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!
Chelsea McNary, Lima, Ohio
Psalm 50:2 (ESV)
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another: be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 NIV
Vicksburg, MS
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11
NIV
Melissa Rausch Blue Springs, MO
Remember Your word to your servant; You have given me hope through it.
Psalm 119:49 HCSB
Lacy, Eugene, OR
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his site, without blemish and free from accusation– Colossians 1:22 NIV
Lea Ann in Hales Corners WI
II Chron 16:9~ “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Oh how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
Romans 11:33 NLT
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32 NLT
Erin D. Conway, AR
” ‘And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ ”
Zechariah 2:5 (NIV)
Lori Haller , Easton MD. “Luke 10:42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” (HCSB)
Valarie, Pocatello, Idaho
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
John 6:35 NASB
marla, Cordova TN
Lamentations 3:22-23(NIV) ” Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. “
Arlington TX
Matthew 14:31 NIV
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 1:9 NIV
Rebecca-Eagle Point, OR
Numbers 15:39-40 HCSB.
“These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the Lords commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart and your own eyes. This way you will remember and obey all my commands and be holy to your God.”
Joyce
New Jersey
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’
2 Corinthians 4:8 (NIV)
Richmond, VA
Consider him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that
you will not grow weary
and lose heart.
Hebrews12:3 NIV
Kathy from Chandler, OK “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:9 ESV
Deena, Grants Pass, Oregon
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 ESV
Claudia from Edmond, OK
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to You for refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from You.”
Psalms 16:1-2, NLT
Because I missed last time, I’ll do two verses this time.
For I am CONVINCED that neither death nor life, neither angles 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
Jennifer Watson, Ruston, LA
1 John 2:17 (NASB) The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
Kelly B. Spokane, Washington When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgement. John 16:8 NIV
Heather – Fort Worth, TX
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”
Psalm 51:1-2 ESV
Michelle, North Little Rock, AR
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Karin
Medina, MN
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 NIV
“Man is born for trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7
Mande Brightwell Longview Tx “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
stephanie Hilton, League City, TX
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle Are they not in Your book?
Psalm 56:8 NAS
Terri Tripp from Winchester, VA
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Ally, Houston, TX.
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Luke 14:27 HCSB
Debbie Levin
Cannon Falls MN
“So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” James 1:21 NLT
Phil. 2:13. NIV
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purposes.”
Emily Lawyer
Arlington, VA
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
Barbara Dunton
Midland,Texas
Psalm 103:19 (ESV)
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over all.
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1 GNT
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1. NIV
Christina
Louisville, KY
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:19-20 NIV
Lisa from Houston, TX
Ephesians 2:5 (NAB)
“he brought us to life with Christ Jesus when we were dead in sin. By this favor, you were saved.”
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Pamela Guins, Taylorsville, NC
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
Stacy Mc…Southaven, MS
Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.
Jer. 33:3 MEV
Jackie C…Southaven, MS
And we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:16 NIV
Dana from Ashland, KY
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed,
Psalm 2:1-2a ESV
I am from Tempe, AZ
1 John 1:7-8. But if we walk in the light , as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. NIV
Nancy Sticht, St. Augustine, FL
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
In strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. Psalm 18:29 NLV
Dione H., Moore, OK – Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 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.