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!
Emily Tohlen, Kansas City, MO
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Leslie Young
Wisner, La.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,
I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Patrice, Midland, TX
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Ruth, Belleville, IL
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone and be silent since He has laid it on him. Let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope.” Lamentations 3:25-29 NASB
Laura Berg from Carlsbad, CA
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit -fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
John 15:16 NIV
Ezekiel 34:16a (AMP)
“I will seek that which was lost and bring back that which has strayed, and I will bandage the hurt and the crippled and will strengthen the weak and the sick,..”
Cindy, Lancaster OH
Psalm 119:89 (ESV)
“Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”
Vicki Graham, Corinth, TX
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. (Psalm 120:1 NIV)
Sarah ~ Appleton, WI
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
John 15:3-5
Psalm 13:3-4 “Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.” (NIV 84)
Greensboro, NC
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:3(NIV)
Teresa, Roanoke, VA – Psalm 103:22 – HCSB
Praise the LORD, all His works in all the places where He rules. My soul, praise the LORD.
Jules Lane
Foothills of the Rocky Mtns, CO
Continuing in Psalm 103…
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” ~ Psalm 103:13 (KJV)
N. Seattle, WA
Romans 5:9 (NAS) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
(Sorry I am so late. Was on vacation with two young couples and their 5 children – my husband and my grandchildren)
Lyn, Tulsa, Ok
“…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”
Titus 3:5 (NKJV)
Alison Sparre, Sacramento CA
Micah 7:7 (HCSB)
But I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
Carolyn,Maryville,Tn, Judge not,and ye shall not be judged:condemn not and ye shall not be condemned,forgive and ye shall be forgiven:
Carol M from Canton MI
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:21
Jerrie Reynolds – Longview, TX
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not either. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalms 1:2-3 (NIV)
Kim Peterson from Vista, CA
Galations 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Lori Bilbruck – Deer Park, WA
James 1:15 “Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.”
(HCSB)
Gail Hinshaw, Summerville, Oregon
Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:3 NKJV
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.
But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.
Mark 7:36 NIV
Debbie Gordon, Severna Park, MD
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Col 4:6 (ESV)
Jenny Schultz, Valrico FL:
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
Kara L.
Iowa
NIV Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Exodus 33:14
And he said,my presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Peggy Hale
Mauriceville, Texas
Continuing with Psalm 103:16
” the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40 ESV)
Kristina, Burkburnett, TX
not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
2 Thessalonians 3:9 NASB
Margie Rodriguez, San Angelo Texas
Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
Kathy Jackson, Memphis, TN
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 NLT
Donna Rose. Jayess, MS. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement. Show mercy to still others, but do so with caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Jude 22-23
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In All thine ways acknowledge Him and
He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In All thine ways acknowledge Him
and He shall direct thy paths.
Susan Canham, Bismarck ND
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
-Ephesians 4:29 NKJV
Sheila, Conroe, TX
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
“Therefore with joy will I draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3 KJV
Paula, Houston, Tx
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
(Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
Cynthia Moorhead Gainesville,Ga
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Heather Louisville,Ky
“And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay in helping them? I tell you he will quickly grant justice to them. ”
Luke 18:7-8 (NRSV)
Kathy Lamastra, Paulsboro, New Jersey
Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.”
Hosea 2:6 NIV
Heidi Cahill, DeLand, FL: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13, NIV
Jen Dakin, Kenton, OH “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.” 1 Samuel 17:48 NIV
Debbie, Forest City,NC
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
Exodus 14: 13-14 (NKJV)
Cedarville, OH “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 ESV
Valerie Finch, Warrensburg, MO
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13, NLT
Candis Oswalt South Bend IN
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5 KJV
Royse City, TX
7/15/15 NASB
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Melanie Beaudin, Winchester, Va
1 Samuel 2:3, NIV “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance,for the Lord is a God who knows,and by him deeds are weighed. “