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!
“so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky”
Philippians 2:15 NIV
Karen from Powell, Ohio
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “If your law had not been my deligh, I would’ve perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92 NIV
Vanessa from Victoria, Texas
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.””
Daniel 2:22-23 NIV
Martha McElhaney Ooltewah, TN
1 Corinthians 16: 13-14HCSB
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. Your every action must be done with love.
betty jane pedigo
franklin ky
1John2:17NIV
“The world and its desires pass away,but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
Westerville, Ohio
Psalm 13: 5-6
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise,for he has been good to me.”
Laura, Katy TX
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.
Linda, Johnstown, Pa.
Romans 16:20 (NIV)
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
1 John 5:21 NLT
Sorry I’m late, we had company in town and I forgot. I shared my verse, we talked about Siesta and then I completely forgot to post!
Julie Wagner, Nederland, TX
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 NIV
Lorraine, Marysville, Washington
When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord Your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:2b, 3a
Jennifer, Chattanooga, TN
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 32:17 NIV
Tammy McKinney, 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
Sharon, Barrington
“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16 NIV
Martha from Corpus Christi
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Mary Wood, Fort Worth, TX
John 8:31-32 NLT
Jesus said to the people who believed in Him,”You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Leanette, Atlanta
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy….
Titus 3:4-5a NIV
Jenn, Marana, AZ
Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. ~Psalm 63:7-8
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
The mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7. NIV
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 12:12-14
Bonnie Webb Cibolo,Tx. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Let us approach Gods throne with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in times of need.
Anne-Marie, Munich – Germany
Mk 9.23 (NASB): “And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
Tears.
Debbie DeLeo from Seattle, Washington… “to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting (heaviness), so they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”… Isaiah 61:3 NASB
Erica Maynard Quincy, Illinois When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3 NIV)
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas
“If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Hell, behold, You are there”
Psalms 139:8 NKJV
Leah Kuor, Salem, OR
“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” Jer 32:17
..oops. Version is NASB
WheatRidge, Colorado
The Lord is my shepherd,I shall be not in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul
Psalm 23: 1-3 NIV
Katelyn Kraft, Columbus , OH
“The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves you, He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Melissa Teakell, Wichita, KS
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV84
“And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make!
Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names.” Psalm 16:3-4 MSG
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA
Psalm 71:3 ESV
Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Nitsa, Eugene, OR. “From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:2-3 ESV
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO “through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2 NASB
Shari Valdez, Long Beach, California
He only is my rock and salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:6 (NKJV)
Aubrey Groover. Houston,TX “My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.” Psalm 62:7 NIV
Karla K, Broomfield,CO
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:11 NIV
Keely from Hermann learned, ” Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Eph. 6:10
Mary Alice Dulweber
Dallas, TX
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift
of God, which is in you through the laying on of my
hands.
2 Timothy 1:6 NIV
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
Jessica, Shelby, NC. ” I am overwhelmed with joy in The Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10a NLT
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Warrensburg, MO
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. (Psalm 28:7 ESV)
Carol Crabtree from Farmers Branch, TX:
2 Thessalonians 3:13, NKJV
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
Beth Bellow, Houston. Romans 8:28-29 NIV
28. 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.”
Gail Lobenthal Bloomington, Indiana
Proverbs 16:25 ESV
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.