Cody Johnson’s song is one that hits home. You can do things with your loved ones as long as they are here, but one day you may not have that chance. I think about all the memories I have with my Gran and Ma, Grampsy, and my aunt Brenda and of course Nolan. No one wants to think about a day we don’t have the people we love in our lives, but this is all of our realities.

Last week, on Sunday, Pastor Bill spoke about how many times the word thanks is found in Scripture, so decided to look it up. I found thanksgiving was mentioned 72 times, gratitude 157 times, and “fear not” 365 times. Interesting how “fear not” appears the exact amount of times for us to read one a week for a year. It seems God knows just what we need.

This week, I am going to choose to be thankful. Thankful for people who I miss, but who were so meaningful in my life. Thankful for a church that reaches out to the community and makes a difference. Thankful for friends that have organizations that make an impact in our community.

There is something I learned when interning for my undergraduate degree. I learned you can’t fix every problem or issues, but you can make a difference. One step, one day a a time. Little steps can lead to a big change.

I have a dream and I am gonna chase it and I hope you will too. I want to give my all to changing the lives of others. Listening to their hearts and pouring back into their lives.

Whatever dream God has placed on your heart, take it and run! He didn’t put that seed in your heart without the ability to see it to fruition. You can make a difference…you can see ways to be thankful no matter the circumstances…you can do like the words of Cody Johnson’s song and have a dream and chase it…

Thanksgiving begins with family and friends we love and who have impacted our lives. I will always remember the times my Ma cooked a thanksgiving feast and my Gran spend hours cleaning up the kitchen afterwards. The days my Grampsy took us with him fishing and taught us so many things. The times Aunt Brenda was smiling and glowing to see all of her family enjoying a thanksgiving and Christmas feast her mama was preparing. And the days Nolan spent making us laugh and smile, and for the love we all have in our hearts.

Like Cody Johnson says in his song, “if you’re gonna love somebody hold them as long and as strong and as close as you can until you can’t”… You”ll never know how bad you wanna until you can’t someday. Don’t wait on tomorrow, cause tomorrow may not show, say your sorry’s, your “I love you” cause you never know….

One day, those precious souls in your life could be gone. Yes, they are with Jesus, but not with you. Sometimes life seems hard, but we have to learn to be thankful. No matter the circumstances, the Lord has blessed us with another day and another year to be with the ones we love. And the ones who have gone before us, no matter how hard, it was part of His plan. We may not understand it now, but one day it will all make sense. I hope until that day we all keeping looking to Jesus and asking Him to guide us along the way.

It’s a love without end, Amen. (Songwriter, Aaron Barker, Artist George Strait). If there is anything you knew about Nolan, it was his Dad, Tommy loved him some kind of good and was super proud of him!

I think about the time Nolan went and spoke at Mount Olive First PH men’s group. Tommy said Nolan did such a great job and he was so proud of him. Tommy was proud of Nolan getting on the Sheriff’s Department and then completing the Highway Patrol training academy and beginning to work with the Patrol. Tommy knew Nolan was following his dream and his calling of being a public servant.

We really knew how much Tommy loved Nolan because for some reason we don’t understand, Nolan loved to try out the things he learned on the you tube chiropractor videos he watched, and Tommy was the only one of us who would let him actually practice. Lol!! The rest of us wouldn’t let him pop more than one of our fingers, but Tommy would go all in and get down in the floor and let him pop his back! Now that’s true love! 😂

It’s good to remember all the funny things Nolan did. It keeps our hearts happy! Whether him and Tommy were getting lunch together, fishing, or the many other things they did together, you can bet they were having a great time!

Tommy will be the first to tell anyone that his greatest accomplishment are his children. When a man takes time with his children, it shows. It shows in the life of Kelsea and it showed in Nolan’s life as well.

I know, I can say with certainty, that Tommy clings to the verses in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 that says, Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This week, take time to remember every Dad who has had to say goodbye. Think of Nolan and how he lived, and the legacy of love he left behind. “And now these three remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest is love.”

“If you’re gonna love somebody, hold them as long, and as strong and as close as you can, until you can’t…” (Cody Johnson).

I don’t get to write a lot anymore, unless it’s a paper for school. I have recently had to privilege to work with Grief Share at church and it has been as good for me, as it has for my group. When I hear that song until you can’t, I think about something we say in our group all the time. We talk about how we were so fortunate to have our loved ones, and even though the pain is awful, we wouldn’t trade the time we had with them.

I found something the other day that says the best thing about grief I have ever heard and I read it to my group. It said, “God’s response to Lazarus death was not, ‘He is in a better place’ and it wasn’t ‘don’t worry, you will see them again’.” His response was to weep. That’s it. Jesus wept. A Christlike response to someone’s grief is grieve with them. No platitudes or stoic strength. Just weep.” (Not sure who wrote this)

In the group we talk a lot about how people don’t know what to say when they know you are in pain, and especially if you are crying. In my counseling theories class, we are learning about how important it is to let people just simply cry sometimes. There is no need for fancy words, just be there for that person. I am thankful for every person who just sat and grieved with mine and Nolan’s family.

Today, Nolan is celebrating his 31st birthday in Heaven. Alexis said it best earlier in a post about his birthday being today. She said let’s remember him on this day and remember to try to live a little like he did. Nolan laughed, loved and he danced and cut up like no one else! Let’s all remember to live a little everyday like that light hearted, sweet soul did! Sometimes you gotta dance like nobody’s watching!

Let’s all remember that when someone is hurting there are no fancy words needed! Just simply hold their hand, cry with them. Remember Jesus wept too. He knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead and he still wept!

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Side note: I am still planning to do a memory week leading up to Nolan’s 3rd year in Heaven! But if you have a memory you feel like sharing today, please do! Always remember that talking about someone loved one who has gone on doesn’t make them sad, it makes them happy. Hearing stories of Nolan makes us smile!

Only in America could a man pray over a high school game, and cause the money of the American people to be spent on a frivolous law suit. The hard earned money of the American people. This case went all the way to the Supreme Court! Don’t we have better things to argue over than a man who is praying!

Joe Kennedy only wanted to pray before his teams high school game. He did not want to ask anyone who was not comfortable praying to join him, he only wanted to pray for the health and safety of his team.

A simple questions looms in light of this court case. Do we have the funds to go after a man who only wants to pray before his team goes on the field? I will go out on a limb and say we don’t have the funds to take this case to the heights it has gone to. As we say in the south, we have bigger fish to fry!

This man did not make anyone pray with him. He only asked if anyone else wanted to join him, they were welcome. If not, he understood.

In a world where people cannot afford to put food on the table and gas in their vehicles, is this the route we want to take? I, myself am glad Coach Joe won this court case, but he never intended to push his beliefs on anyone. He was just praying to the God he serves.

I think we can all learn a lesson here. This man stood up for what was right. He didn’t care if everyone else agreed. This man simply wanted to pray for his teammates. He prayed for 8 years before anyone noticed. They only noticed when it was convenient to them.

I think that’s the issue. What everyone thinks is convenient or okay, is not really convenient and okay. If someone wants to pray, let them pray. He wasn’t hurting anyone.

He said he is not an extremely religious person, he only wanted to pray for the safety of his players. I don’t know anyone who has a problem with that, yet this man’s case went all the way to the Supreme Court.

In a world of drama, I think this drama was unnecessary. The man meant no harm. He wanted to ask the Lord for protection over his players. I don’t know a lot about football, but I have seen some games that needed praying over! I bet you have too!

Dear Lord, help us in these last days to stand up and fight for what is right. Bless this coach and his family. Help them to feel your comfort and strength! We love you! In your name, Amen!

Saturday afternoon, an 80 to 1 upset took place at Church Hill Downs, the home of the Kentucky derby. Owners of the winning horse, Rich Strike, did not receive word the horse would even be able to race until 30 seconds before the deadline.

In an interview, the owners told how they knew their horse, Rich Strike, had it in him to win, but because he always started out slowly, no one thought he could do it. The trainers, owners, and horse jockey came up with a strategy to help their horse have the best possible chance at winning.

Due to the fact, Rich Strike, starts the race out at a slower pace, the jockey put him running at a steady pace with lots of other horses around him, so he could get a good momentum going. Once the end of the race was approaching, the jockey guided him and encouraged him on to pass the horses in the lead, by taking the inside lane and quickest path to the finish line.

Hearing this story, made me think of how all of us at times, feel like we are running behind in life. We struggle to catch up on everything in life that seems to run right by us. But just like the horse, Rich Strike, we can catch up and run to the finish line. We have an awesome God, who is always willing to guide us to victory.

At times, we may feel like God is slow. Our patience feels non-existent, waiting for God to move in certain situations in our life. We learn from God’s Word, that even though God seems to be moving slower than we would like, this is a good thing.

Exodus 34:6b says, “the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (NIV). I know I am thankful that God is slow to anger, especially when I am doing dumb, sinful things.

We know God is never slow in keeping His promises. He is always right by our side. He leads and guides us. He never leaves us, even when we go astray. Just like the horse listened to his Jockey and won the race, we can listen to Christ and win our race.

God has a purpose and a plan for all of our lives. Just like a horse winning, despite 80 to 1 odds, we can win too. Every day may not feel like a victory, but it can be a step closer to fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.

Side Note: if you have not watched the aerial video of the Kentucky derby, and how Rich Strike came from behind to win, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s a great comeback!!

from West Virginia down to Tennessee, I’ll be moving with a good Lord’s speed, carrying your love w me. It’s my strength for holding on, every minute that I have to be gone, I’ll have everything I’ll ever need, carrying your love with me.”

The first night my husband, Billy and I met Nolan, him and Billy immediately bonded when they discovered they both have older sisters. Nolan asked Billy if his sister bossed him around like his did, and Billy said of course and they started comparing sister stories.

Nolan and Billy have awesome sisters, but saying how great they are don’t get you pity. Lol! You have to tell the worst things they have done to you to get some good sympathy going.

When Nolan’s sister, Kelsea moved to Tennessee a few years ago, she definitely carried a lot of love with her. Nolan and Alexis used to move so quickly to go see them, that both of them have been pulled for speeding on those trips to Tennessee! Alexis didn’t make it past Johnston county before she got pulled one time.

Needless to say, they were ready to see Kelsea, John and their sweet babies! Nolan was the best at telling a Kelsea story. He would make sure he told you how she locked him and the babysitter out of the house on a hot day. Of course, every time that story was told, the temperature got hotter and they got locked out of the house longer!

Kelsea was the best big sister, despite Nolan’s stories about her. He loved her dearly and she loved him right back. Nothing like a sister’s love! Kelsea took good care of Nolan and she misses him beyond words!

If you are blessed to have a good sister, make sure you thank the good Lord everyday. I know Nolan was thankful to have one of the best!

make a little note, to remind you incase you didn’t know, tell yourself I love you and I don’t want you to go. Baby, write this down…

When I think about writing, I always think about Nolan telling me what great papers he wrote in college. I was talking to his mom one day and I said well Nolan says he writes good papers. She said well I have never read any of his papers so he must be a self-proclaimed, great writer. Lol!

I think about all the funny things, Nolan would say concerning his mom, Angie. He told me you can take your clothes into her laundry room and they magically get clean! I said wow, is that so? Lol! I said well that sure is nice.

Bottom line, with Angie, Nolan had it made! He was her baby. They had the special bond of mother and son. I have never had a son of my own, but Nolan sure was good to me, and I am thankful for every year I had with him. He made me understand how special that mother son bond could be.

I am thankful everyday for the parents, Nolan, was fortunate enough to be blessed with. Tommy and Angie did a great job of raising a fine man. He was fortunate to grow up with the blessing of lots of family and friends to love him. And he was great at returning that love.

when I looked at you, Yes, I did. Ain’t that true? You won’t get embarrassed by the things I do, I just want to dance w you.” (George Strait, 1998).

When it came to Nolan and Shannon, they were never embarrassed, but did a pretty good job embarrassing the rest of us! Lol! They could be found making snap chat singing videos, making up dance moves, or making a new Singing with Shannon Instagram episode.

Shannon was loving referred to as Alexis and Nolan’s “oldest child”. She spent a lot of time with them and they carried her to many dance classes and other activities before Shannon got her license.

In many of those car rides, to wherever Shannon might need to go, you could find Nolan and Shannon singing to whatever came on the radio. Of course, Alexis was usually recording, so we all got to join in the fun via video. You can bet those videos got lots of laughs and brought about many smiles. Just what Nolan and Shannon loved to do! Make us all smile!

Today, Shannon told me about how her and Nolan dropped alexis off to paint at Wine and design one day, and they spent the time alexis was painting, to bring dance moves to all that singing. She said they had to have burned over 1000 calories dancing to their favorite songs, while waiting in the car for Alexis.

Nolan kept a smile on Shannon’s face, just like he did everyone he came in contact with. Nolan taught us how important it is to laugh. Today at the bridge ceremony, Pastor Bland, talked about how Nolan brought laughter and light to so many. In a world where we could all use a little more laughter, remember the sweet, goofy, special man we all love. Remember something fun he did or said today, and don’t forget to laugh! It is what he would want for us all.

then she’ll tear your world apart, your gonna cry a little while, then she’ll leave you with a smile” (George Strait, 1997).

In the case of my niece, Ava Claire and Nolan, she didn’t tear his world apart. Just his grill, storage building, and the new bush he just planted. She did all of this one afternoon on his golf cart, while in reverse! Lol!!

Ava Claire and Nolan were always doing some dancing in the kitchen, cutting up and having fun! We have a lot of videos of them two, but like my sister said, they didn’t stay still for many pictures.

Ava Claire and Nolan had a special bond. When she met him she couldn’t say Nolan plainly, so she called him Noylan for a while. She would quickly tell you, if you weren’t behaving, that she would tell Noylan and he would arrest you!

Their bond was a beautiful one to see! And that little girl sure misses him. Nolan was great with children and they knew he cared about them and love them. He will always be forever in our hearts and forever in our fondest memories.

Cut a path across the blue sky, straight in a straight line you can’t get here fast enough, find a truck and fire it up, lean on the gas and off the clutch, I need you in a rush, so baby run.” (George Strait, 2001).

Do you ever miss anyone so much you wish they could run right back to you? I know I feel that way about many people, and definitely one in particular. We all deeply miss Nolan and some days I wish he could just run right back so I could just laugh with him again.

I think about those George Strait lyrics because Nolan loved him some King George. One time Alexis asked Nolan a serious question, and told him if he answered her with George Strait lyrics, which he loved to do, she was going to punch him. When she told us that we laughed and laughed! Nolan was good for many laughs!

I have missed him a lot lately, and it really doesn’t seem to get easier. I expect it never will get easier. I recently heard Luke Bryan, who has lost his brother, and sister, and his brother in law, in the years since Luke was 19 years old. He said you will never understand, you just have to know it’s all part of the plan.

So, this is week leading up to Nolan’s 2nd year in Heaven, I am asking everyone to share their favorite memories. I will share some of mine here in my blog everyday.