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!
Jill Smith, Eugene, OR
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Is. 40:31
Katy, TX, Ephesians 6:13, NLT
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Dacia Edmonson, Bullard, Texas
Hosea 10:12 NIV
Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Gayla
Cedartown, GA
James 5:13b NIV
“Is anyone happy?
Let him sing songs of praise”!!!!
(Birth of 3rd ‘Grandlove’!)
I have entered all 14 verses now…started at 2:05pm today!!! I have just figured out what SSMT is about. Thankful to be a member and gotta get really busy catching up!!!! Hello fellow sojourners! I’m excited!!!!
Bravo! Welcome aboard. Though 14 verses is quite an undertaking it is a worthy one. I’m excited for you.
Blessings
Thank you Lora!!
Barb, Lakeland, FL Matthew 16:24 NIV
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Barb, Lakeland , FL Matthew 16:24 ESV
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Please delete my first post. It was an error. Thank you!
Christina Drown Fort Worth, TX
Psalms 118:28-29 NIV
You are my God and I will praise you. You are my God and I will exalt you. 19.Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Rita Koch, Upland, IN
Romans 6:14 (HCSB)
For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.
Romanos 6:14 (RVC)
El pecado ya no tendrá poder sobre ustedes, pues ya no están bajo la ley sino bajo la gracia.
Rita how awesome to put the in Spanish. I do not speak Spanish but it is great to see it. It will encourage someone else I am sure.
Apryl
Diana Robbins, Cincinnati,Ohio. I keep the LORD in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 HCSB
Barb, Lakeland , FL Matthew 16:24 ESV
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 ESV
Fran Scott, Stafford TX Matthew 28:20 KJV
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jennie, Denham Springs, LA
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
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 AMP
Kandis Nucla, CO
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodous 14:14 NIV
Tensie Palmer, Los Angeles, CA
Romans 12:12 ESV
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.
Sara Wheeler, Alexandria, AL
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.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Alycia Johnson Granada, MN. This is one of the bible verses my 3 kids and I have studied together for VBS this week. Very special to hear your dear children speak the word of God Almighty!! I pray they will declare this for their entire life! How great are you Lord!
Psalm 31:14 But I trust in you, O Lord, I say ” you are my God”. NIV
Michele, Columbiana, AL
“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”
Psalm 63:1 NKJV
thank you for sharing this moose mama. i needed to read this tonight! <3 xo
Jaclyn, Houston. “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
“Let us know; let us press on to know The Lord; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3. ESV
Diana, Howe TX
My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ. -Phil 4:19 NIV
Penny Ritter Vian, OK
Ps.1.1-2.KJV Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Already posted my verses, but it just didn’t seem right not to respond to Melana’s testimony. Thank you for your honesty and transparency, Melana. you are a light that the darkness hasn’t put out, nor will it. I’m memorizing Romans 8, so your verses were especially meaningful to me. God bless you, sister. 🙂
Kim Kobayashi
Monroe, WA
Psalm 18:31 ESV
For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?-
Jen B (Santa Maria, CA) Psalm 92:2 (NASB) To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night,
Gwen Parish, Earth TX
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (HCSB)
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
Luke 1:45 NIV
Holly Cox, Greenwood, SC
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 (HCSB)
Kathy
Albuquerque, NM
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV88
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.
Falisha M. Boland – Fruitland,NM
Psalms 138:8
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” NIV
Lisa Jensen, Lyman, WY
Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Salem, VA
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
! Cor2:12 ESV
Stephanie Reynolds, Austin, TX, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” Luke 1:45 NIV
Amber Anderson
Winnipeg, manitoba, Canada
Romans 12:12 ESV
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.
Sherree Hunsberger
Lilburn, GA
Isaiah 5:20 ESV
“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!”
Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Kathi, Phoeniz,AZ
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1John 3:16
Laura, Greenbrier, AR “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
Kabrina Ethingth, Chandler,AZ. “He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.”
Psalms 40:2 NASB
Ellen, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
zoals de bergen Jeruzalem omringen, zo omringt de Heer zijn volk van nu tot in eeuwigheid.
psalm 125:2 NBV
Kaitlin
Newberg, OR
14May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NLT
kathy white, Modesto Ca
” But you, take courage !! Do not let your hands
be weak, for your work shall be rewarded”
2 Chron 15:7
Brooke Gage, Highlands Ranch CO
Psalm 86:11 (NIV). Teach me Your way O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.
Alyssa Ethington, Chandler,AZ “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8 NIV
Lesley
Steamboat Springs,CO
Psalm 84:6
As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
Valerie Mathura, Newnan, Georgia
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, (Eph 3:20 NIV)
Layne Hall, Columbus MS: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, He said, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)
Shantha, Lincoln, RI
Valerie Chamberlain, Austin, Texas. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 ESV