From Coaches to Friends to Family

"Friends are the family you get to choose." 

-Jess Scott

God gave us family and God gave us friends. Your family should also be your friends, right? Well, I think that some friends (the right friends) should also be your family. And that is the case with my friends, I mean family, the Jones. First of all, they are THE BEST PEOPLE I KNOW  and I don't know why God blessed ME with them, or why He gave them to me, but He did. He knew I needed people like them in my life and that I would need family like them. 6 years later I am still blown away, every day, that God would give me a blessing as precious and huge as the Jones. And that is because He loves me and wants to give me good, good things. But anyways, family is typically thought of as people who are tied together by blood or marriage; and that's right. But family can also be individuals who make your life better, challenge you, sacrifice for you, love, trust you, and have your best interest at heart. That's why I call the Jones family and why they call me family. 

 I didn't think (For a while) that they liked me THAT much. I thought they liked me but not like one of the favorites or anything like that. Haha i'm oblivious though so that explains it probably.The first time they said I was like family to them I kinda thought, "Aww that's so sweet. I'm honored."But I also thought part of them was saying that, but meaning that they felt close to me and love me.. more than some other friends. And that's definitely true, but only a portion of why I"m family to them. As I spent more time with them, I realized what they meant and that they truly view me as family. When I became Aunt Karel when Kimbrel was born, I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to be. It was the most humbling, beautiful, and special name or title anyone has ever given me. Aunt Karel meant I was more than just a friend or babysitter or mentor. More than "Miss Karel". I was Aunt Karel. It still makes me smile big and she's almost 2!! Being an aunt to Gary and Sarah's baby meant I was special and with that, kinda given more responsibility to do my part in raising her, encouraging her, loving her, and setting a good example for her. As Aunt Karel I hope and pray that Kimbrel will see Jesus in me. That she will see me and be excited and runnnnn towards me and jump up in my arms. That she will, one day, understand that I love Jesus, but only because He loved me first. I pray that she will be encouraged by how I react when I'm sad, upset, or angry. I pray that she will see goodness and light in me, and that she will be drawn to the good instead of the bad. I pray that she will grow up to love Jesus like her mama, daddy, and rest of her family do. I pray that she will have a desire to serve others, share God's love and promises with others, and minister to others by her life. There has been a precious and special place in my heart for Kimbrel since the first second I held her. She has truly changed my life and the way I look at life. She has taught me a new level of love and thankfulness. And I know God will use her to do great and mighty things in this world. As Aunt Karel, I cannot wait to see the plans He has in store for little Kimbrel Lynn Jones. OH and now I get to be Aunt Karel for the second time!!! Party hard, party hard!! Baby Jones #2 will be here in July (2015) and I cannot wait!! 

Ain't they cute?? I blend in well with the dark, curly hair :D

Here come Jones Baby #2!! Kimbrel is a big sister!! 

God sent Sarah from Kansas to Montgomery then to Eastwood, and sent Gary (on top of having a career) to Eastwood, where we were in need of coaches. This is where I met them. And PRAISE THE LORD for that. Even though I was an annoying 8th grader who missed easy layups and whose ears stuck out, they still showed me love and encouragement. That is why I began to love them and truly look up to them. I had times where players from the other teams would ask me if they were my parents or if Sarah was my sister. I would laugh and say no, but it made me really happy when people asked. because I knew I loved them and being family would make me love them even more!! But, through the years. God has blessed our friendship and turned us into family.  It brings me so much joy and happiness to go on family outings with them. meet their family members, and be treated like I am part of their family. There isn't a thing I have done to deserve them or their patience, love, and generosity, but I am grateful for them on a daily basis. They have shown me how to love all people, even the ones who are difficult. They have taught me how to use God's word to make it through hard times and how to still trust him and thank him during good times. They have shown me how to be hospitable and generous. They have shown me patience. SO. Much. Patience. I didn't know that two people could be so patient but thank goodness they are.They have never left my side and have walked me through things that I could not have walked through alone. And I cannot put them into words because there are not words good enough to do so. I don't even know how to tell them thank you sometimes so i just have to say, "Thank you for loving me and accepting me and being my friends." Words fall so short when it comes to thanking them and thanking God for them. One day when I have kiddos of my own, they will hear sooo much about the Jones and to my kids, they will be Uncle Gary and Aunt Sarah. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT YO!! All this to say, I have friends who have become family and for that, I owe God a hundred thousand thank you's because He has blessed me with more than I ever could have asked for. 

Three Times Blessed

 {Nov. 24. 2014}

Photocreds to Alea Bostic // http://aleabostic.wix.com/leemariephotography

As thanksgiving approaches each year, I am always more aware of the things and people i have been blessed with, the lessons I've learned, my relationship with the Lord, and the wonderful life that I have. Like most families, I don't always get along with my siblings. And at times, I feel like we argue more then we get along. However, I cannot imagine life without my big sister (Hope), little brother (Allan), and little sister (Joy). We argue, disagree, make fun of each other, and sometimes get physical haha, but at the end of the day, no matter how mean they were to me or how much we bickered, I wouldn't trade them for anything or anyone else. With them, we have gone through the trial of losing our mom to cancer when Hope was 13, I was 11, Allan was 9, and Joy was 7. Because of that and the way our mom and dad raised us, we drew closer to each other. We learned to encourage more and let the little things go. We have learned how short life can be and how important it is to build relationships with family and friends. These three brown eyed, brunette, sarcastic, and hilarious people make my life complete. I wouldn't say that to them cause we don't do cheesy, ooey gooey feelings often. But each of them contribute to our family. I have 3 forever friends in them, who see my absolute WORST sides, but forgive me and love me still. And I do the same. There is a special bond between siblings and I thank the Lord for the ones he gave to me. Sometimes they are the ones who rat you out when you do something wrong, but sometimes (and more so the case with us), they are ones who help you fix it or distract the parents from finding out. It's a blessing and a curse sometimes :) We may disagree on big things and little things, which is okay. However, we still have to respect each other and try to see their side and accept them for who they are. Love them even if you don't "get" them. These are the people who have known you the longest and have gone through things with you and understand the hard times and good. They are there to laugh on car rides or cry at funerals. Either way, siblings are a gift from God and a treasure. Keep that treasure, don't give them away or push them away at the moments when they don't shine or sparkle like they used to. Give second, third, one billionth chances to them. Keep them and fight for them. They are in your life because God knows you need them. 

 

                  

Allan (17): Allan is the only boy (bless him) and my little, but not so little brother. Through the years, I have seen him grow  from a little goofy boy to a strong, protective, wise, young man. Him and I butt heads SO MUCH but it is because we both takes things seriously, care deeply,  and want to make sure we are living the right way. We don't agree on things alot, but we move past it. He brings the most laughs into our family and has always been that way. He is very protective of me, Hope, and Joy, even if we don't want him to be. He also is very wise, even at a young age. He has been through things in life that have caused him to mature and gain wisdom. I love him and am proud to be his big sister. Whatever girl marries him, will be a lucky, blessed, and forever happy with him. He is special and a role model to boys, young men, and older men by the way he lives his life, loves the Lord, and serves others. He is a stud but also a servant. I"m thankful God has blessed our family with him. 

Hope (21): Hope is my big sister and the oldest of the 4. She is very different from me but we still have common ground. She is independent, charismatic, passionate, outgoing, and strong willed. She has a special and sometimes more difficult role as the oldest because the rest of us are watching her. We watch what she does, how she reacts to things, the choices she makes, the friends she chooses, and the way she presents herself to the world. From watching her grow up, I have learned what things about her I want to do the same, and some things I definitely don't want to do haha. She has been the best sister I could have picked and our personalities go together perfectly. (God knew what he was doing). She has been my best friend and an irreplaceable friend who has helped me when i was in pain, laughed with me when I was being weird (or HILARIOUS cause I am). and she has taught me so much about Christ, life, and college. I am thankful God gave me a big sister to look up to and that she was Hope. 

             

  

 

                 

Joy (15): The baby!! Oh goodness. Joy is the youngest and usually the most annoying (sorry Joy). But she is still loved and adored. When Joy was born, she had holes in her lungs, was rushed to the ICU, then flown by helicopter form Montgomery to Jackson Hospital in Bham. The doctors told my family that they were not sure she would make it to the hospital because her health was in critical condition. That's something I cannot imagine going through as a mom, but my mom and dad prayed without ceasing and trusted God with Joy's life. And God saved her- he healed her and gave her life. She spent several more weeks in the hospital but finally came home. We were THRILLED to meet our new baby sister. All that to say, Joy was a miracle baby and reminder of God's providence, control, and power. JOy is full of life, love, and joy. So her name fits her perfectly :) She brings loudness, jokes (some stupid but some good), and reminds us to breathe and enjoy life. She is a blessing tome and i love having a little sister i can give advice to, encourage, teach, and influence. She is strong and a fighter, which she has been since day 1. I know she will do great things and I am excited to be here to see it!