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!
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I always trust in God’s unfailing love. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.
Psalm 52:8-9 NLT
Tammy Decker, Mt Pleasant, SC
“So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 (AMP)
Jodi, Lubbock TX, For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
Cherie, Joseph, OR “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18, NIV)
Nicole Corey
Missoula MT
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
Job 23:10 ESV
Anne Roline Morristown, TN
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.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Sharon Gaudet, Rochester, NH: “Behold the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.”–Psalm 33:18,19(NASB)
Melani Shock, Alexandria, LA (KJV)
Psalm 91:3-4-“Sureley he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. 4-He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Amy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NASB
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130 ESV
Britt Felix, Tucson, AZ
Psalms 103:21-22 NASB
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.
bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Paula, OKC: Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:10 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Whitney Jarnagin from Russellville, TN
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18. ESV
Brenda Crosby, TX
Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future.
Psalm 16:5 HCSB
Tracy-Aurora, CO
Philippians 4:7=And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Tanya, from Lorton, VA
Psalm 121:3-4 (HCSB)
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, bur also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 NIV
Luda Kosenko
Baltimore, MD
He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly.
Proverbs 14:29 (AMP)
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger,
and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 (AMP)
A [self-confident] fool utters all his anger,
but a wise man holds it back and stills it.
Proverbs 29:11 (AMP)
Sherry – Raleigh, NC
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble, He cares for those who trust in him
Nahum 1:7 NIV
Claire in Boone, NC
This is the work that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent.
John 6:29 AMP
1Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all you anxiety on Him because
He cares for you.
Rachel huff mechanicsville va NIV Psalm 61:3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Erin Beil, Sneads Ferry, NC
Hosea 6:3 (NLT)
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
Cheryl, Harleysville, PA
Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness to thousands…-the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 32:17-19 NKJV
Mary Newberry – New Smyrna Beach, FL
Psalm 23:6 NKJV
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(So sorry for being late!) Kathy Wilson, Chandler, AZ
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
I Corinthians 12:9b
NIV
Catherine, Centreville, VA
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:6 (NIV)
Sherry from Independence, Oregon:
“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11 NKJV)
Nancy, Junction City, AR
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NKJ
Lisa Markley, Cary, NC: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
Rene’, Mineola, TX
“It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.”
Proverbs 10:22 (NASB)
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:25-26. NASB
Martha Blacklock
Lubbock, TX
Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
NASB
Andy Spray – Centreville, VA
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
O Lord God of hosts, who is might as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. Psalm 89:8-9 ESV
Jeri Jacobs, Hemet, CA
If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8 NIV
Cris Obrien , Virginia Beach VA
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.; I have come so that they may have life and have it more abundantly. NET
Kari
Charlottesville, VA
“But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Psalms 86:15 NLT
Jenni, Murray, KY
“Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:5 HCSB
Psalm 37:3-4 HCSB
Michelle Vardeman, Russellville, AR
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Kimberly Barrett, Camden, Arkansas
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 1 Peter 3:1 NIV
Tina, New Hope, MN
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5 NIV
Amanda Singleton, Drexel, NC
Isaiah 26:3English Standard Version (ESV)
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Liz from Hilliard, Ohio shares:
“I sought the Lord and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:45. NIV
Valerie Gordon, Columbus, GA
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 NIV
Danielle, Weymouth, MA
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
You will trample upon lions and cobras
You will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet
Psalm 91:13 NLT
Charlene Sarver, Cookeville, TN
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 (ESV)
Barb * St Cloud MN * Philippians 1:4 NIV * “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”