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!
Juley Metcalf, Spicewood, Texas
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
Psalm 91:1 (AMP)
Barbara Q, West Point,GA
1Peter 5:6 NIV. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Sheryl Rocky Mount,NC Proverbs 1:33 NET But the one who listens to me will live in security and will be at ease from dread of harm.
Mansfield, OH
“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.”
Song of Songs 4:9 NLT
…but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147:11
ESV
Candice from Wallingford, PA “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6
LaMoniqué J. Katy, TX “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.” Psalms 24:7 NKJV
Nancy Huebner, Spring Hill, TN
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” 1 Peter 4:19 NIV
Kathryn, Oceanside, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Liz Allen, Wooster, OH
“…and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him, in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Romans 8:17, ESV
Wendy Davis from Oriental, NC
Checking in late because we were on vacation where there was no internet or wifi!!! I have been learning this verse, though (even without wifi)
In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.
Ephesians 1:8b-9 NASB
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
NLT
Wendy Tunison Caldwell, Idaho
All Scripture is God Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training
in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Metamora, IL
1 John 3:18 NIV
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
LOVED this post and the way GOD has been so faithful to you. Reminds me of a new song by Casting Crowns that I heard on the radio for the first time today. It is about God holding us. Love and prayers to you ! Linda
Rachel Mitchell in Big Spring,TX
“may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Cristy – Monroe, Ohio Here are my July scriptures:
Do not quench the spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything, hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every evil. 1Thes 5: 19-20 ESV
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you “look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others. Phil 2:3-4 ESV
Leslie Westmoreland, Franklinton, LA
Verse 14: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassionate never fail! They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Verse 15: Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God will stand watch over yours hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One. Philippians 4:6-7 The Voice
Oh my goodness…this is the latest I’ve ever been!!
“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” (Proverbs 16:9 MSG)
Karen from Iowa. Jesus looked at then and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”. Matthew 19:26 NIV.
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.’
Paulette P. Mays
Elmer, La 71424
With all humility and gentleness,with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Ephesians4:2. NASB
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Debra S., Ocoee, FL
Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew 15:38 ESV
(1John5:14-15
When we pray according to God’s will He hears us and we know that we have what we asked of Him.
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Karen Collier from the Eastern Shore of Maryland
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Theresa Anderson, Grove, Oklahoma
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Matthew 7:8
Everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Windsor, CO 2 Timothy 1:7 ” For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of POWER, LOVE, and Self-Discipline.” Niv
Sylvia S.
Collinsville, IL
Psalms 130:5 (NASB)
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
Ketchikan, Alaska
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27 NASB
Rita Martin, Prague, OK
“I am the Lord your God who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10 NIV
Holly
Apex, NC
Psalms 51:6 (NIV) Surely you desire truth in the inner parts, you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Mildred from Montserrat.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:11-12(KJV)
Ottawa ON Canada
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.” NIV
Tera Ferguson
Gardendale
Psalm 119:15 NIV
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
Sandra Kent, Gwinn MI
1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Lisa, West Columbia, Texas
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD,”I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
Psalm 91:14 (NIV)
Jena
Ruston, LA
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 NIV
Sharon Toth, Lincoln Park, Mi.
They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. psalm 112: 7-8 NLT
flexing my faith muscles!
Judy – Cottageville, WV
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” KJV
Sarah Miller, Melbourne, FL
“However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—”
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
Christina D., Decatur, TX –
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8 NIV
Stephanie Hamburg Ar. Ephesians 4:23 NLT Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Diane Morgan, Mesa, Arizona
that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:5 NASB
Renee Hall, Jacksonville, FL
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV
Christy mcCreight, Wylie Tx
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great clouds of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrew 12:1 NIV
Magie Wolfe Alamosa,Colorado
My help comes from the Lord,
The maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:2 NIV
Tomi, Des Moines, Iowa. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NIV