Life is hard. Kindness, courage, and love will help you prosper.
Author: Melissa
Hello, my name is Melissa. I grew up as a pastor's kid and am now a pastor's wife. I'm married to Joseph Smith, who is the Pastor of Pine Air Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. We have three miracle children here on earth and two in heaven.
As of July 18, 2017, God graciously allowed me to survive being struck by lightning. Five years later on March 31, 2022, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer HER2+ and HER2-. Today, I can say, together with God's help, I am an OVERCOMER!
Because He lives and His mercies renew every morning, I can say I am a Lightning Survivor, Cancer Warrior, and Daughter of the King!
‘Tis the season for hunting in this household. My husband and children love to hunt. Processing the meat afterwards is a whole different story for another time, but we sure do enjoy the meat it provides.
There are so many different products out there that claim to be the best regarding masking your human scent to hide from the animal one might be hunting. They are just so expensive! Living frugally doesn’t afford us the money to buy all those products and some of them that my husband bought to try out did not even work! Below is a recipe I complied that I make for my family members that hunt.
Homemade Scent Killer
2 cups Peroxide
2 cups Water (purified is best)
¼ cup baking soda
2 oz non-scented soap
Mi x ingredients in gallon jug (glass is best). Let sit for several days. Pour into spray bottle and use as needed. *Also, good for removing blood from hands after field dressing your critter.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ” John 10:10
Our earthly view of abundant living is tainted. We generally tend to think that someone who has it all is living the “good life”. We sense that the good life is full of pleasure. While the opposite is suffering, trials, or difficult situations.
Jesus’ life on earth doesn’t fit that depiction. He had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). He was hated of men (Matthew 10:22). He suffered an agonizing death (Mark 15).
Yet Jesus came to give life. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life: (John 14:6). The life He gives is eternal, and is richer and fuller because of His abundant forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace.
Does your life mimic a spring of Living Water or is
it on the dry side? Be the difference that will draw others to Him.
6.52a- woke up feeling like I got beat up. Hands feel swollen and achy. Eyes blurry. Slight headache. Lower back aches. Feel sluggish – ne energy.
Joe suggested I take a B complex. It gave me some energy to go to store for few items. Had to rest a while once we got home. Took Plexus Slim. Gave me enough energy to put together teen manual for VBS.
7:57a – Fatbusting supplements: Forskolin, Garcinia Cambogia, Vitamin B12, L-Carnitine and Ginseng. (I have no clue why I noted this? Some of my notes make no sense to me. LOL!)
7.58a- Fell asleep quickly last night…not even taking my
meds. I hurt so bad after all the
walking I did (Lifeway, Dirt Cheap, Dollar Tree). Slept all night too (10:30-7:30)!
Woke up hurting all over. Hands swollen and throbbing. Calves ache. Slight headache and very congested.
5:45p- It took me 4 hours to balance the checkbook
today. I was about in tears because I
was off by $100+. I had to walk away for
a few minutes before I figured it out because my brain was hurting, my vision
was getting fuzzy, and the room started spinning!
After taking a couple hours break, I decided to work on my blog a little. Able to make another step in progress. Able to figure out to edit my homepage and insert a picture. I’ve had to take baby steps because even though it should be a simple process it becomes quite confusing to me…then I get frazzled which in turn intensifies my nerve pain and causes muscles spasms.
5.54p – been a rough few days.
Slept a lot yesterday. Stomach
has been naseous since breakfast. Ugh!
12:31p – Yeah! I finally have 4th Quarter & Yearly grades completed! Both students are on Honor Roll too! God has been good to us this year. Couldn’t made it without Him! #ThankyouLord
June 11, 2018
6.19p woke with headache, hands throbbing, stuffy nose, back
hurting. Muscles in lower back
twitching. Eyes watering.Congested.
Curcumin (Turmeric) – 2-4g daily
Magnesium – 400 – 1,000mg daily
Fish Oil – 2, 000 mg daily
R-lipoic Acid – 300 mg daily
Lemon Essential Oil – 10 – 20 drops in glass of
water daily
8.51a – woke up head still pounding.
Rough night. Joe said I was
crying at midnight because my head hurt so bad.
All I remember is holding his hand because the thunder & lightning
was scaring me.
Read an article about how a lot of migraine sufferers are magnesium
deficient. The best way to get is into
body is Epsom salt bath soak. Joe had
bath drawn with 2 cups Espom salt and I soaked for about 30 minutes. It took about an hour, but my migraine is
officially gone. PTL! I don’t feel
completely better, but I’m heading in right direction.
June 5, 2018
1.28p- Woke tired. Don’t feel
well like I’m coming down with something.
8.00p- fell asleep in living room.
Joe helped me to bed. Slept until
5.30am
June 6, 2018
6.30 Slept all night but woke up tired.
Legs ache. Congested and
stuffy. Rt ear aches. Head aches
lightly. Sharp periodic stabbing pain in
rt abdomen – as if I moved wrong. Hands
swollen and tingly. Low back hurts. Neck hurts.
Muscles in left leg twitching.
2.46p- Bp 157/107 hr 80 temp 98.8 weight 202
Dr confirmed severe sinus infection and rt ear infection. She said that is what probably initiated the
headache. Also, Tylenol Sinus can
aggravate and increase the high blood pressure.
Hence, reason Dr gave me Nasonex.
My blood pressure is still high (170/120) so they are putting me
on a second bp rx. This gal who loathes taking rx has just added three more to
her regimen. Ugh!
* I have to remind myself that one day “this too shall
pass.”
Antibiotic for sinus infection.
Steroid/Pain Rx shot for inflammation & headache. Rx for yeast infection if I get it bc of
antibiotics. Checked Bp again lft arm
160/110. Rt arm even higher. Dr
conferring with other Dr’s for plan of action due to Bp issues.
Pickles can be trigger for migraine due to salt content.
Clonidine (Bp rx) is ok to keep me out of ER. Zofran for nausceousness. D-A-S-H diet.
Trodadol.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:11
Webster’s dictionary defines joy as “the emotion evoked by
wellbeing, success, or good fortune by the prospect of possessing what one
desires.” That definition by the world’s standards leaves something lacking;
however, Theopedia defines joy as “a state of mind and an orientation of the
heart. It is a settled state of contentment,
confidence, and hope.”
The word Joy appears 155 times in the Bible. It appears 82 times in the Old Testament and 73 times in the New Testament. Joy is the keynote of Philippians “Joy in Prayer” (Philippians 1:3-11).
“Joy” and “Rejoice” are repeated multiple times throughout Scripture. Joy is not to be compared to happiness. Happiness is an emotion based on your circumstances. Just like holding your child for the first time or making a final payment on your car or moving into your first home – these things make you happy. As long as things are going well in your life, you are happy. As soon as circumstances are out of our control or things aren’t going just so, we become irritated and disgruntled and lose the emotion of being happy. Joy is being contented in whatsoever state you are in whether it’s good or bad (Philippians 4:11).
Man has an inexplicable desire to seek Joy in all they
do. We seek out happiness through all we
do. Some seek to climb the ladder of
success thinking that if they’ll obtain joy when they reach the top. Some look for joy in seeking out fame, but
they find no joy
“Joy isn’t a passing moment of happiness, but rather, an entrenched anchor that keeps our hearts from descending into the deep pit of bitterness, because thankfulness is what keeps us afloat.” True joy is found in having an ongoing relationship with God. It is knowing that our lives originate from the True Vine – Jesus Christ (John 15).
In the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to take time to reflect on the true reason of why we celebrate.
Luke 2:1-20 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Rough night. Very nauseous. Severely congested. Rt ear aches.
Trouble sleeping. Legs ache below
knees. Low back aches. Hands swollen and achy. Eyes watering. Mind racing.
June 2, 2018
Woke up with migraine! Hands
numb & tingly. Left ft tingly. Muscles in lft arm twitching.
5.52p Face really flushed.
Headache pounding. Eyes blood
shot & hurt. Stabbing pain in legs
below knees. Low grade fever. Somethings not right…don’t feel good.
9.29 Migraine is not letting up…eyes hurt & watering. If only I could cry.
10.08p taking 2nd dose of maxalt mlt for migraine. Hurts so bad my eyes are leaking.
June 3, 2018
8.30a- Woke with head still pounding.
Both arms numb and tingly. Eyes
sensitive to lights. Low back
aches. Left chin itchy. Toes tingly.
2.30p I’ve had a migraine since Thursday. It started mild with
nausceousness. It has increased with
periodic numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. My blood pressure is currently 173/106. Joe is taking me to ER. I’m hurting to tears and scared.
6.40p- Dr said CT scan report looks good. No tumors, aneurysms, or bleeding on the
brain. They gave me nauseous rx, pain
rx, & steroid. Not sure which one,
but one of them made me dizzy and super drowsy.
I fell asleep in intermediate ER room.
Bp came down to 154/93. Sent home
and gave rxs & told to follow-up with primary Dr. I’m back home in bed.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
Thankful that no matter how
broken and empty we may feel, God knows right where we’re at and loves us just
the same. He doesn’t throw the clay away. He patiently molds our lives over and
over in the likeness of Him. We can be vessels of honor as long as we are yield
to Him.
May 26, 2018
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
We need to relish and take
pleasure in God’s goodness. What an encouragement to know that we can cast ALL
our cares on Him. He not only has all the time in the world to listen, but also
He compassionately supplies our every need.
May 30, 2018
7:16p- A peep
into part of a day of a Lightning Survivor with TBI:
It took me two weeks to get the youngest child’s
4th quarter & yearly grades completed. I just finished tonight in time to
finish preparing dinner (meat was in crockpot).
One more to go. This brain is fried.
Thankful that the Lord’s mercies are new every
morning!
Woke up in extreme pain.
Difficulty sleeping through night.
Combination of storm and not getting enough rest this week – I
think. Joe told me to stay in bed. Took a pain pill and slept til 12:30pm.
May 21, 2018
6:46p- Tried a new
vegetable side for dinner – Roasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower & Broccoli.
Kids loved it told me that I could have it any time. ❤
Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thankful for the measureless, unconditional love of
Jesus! ❤
May 22,108
Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Thankful that no matter
what our circumstances we can rest secure and trust that God has everything
under control.
8:04p-I love ❤ when God answers a prayer that you haven’t told anyone else about.
What’s even better is He has it delivered to your front door! #Godisgoodtome
