So who is this Jill Jones character? Oh where to begin. I guess there are the basics. I was born and raised in Hanson, KY, a one-stoplight town in Western Kentucky that is near and dear to my heart. It was there I learned to be adventurous, have fun, always do my best, and most importantly, love God and love others. I graduated in 2010 from Transylvania University (no, it’s not just for vampires) in Lexington, Kentucky with a double major in both mathematics and psychology. I still didn’t really know what I wanted to do with that, though, so I decided to put off making a decision and instead spent part of my summer in Africa. When I got back, I still didn’t know and thus decided that I was meant to move back to Lexington, so here I am. I’m 23 years old and go to work each day as a bank teller, which I truly love – my coworkers are some of the funniest and friendliest people I know. I am a member of Southland Christian Church, where I am lucky enough to be leading a group of awesome high school girls and can occasionally be found volunteering as a greeter at Sunday night services – it’s like being a Wal-Mart greeter minus the smiley face stickers, plus Jesus and programs. 🙂
But what fun is there in just discussing the basics? So if you really want to know what I’m all about, these are the things you gotta know! Primarily, God is the center of my life (though it hasn’t always been that way – testimony to come later!). I want more than anything else just to grow closer to Him each day, to learn more, to love more, to give more. That being said, I do have some other fairly significant loves in my life and fun things to share. I’m quirky, passionate, loud, enthusiastic, a lover, a perfectionist, and yes, most times fairly awkward and weird. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. So here are some tid bits for ya:
- Though born and bred in Kentucky, also known as Wildcat Country, I am a dedicated, loyal, and proud Duke basketball fan. They’re “my guys” that I love, no matter how many UK fans harass me about it. Let’s go Duke!
- I am in love with Harry Potter. Yes, I am the 23 year old that was lined up hours before midnight at the latest premier dressed head to toe in my Gryffindor costume with my wand in hand that lights up when you flick it. I’m not sure how many times I have reread the books, but I can tell you that I’m unashamed.
- I grew up riding a four-wheeler in the woods behind my house, and thus consider myself somewhat of a country girl at heart. I even had a senior picture taken on that beautiful camouflage vehicle because it holds so many memories. Hilarious, but true.
- The last college course I took was “Tour de France,” for which I biked through the south of France for two weeks. The grand finale was cycling up Mt. Ventoux, a 13+ mile climb to an elevation of 6,273 feet. It was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, both physically and mentally, but oh what a feeling when I finally made it to the top!
- I have a collection of stuffed penguins – they’re my favorite animal.
- My favorite food is anything and everything that my dad grills – he is the grill master.
- I can eat a 24 count of chocolate chip Kroger cookies in three days all by myself.
- My acting debut came my junior year of college when I played Corrie Bratter for a single scene from Barefoot in the Park. I was probably awful – it was amazing. I loved every second!
- Math excites me way more than it should. Sit me down with a math problem and I’m lost in my own little world and I’m okay with that.
- I could probably dig and build a latrine for you if you really needed one (which may come in handy for the race?!). Before you get too grossed out, please know that this was the focus of our construction projects on my first mission trip to the mountains of Venezuela.
- I love to sing in my car. Very loudly.
- I am incapable of controlling my facial reactions, so if you really want to know how I feel about a situation, just watch me directly after it happens. Good thing about this? I can't lie. Bad thing about this? I can't lie.
- I love soccer, both cheering on my talented friends and attempting to play myself in indoor intramurals.
- I spent two weeks whitewater rafting down a jungle river in Honduras completely removed from civilization. Awesome. Though it started the day after the country kicked out their president, so I’m pretty sure the parents weren’t so pleased about that one.
- I’m crazy about being out in the middle of nature where everything I see is simply made by God – it’s when I feel closest to Him.
So that’s a little bit of who I am I suppose. I’m quite the adventurer and Jesus fanatic, which is why I chose to become a racer. My first blog will go more in depth with that, but pretty much I’m just eager to let God use me as a way to spread His love and compassion to all of His children around the world, regardless of their culture, their language, or their circumstances. I want to see His Kingdom come now, and any way I can be a part of it will be a blessing. I can’t explain how excited I get when I think about what the next year and a half of my life will bring. Will it be challenging? Definitely. Will I have struggles? Without a doubt. Will God do amazing things? Will the Spirit be moving? Will lives be changed? YES! YES! AND YES! So if you’d like, I’m pretty much asking you all to join me on this journey. Learn with me. Grow with me. Love with me. Partner with me. 🙂
Sending all my love and peace your way. May you be blessed!
