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!
Winder, GA Colossians 3:14 NASV
“Beyond all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
Sue, Wolfeboro, NH
“”But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.” Nehemiah 9:16 ESV
Nelda Little, Magnolia, Texas , Again the word of the Lord Almighty came to me. Zechariah 8:18 NIV
Vickie Smith, Chesapeake, VA: “now raith is being sure of what we hope for, being convicted of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NET
2Cor5:7 ESV
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Jennie Spearin Granite Bay, CA
“But you should keep a clean mind in every situation. Do no be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the good news and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” 2 Timothy 4:5 NLT
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Ps. 37:5
NASB
Betsy Roberts – Antwerp, OH
“Be strong and courageous … for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Amy, Arlington, VA “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Alice Hinckley, Dallas, TX: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Annette – Reno, NV
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling of the Most High.
Psalm 46:4 NIV
Paige Storlie, Amarillo, TX
“The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
Cindy-Richmond,Tx. Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
Hannah Hancock from Winter Haven, FL
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
-1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)
Catherine Lisle, Albuquerque NM. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” 1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV.
Beverly, Lexington, KY 2 Peter3:9 NIV
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Shannon Quesenberry from Springfield,MO. I too was so encouraged and moved by your sharing! What a journey you have been on, but God’s grace is sufficient and your verse brought tears to my eyes too.
I am memorizing James 1:23-24 NLT “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Thank you so much for the beautiful post. I am Praying for you so very much, may God wrap his loving arms tightly around you with his peace and love and comfort! I hope to someday meet you and Mr Miesta Moose:)
Lisa from Huntsville TX
2 Timothy 2:4. “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Patty Lincoln, Columbia, SC: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Is. 65:17 NIV
Wendy Karabensh
Vero Beach
“To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Isaiah 40:25
NIV
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, Florida.
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
La Grande, Oregon
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Guide me by your truth and instruct me. You keep me safe, and I will always trust you.
Psalm 25:5 CEVU
Buffalo, NY formerly Norfolk VA
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20. NIV
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
Philippians 2:13
Psalm 34:14 NASB. “Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.”
Syneva Mullins, Topeka, Kansas
Amber Ball, Nicholasville, KY
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! Proverbs 31:25 AMP
(My humble prayer – that we would be ready.)
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinner – of whom I am the worst.
I Timothy 1:15b NIV
Rolanda Hairston Fort Worth
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NLT
Julia, Redmond, Oregon
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36 NIV
Rachael from Maine – furthermore it has been said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. 32 but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32 I am memorizing Matthew 5.
Dottie Morrow, Mansfield, TX
“…and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:4 NKJV
Callie, Nashville, TN: “looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Kathy Leamington Ontario Canada
“…work in me to will and to act
according to Your good purpose.”
Phil. 2:13
Amy Andrews, Bellaire, TX
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
1 John 5:15 (NKJV)
Natalie, Houston
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,”
Ephesians 1:17 ESV
Laury Pitts from San Clemente, CA:
“10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:10-12 NKJV
Downtown Tonya Brown from Watauga, Tx:
“You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” Psalm 118:28-29 NLT
Carolyn
Indianapolis, Indiana
Zechariah 2:10 HCSB
“Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad, for I am coming to dwell among you”–This is the Lord’s declaration.
Kim G., Colonial Heights, VA
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5, ESV
Andrea in Independence, KY
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”
Diana, Indianapolis, Philippians 2:13 NLT
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Chris, Seattle, WA
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 3:11 NIV
“We have fixed our HOPE on the living GOD, who is the savior.”
1 Timothy 4:10 ESV
Fairfield,Ca.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presences there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
WendyC – Cheyenne, WY.
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6 NLT
Kris Morrissey, Omaha, NE
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
Lori, Pueblo West CO: “Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious.” ~ James 4:8b-9 MSG