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!
Erin Hall, Magnolia, Texas, “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.” Romans 8:38-39
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
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.”
Abigail Dubbe, Red Lion PA, 1 John 3:19 (NIV), “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence”
Calgary, AB, Canada
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwelling.
Isaiah 58:12 (NIV)
“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT OUR EYES ARE ON YOU.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV
Laurie Watkins
Arlington Tx
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalms 147:3 KJV
Shelley Scott, Rio Rancho,NM
“Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” Proverbs 2:11 NIV
Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.”
~Proverbs 14:1
Kelly Stoneham – Sinking Spring, PA
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
James 4:10
Kelly, Merritt Island, FL:
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
Gale Fox
Montgomery TX
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will herself be watered.
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
Lynda S. from Brockville, Ontario, Canada
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NIV)
Matthew 6:34 ESV
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
martha loyd
houston, tx
Abingdon, VA
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NCV
“Always be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.”
Heather, Tallahassee For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 NASB
Judy, Littleton, NC
You God are awesome in the sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God.
Psalm 68:35 (NIV)
Hi Melana,
Glad to count you as one of my Siesta friends. I met you at the first SSMT meet-up at Papasitos in Houston a few years ago and enjoy your posts on Facebook regularly, too.
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling…” 1 Corinthians 2:3, NET
Michelle, Houston “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV
Cheryl in Fairhope, AL – “…I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing…” (II Samuel 24:24)
Renee, Kodak TN,
Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all it’s wicked deeds. Colossians 3:9 NLT
Colleen – Phoenix, AZ – Psalms 33:4 & 5 – HCSB
For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is trustworthy.
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love.
Amy Guth, Canton, MS
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
Francine Thacker. Burnet, Tx
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESVH
doris, Madison, MS:
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:34. (KJV)
Angela M., Tulsa area
James 1:12, NJKV
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Karen Penn, Sturgis, MI “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James 3:2 NIV
Brodie
Weatherford, Tx
1 Thes.5:16-18 (NLT)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Cindy Wilbur from Clifton, Va
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -NIV
“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT
Melody Williamson
Sevierville, TN
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
NIV
OOPS-Marge from Chili Wisconsin:)
Michelle V, Hewitt, TX
Before the creation of the world, he chose us through Christ to be holy and perfect in his presence.
Ephesians 1:4 GW
Paula from Maine
“But whoever listens to me will have security. She will be safe with no reason to be afraid.”
Proverbs 1:33 GNT
Romans 10:9 NKJV
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
may I add, AMEN!!!!
Diane White, Williamstown, WV
“As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
Ephesians 4:16, NLT
Shannon Davidson, San Juan Capistrano,CA “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight”
Philippians 1:9 NIV
Nancy A-Versailles, Ky
Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength -Neh 8:10 NIV
Nikki R., Alexandria, LA
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Costa Rica Mission’s team verse
Colossians 4:2-3
“Devote yourselves to prayer…that God may open a door…so that we may proclaim…Christ.”
Susan L. (central IL) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14, HCSB)
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
2Cor4:7 NIV
P.S. I love you dearly Melana… and I am so glad to be your friend! ((hugs))
Thank Melana, I was touched and blessed by your story.
Joy, Georgetown, TX “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2 NIV
G.Sue, KJV romans 9:15
I will have mercy on whom I have mercy
and I will have compassion on whom I have
compassion.
Mz Mama Moose, thank you much for your
testimony! my gal pal, and I met you in SA and had
our picture taken with Beth.. thanks for that
Moose trademark.. it reminds me of my late sister
for some reason..bc it was her favorite animal.
Pls say a prayer for Jordan, our son, 2 have hearts
desire this year, Lord willing thank you!
J Canon, New Braunfels, TX-
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
Carolyn Medlin Oceanside Ca. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us In the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 NIV
Melanie Miller, Armuchee, GA
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32 NKJV
“The life appeared; we have seen it an testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” 1 John 1:2 NIV
Lisa from WAdsworth, OH: 1Thess5:16-18 NLT “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you alone to Christ Jesus.”
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5 NAS