 116:7-9 NLT
Becca Williams – Irvine, CA
Isaiah 61:1a NIV
“The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
(Memorizing the scripture segment from Isaiah 61:1-4)
LeEllen Phillips, Nashville, TN
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvatio; He is my fortress. I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:1-2
Deena, Colleyville, TX
John 1:5 NIV
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-2 ESV
Tami J. Fall City, WA
Phil 2:13 HCSB
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.”
Whitney Holder, Wimington, NC. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
Romans 8:18 NLT
Lori Boone, Renton WA
Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.For the Lord is a God of justice.Blessed are all who wait for him!
Kerry Babb, Houston, Texas
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
Diane, Longmont, CO
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Kim, Euless, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Allison, Austin
“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Jeremiah 31:33 NASB
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
James 4:10 ESV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Divine Gravity 🙂
Joan, Carter Lake IA
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 NIV)
Marlena Cantrell, Alabaster, AL
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ESV
Lynn Watson Hurst, Texas
Isaiah 61:3. NIV
And provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Suzanne Carlson – Ridgefield, WA
I will lift up my eyes to the hills
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV
Kara Collins from Hot Springs, AR
I’m continuing my passage from Colossians 3 and now on verse 24 but needing to include verse 23. God is in control, sees all and knows all. I’m so glad that I don’t have to keep up with any one else just me!!
23 -Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
24 -But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Stephanie Volkmer, tulsa ok.
God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. (Psalms 68:6 NASB)
Lynne Priestley, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Patricia McNeily, Miamsiburg, Ohio
Psalm 103:12, As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Shauna K., River Falls, WI.
Titus 2:7-8 (NIV): “In all things show yourself to be a good example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”
Plano, Tx “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NIV
Deborah Flora Sawyer, KS
Prepare your minds for actions, Keep sober in spirit. 1 Peter 1:13 NASB
Kristetta Miller, Pinveille, LA
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:18 NIV
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall” Isaiah 40:29-30 Dawn W. Lucy Attalla, AL
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 ESV
Debbie
Portland, OR
Dequincy, LA
In God I will praise His work, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalm 56:4 KJV
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
8 The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
10 The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Psalm 25:8-10 NLT
Corrie Crouch, Silsbee, Texas
Eph.3.18-19.niv may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Jami
Shelby, NC
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.
**Thank you Melana for sharing. It was a word from God for me.
Charlotte Wilson Stedman, Austintown, Ohio
“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” II Thessalonians 3:5
Susan Bostaph
Buffalo, NY
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you O Jacob, he who formed you O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:11 (ESV)
Jamie, Wichita, KS
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 NIV
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
(Learn in Hebrew)
שִׂמְחוּ בָּאָדוֹן בְּכָל עֵת; אֺמַר שׁוּב, שִׂמְחוּ