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!
Jodi, Perth, Western Australia
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:9 NLT
Jennifer R. Houston, TX “Teach me your way Lord that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” Psalms 86:11 (NIV)
Tiffany Boles
Wheeling WV
Philippians 4:19 ESV
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Kristen, Paramount, CA
“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.”
Hebrews 12:1 CEV
Pasadena, TX
♥Psalms 25;16-18 RSV
Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
Kathi Crowder from Yorktown, Virginia: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green, it has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Julie Holloway – Lafayette LA
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
Pat Wagar, Hayward, WI 7-16-15
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLT
Karen Redmond, Saint Petersburg, Florida
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. -Psalm 103:11, NLT
Jenn Loewen
Salem, OR
Matthew 6:34 The Message
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
Claudia, Franklin, TN. “”Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:24 NIV
II Timothy 3:17 (NIV) ~ “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Ginger K. ~ Shelby Twp., MI
Lori Long, Oil City, PA
“As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!”
2 Peter 1:3
and with your feet fitted with readiness, that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith. with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:15-16
Lisa, from Huntsville, AL, finishing up Ps. 121:
The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life. The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore Ps. 121:7-8 NIV84
Long Island, NY.
“We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan. And if we have no doubt that He hears our voices, we can be assured that He moves in response to our call.”
1 John 5:14-15(Voice)
Lisa H, Round Rock, Texas
We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.
Proverbs 16:1(NLT)
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. proverbs 19:21
Melissa Robertson, Sulphur, LA
“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”
Ephesians 4:18 (NIV)
Izora Browning. Midland,Texas. July16 2015
Psalm 46 :11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob I is our fortress.NIV.
Connie Rose, Moss Bluff, LA
“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”
Ephesians 4:18 (NIV)
Joan Wetzel, New Orleans, LA, Matthew 22:3 (NASB)
“‘And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited
To the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come’.”
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
Linda Wright, Sugar Land, TX – “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, just as we told you…” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Tracey Boynton, Kingsburg CA
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
Charlotte Hrdlicka, Claremore, OK-
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:3-4
NIV
Stacy, Deltona, Florida
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14
Janice MacNealy, Bethesda, OH
One of my favorites….
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:26
Angela Wagner, Pgh PA
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 1:2-3, ESV
Holly Barrett, Crossnore NC
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
Matthew 4:4 NIV
Julie B, Chesterland, OH
“Be strong in The Lord and in the strength of His might.”
Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)
Denise, Winfield, MO
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
“Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.”
Psalm 5:8 NIV
Bethany, Oklahoma. ‘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
Patti, Tampa, Florida
For the Bread of God is the One Who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
John 6:33 (HCSB)
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10 NIV
Fort Wayne, IN
Revelation 4:11 (ESV)
Worthy are You, Our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created all things,
and by Your will, they existed and were created.
“We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan. And if we have no doubt that He hears our voices, we can be assured that He moves in response to our call.”
1 John 5:14-15
J Wakeham
Cypress, Tx
But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
It is you, O LORD my God, who will answer.
Psalm 38:15 ESV
Cynthia, Missouri
As a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Eph 1:10. ESV
Adria A. Jackson TN
Every word of God is flawless;He is a sheild to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)
Patience Nason, Citrus Heights, CA
“And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”
Rom. 8:27 NLT
Linda, Bartelso, IL. They shall be my people, and I will be their God; Jeremiah 32:38 NKJV
Stacey Benoit, Denham Springs, LA
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
Terri, Orange TX
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NASB
Gwyn Cummings, Rowlett, TX
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Psalm 51:12
Debra Morel, Houston, Texas
#12 (for June 15) – … nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6b (NIV)
#13 (for July 1) – “And he prayed again and the heaven gave rain.” James 5:18 (NIV)
#14 (for July 15) – “so that your faith may not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:5 (NIV)
Dana
Clarksville, TN
Psalm 118:24-26 NIV
“The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.”
Melana, thrilled to meet you! Thanks for sharing your story! I struggle with my weight and have prayed for healing. I so identify in losing and gaining. Let’s trust God to guide us together one day at a time. I’ve seen the moose pics before, and love the fun of it all! Blessings to you, sweet siesta!
I love getting to know other siestas!
Janice- Sharpsburg, GA
The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days. (Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV)
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. NIV
Robyn Wong Roswell Ga