Happy Birthday Rod!!!

Quiet as a deer in the wood,

unchanging as the pattern of seasons,

the years of our lives pass.

The mighty river slowly carves

a new waterway without notice.

It's course is cast.

The great mountains,

resplendant in forest foliage,

stand as sentinels of time

seemingly never to change,

but they do in every clime.

As predictable cycles of life

wax and wane in

natural majesty,

so too our lives, God's greatest work.

We shape our eternal destiny.
L.S.J.

11 July 2010

Psalm 15:1-2

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?

Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh

righteousness, and speaketh the truth

in his heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!! You are ALWAYS in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Linda

The Sabbath

Today is my favorite day of the week. It is the Sabbath, the Lord's day of reflection and rest. It is the day I renew my sacred covenants with Him and promise in my heart to try harder in the coming week. When I was a very little girl I was aware of the Sabbath. My parents taught us that this day was different. My mother would play recordings of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to set the mood. Back then, Dad would go to Priesthood Mtg. in the morning, then return and take our family to Sunday School which was 1 1/2 hours. Later in the afternoon or evening we would return for Sacrament Mtg. which was also 1 1/2 hours. We did not play outside on the Sabbath. My sister and I would change from our 'Sunday-go-to-meeting' dresses into school dresses. We did not wear play clothes in respect for the Holy Day. I loved hearing the organ play in church, the soft quiet whispers of parents settling their children. We had tall gold colored glass windows in our chapel. The effect of sunlight streaming through them forever touched my soul. My best memory is of my family. My Harper grandparents, and all of their children and their grandchildren lived in the same ward in Bellflower, Calif. Sunday Meeting meant seeing and worshipping with beloved grandparents, loving aunts and uncles and cousins. I became friends with Robin Eggleston Shaker in 1953 and we remain friends to this day. Last Sunday afternoon she called from her home in San Clemente, CA. and we laughed and talked for 2 hours. I count that conversation as a bonus blessing. I needed it and Heavenly Father knew it.

Today was our last day to attend our ward block. We had a beautiful testimony meeting. The last 20 minutes Pres. Clark (BYUI) and Pres. Hallstrom (Pres. of the 70) spoke. Their talks were amazing and a perfect ending to a beautiful meeting. Pres. Clark spoke about the eternal worth of each soul and Pres. Hallstrom spoke about the symbiotic relationship of the church and the gospel. In R.S. we had a testimony mtg. instead of a lesson. I will always remember Pearl Davenport's (Rod's mother's cousin) remarks. Rodney gave a lesson in High Priests and then our sweet experience in 4th ward ended. I will be visiting teaching tomorrow & Tuesday as I continue to pack boxes. It is a rare privilege to attend church in the chapel on temple grounds. My Sabbaths here in this congregation of saints have been incredibly special. Blessings, Linda

Springtime in Ammon

It's Springtime in lovely Idaho. We've had several rain showers and the grass is greening. The trees are starting to leaf out. Tulips and daffodils are blooming everywhere. Children are playing outside in shorts. Folks are wearing flipflops en masse. Rod and I took a work party of grandchildren to clean up the pasture. The cow was curious but trotted off every time a young person approached her. Prior to our 'project' we were invited by G.G. (Rod's mom) to a sumptuous lunch at her home with visiting family. Afterward, tanked up with cold soda we took our crew home to see our 12 new baby chicks. The day was finished with a backyard clean-up on our darling H Street cottage (which just sold ). Now, maneuvering around a plethora of packed boxes I'm anxiously anticipating the next chapter of my life including the birth of my newest grandson Oake Capistrano Allred. Call me Farm Girl! Blessings, Linda

My Valentine

You are the gold

in my heart,

tempered, shaped

to fit perfectly,

to be a part

of my soul.

You are the shine

in my life.

A guiding star

within my being

illuminating me as wife,

now, forever.

You are my glow

that others see,

translucent visage.

You are

my blessed revelry,

my life's refuge;

my love.

Linda Harper Jenks

14 February 2010

This year Valentine's Day is incredibly special. I have the greatest of gifts, a true love, a soulmate, my true companion. I could never imagine a life so wonderful! I could never imagine (in my wildest dreams) of being loved so much. So, a very public thank you to my wonderful Rodney, I love you with all of my heart. I always will, Linda

Our Song 'I've Dreamed of You' by Barbra Streisand

I've dreamed of you

always feeling you were there.

And all my life

I have searched for you everywhere.

I caught your smile in the morning sun

I heard your whisper on the breeze at night.

I prayed one day

that your arms would hold me tight.

And just when I

thought love had passed me by

we met.

That first look in your eyes I can't forget.

You melted me with your tender touch,

I felt all fear and sorrow slip away.

And here we stand

hand in hand

this blessed day.

I promise you

as I give to you my heart

That nothing in this world

shall keep us apart.

Come happily ever after be

the man I'll love 'til the very end.

I've dreamed of you

my great love and my best friend.

Who Dat!!

This year's Super Bowl was just that - SUPER!! Rod and I were cheering for the New Orlean's Saints and we weren't disappointed. Drew Brees, in the photo above, was voted MVP after the game. He was outstanding as was the whole team. The Colts were favored to win. They featured the renowned and talented quarterback Peyton Manning, who ironically is a N.O. native. Besides the action of the game (with my darling husband explaining EVERY detail while serving up delicious snacks - he's the BEST!!) we loved the shots of Drew after the game. He was smiling, teary eyed and holding his baby boy who occasionally got his little cheek kissed by his tired but happy dad. The team coach was doused with the Gott filled with some kind of liquid. Hope it was sugar free. We are happy for the good folks in Louisiana, especially those in Na'wlins. Who dat?? The Saints dats who! Bye y'all! XOXO

'Tis the Season

It's here! The season of good cheer! This time of year there seems to be an outpouring of the spirit of God. It feels so good to put money into the red Salvation Army buckets, to choose a child on an Angel Tree, to help elderly neighbors clear snow from their walks or any task which blesses someone and in turn, blesses ourselves. It's appropriate that as we celebrate the sacred birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we find ways to emulate his love for us by loving others. It's simple, and the second greatest commandment....'to love one another.' It cost nothing and yet we are the richest of men when our hearts are filled with the spirit. It is my prayer this Christmas Season that His continence will be reflected in our own. Merry Christmas! Love, Linda

Seasons

"To everything thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" Ecclesiastes 3:1

I remember how I anticipated the arrival of Spring. There is a 'gray' time of year up here in the north. It is between the beautiful pristine coldness of winter and the verdant springtime greening of trees, shrubs and lawn. Life is restored and in full swing in the coming and arrival of summer. This summer Rod and I planted no less than two gardens. One was in our backyard and one was at our dear friend Roy Gardner. He's in his eighties and is our fishing buddy. He lives in Ammon.

Summer was busy and passed too quickly. We enjoyed the fruits of the garden and the fish we caught at Warm River and Henry's Lake. The end of summer brought canning season. Rod and I worked together putting up peaches, green beans, banana peppers and salsa. My mother-in-law gave me a great recipe for faux raspberry jam made with green tomatoes. It's outrageously good! Now, we are in the season of autumn. With cold temperatures mother nature paints a new palette of bright golds, crimson red and vibrant orange. The wind blows and ripples of color tumble to the ground. Neighborhood children stomp and play in the dry, crackly leaves. I am in the autumn of my life. I can look back to my spring and summer and enjoy many memories. So many of my life experiences have given me my foundation. I am still building. This past year Heavenly Father has blessed me abundantly. I am fortunate to be sharing my life with my wonderful husband Rod. He is truly my best companion and my dearest friend. Winter is on the horizon. I'm looking forward to ice fishing and building a snowman. Until then I'll probably whip up a batch of Elva's delicious filled spice cookies. YUM!