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.