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!
Deneen
Sterlington, Louisiana
Proverbs 23:18 (ESV)
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Amee from Hercules, CA
“”And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11 NASB
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV
Sarah, Houston, TX
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NIV
Lori Anthony, Pine River MN
“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. ” Psalm 16:8 NASB
Jackie Brantley Rockledge, FL
“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.”
Psalms 46:1 HCSB
Angi, Pelham, LA
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under neath the earth” Exodus 20:4 KJV
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galations 5:17 NIV
Angie Brown, Taylor’s,SC
FOR GOD GAVE US A SPIRIT NOT OF Timidity BUT a SPIRIT OF POWER, OF LOVE AND OF SELF-DISIPLINE.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Rose K.- Oneida,TN –
“When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receivath knowledge.” Proverbs 21:11 (KJV)
Kandy Hall, Huffman, TX
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Brenda Wilken ~ Eureka, MO
We have this HOPE as a anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19 NIV
Aleah, Vacaville, CA So late, but yay for all of 1 Peter 1!
“but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:25 ESV
Rachel G., Raymond, MS
Psalm 19:1–“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
(NIV)
Grand Saline TX
1 Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
James 5:16 NLT
Psalm 34:4-5 ESV. “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 in shame.”
Pam, Campbellsburg In…Colossians1;12 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light… NKJV NSFL
Ann, SC
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts O God! How vast is the sum of them. Ps 139:16-17 NIV
He is good; His love to Israel endures forever. And all the people gave a great about of praise to the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
Ezra 3:11 NIV
Cathy in Orofino, ID
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Phil 2:13 NIV
Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you,but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning:the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
1John 2:7-8
MaryK, Omaha, Ne. (Hope it’s ok to post late!) ““Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
Psalm 37:7a NIV
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that nor 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!
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5.
NIV
Sherry from Momence, IL
Susan Thomson, Crockett, TX
“YOUR statutes are my heritage forever;
THEY are the joy of my heart.”
Psalm 119:111 NIC
Abby Smith in Troy, OH
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Isreal: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not.
~ Isaiah 30:15 (AMP)
Tammy from White House, TN
And may the Lord our God show us his
approval and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!
Psalm 90:17 NLT
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Psalm 121:3 (Amp)
He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber.
[Praise You, oh Lord Jesus !]
Sandee Tseng, Santa Monica CA
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” -Psalm 5:11
Patti, Clemmons, NC
1 Thessalonians 5:10 “Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” KJV
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God.
For I the Lord love justice. I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. Isaiah 61:8
Nicole – Wideman, AR
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time
1 Peter 5:6 NKJV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
Nicole//Dallas// Isaiah 26:3 New Living Translation
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV
Moreen, Sydney Australia
I will climb my watchtower and wait to see what the LORD will tell me to say and what answer He will give to my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1 TEV
Westland , MI. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 NIV
Missie Ables, Marble Falls, TX
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV
Hebrews 5:2New International Version (NIV)
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
liz gladstone or
Candice from Houston, Texas – ” He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besidde quiet waters,” Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
Cara, Oswego, IL. Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5
Beth Aldrich, Cary, NC
Act 4:29 (NIV)
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Mary, Winter Park, FL
Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out.
Rom 11:33 NIV
Jana, Quitaque, TX
James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Pamela, Mechanicsville, VA.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11 NIV.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Lisa Jones, St. Louis, Mo.
” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28