Karen writes with unapologetic, refreshing honesty about the gritty realities of living out the vow “in sickness and in health”. For decades, she and her beloved husband, Rev. Bill Jones, fought the grueling shadows of his chronic kidney failure, two transplant surgeries, and the crushing, silent grief of twenty-two years of infertility.

Yet, in their darkest valleys, God’s light shone the brightest. You will laugh out loud at their hilarious marital misadventures—from catastrophic haircuts to ruined breakfasts—and you will weep with awe as God orchestrates a cross-country miracle, dropping a promised son into their arms and fulfilling prophecies spoken decades earlier. Keeping Up with the Joneses stands as a powerful reminder that prayers are never in vain and tears are never wasted.

This memoir is a profound invitation to witness a life of faith lived “all in.” It is a transparent portrait of a couple who chose love in the hard places, proving that a life of struggle doesn’t mean a life of sadness. Whether you need encouragement to persevere in your own marriage, the faith to keep believing for an impossible miracle, or simply a beautifully real story of human resilience, grab a cup of coffee and settle in. You are about to meet a truly unforgettable couple.

Karen Fitzgerald Jones grew up in Natural Bridge, Virginia, but has spent most of her life in Georgia.  She earned her A.A in General Education from Emmanuel College (now Emmanuel University), her B.A. in English Education from Tift College (now part of Mercer University), and her M.A. in English Education from Piedmont University.

At her core, Karen is a teacher.  She taught seventh grade – college in both public and private schools for forty years before retiring to become a caregiver to her beloved husband. She taught pre-teens and teens in church classes for decades. She often shared “Teachable Moments” on Sunday mornings as she ministered alongside her husband. She has enjoyed speaking and singing at numerous churches, conferences, and retreats over the years. It’s in her DNA, and she loves for her audience to enjoy the lessons!

She is in a new season now, and she is anticipating new opportunities for ministry.  This is her first book, but she doesn’t believe it will be her last. Karen relates to people because she is honest and down-to-earth. She holds nothing back whether she is writing, singing, or sharing in a small group or a large crowd. Her life hasn’t been easy, but God has been a constant presence through it all.  People often describe her as “real.” That’s her heart – to be real and to encourage others to persevere and to keep believing!

I cannot say my faith has been unwavering.  I have always known God could answer my prayers; I simply doubted that He would.  I know now that God’s love is bigger than both my doubts and my anger!  He has loved me enough to see me through tremendous difficulties. This is the God I serve.  When people hear my testimony, they are able to look above and find hope for their own situations. 

—Karen—