FAITH FOR OUR SONS

A TRIBUTE TO THE SONS WE'VE LOST +

A SINGLE MOM'S JOURNEY OF LOSS & FAITH

Around 7:30 on the morning of the 19th, Nicola was awakened by what she thought was the sound of her doorbell She dismissed the notion and went about her Sunday activities including going to church After leaving church, a family member inquired about the whereabouts of AJ and if Nicola had spoken to him that day. She said she hadn’t but continued to try reaching him by phone throughout the day Once Nicola returned home, she received a call from her brother, an Asheville police officer, who insisted on coming to her home to visit She had watched a news report earlier in the day which stated that someone had recently been killed on a major highway in North Carolina About 15-20 minutes later, her brother arrives at her home with additional officers in tow. It was at that moment that Nicola feared the worst about her son as she screamed the words “NO!” Nicola later learns that her son led police officers on a chase through various neighborhoods before the officers shot and killed her son

Nicola’s life had been turned upside down by the passing of her oldest son, however, she knew that she had to press through in order to continue to provide for her three younger children.A year after AJ passing, Nicola made the choice to relocate from their hometown in North Carolina to Atlanta, GA. Battling with depression and thoughts of suicide, Nicola had no choice but to turn to God to continue to be there for her children

After getting settled in Atlanta, Nicola was invited to a church, The Faith Center, by a neighbor She says that it was being in a true faith environment that taught you how to invite God into every area of your life that reignited her faith in God As a mother who lost a son tragically, Nicola adamantly states that it was because of her faith in God - the one who has the final say so - that gave her the strength to raise three healthy, successful children.

As she’s approaching the 10-year anniversary of her son ’ s passing, her words of encouragement to other single moms who live in fear of this harrowing reality: His word tells us that He did not give us the spirit of fear, but He gave us the spirit of love and a sound mind. Our faith can’t be rooted in the temporary things of this world, they can only be anchored in the promises that God has given us.