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!
Laura Willard, Cedar Park, TX
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2:11-12 (NIV)
“rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer” Romans 12:12 (NAS)
Marsha, Batesville, Ms
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
(@ Corinthians 5:7)
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
Proverbs 31:11 (NIV)
Kathryn from Katy,TX
James 1:1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2. Consider it pure joy ,my brothers and sisters,when you face trials of many kinds , 3. Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance .
Missy S, Charlotte, NC
Catching up on some verses I missed at the end of pregnancy – I gave birth to our first child on July 15 – this one is in honor of him:
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.” ~ Psalm 127:3
Verse #14 Colossians 4:2 NIV
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Verse #15 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Glad to be caught up again!
August 1, 2015
Joy Thompson, Fort Worth, TX
Psalm 143:8
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. ESV
Wanda Young
Osborn Missouri
You will keep on guiding me with Your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Psalm 73:24 (NLT)
Natalie-
Is 30-21
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”
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22
Bethany Sullivan in Converse, IN
Hebrews 6:11-12
” And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Debbie LeBlanc, Rockledge, Fl
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Bonnie O’Shields, Dacusville, SC
But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.
James 1:14 HCSB
Lynda Staton – Keo, AR #14
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
PROVERBS 18:24 NLT
Dori Wooldridge From Indiana
Psalm 37: 3-5
“Trust in The Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself on The Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to The Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:…”
Jen from Round Rock, TX
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Do not fret (worry) or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Phil 4:6 AMP
Dawn, Beavercreek, OH
“Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord, hear my urgent cry.”
Psalm 86:6 (NLT)
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Sheba Munroe
Saint Petersburg, FL
Philippines 4:4 ESV
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
for the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, it is he who will save us. Isaiah 33:22
Lynne, Jackson, Alabama
“I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalm 13:6 (KJV)
Romanos 12:12
Alégrense en la esperanza, muestren paciencia en el sufrimiento, perseveren en la oración.
Joelle Abilene, TX
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Cheryl Dulaney, Lafayette, LA
Romans 11:33 NLT
O, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!
You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29 NIV
Brianna from Jonesboro, AR
But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 HCSB
Donna Lange, Mobile, AL,
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:13 KJV
Donna Lange, Mobile, AL
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:14 KJV
Teresa Wilson. Starkville, MS.
Psalm91:8
Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 ASV
Ruth, Odin, IL
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
-Romans 8:23 (NIV84)
Jana Fields Wills Point, TX (making up for missing July 15 post)
Romans 9:10 KJV
“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
Philippians 2:3 (NKJ)
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but lowiness of mind let each esteem others better than himself
Anna Elkhart IN
DLynn Miracle;Argyle,TX
For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Psalm 25:11 ESV
James 5:16 NIV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another so you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Esther. Jonesborough TN. ESV. Joel 2:25a. (Melana this is also for you, sweet testimony): I will restore to you the years the the swarming locust has eaten.
Kelly Parker, Shreveport,La
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Heather Hoch Pflugerville, TX
Hebrews 4:13 (NASB)
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid before to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Crystal and Reese, Canton MI
Phil 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Carol
Carthage, NY
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever & ever!
Ephesians 3:21 NIV
Rhonda – Houston
My heart is confident in You, o God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing Your praises! Psalm 57:7 NLT
Lise Ode, Cumming, GA.
And you shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NAS)
Laura Hall
Kyle, Texas
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” Ephesians 2:1 (ESV)
Kathy French, Austin
” Look to The Lord and His strength; seek His face always. ” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Tammie Head, Houston, TX. “since I know that my tabernacle will soon be removed, because our Lord Jesus Christ revealed this to me.” 2 Peter 1:14, NET
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
(I may have already entered this verse. Vacation interferes with my recollection. So just in case . . .)
Psalm 63:1 ESV
O God, You are my God;
Earnestly I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh faints for You,
As in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 (NIV)