Jeff
Today is my oldest brothers Birthday- so I wanted to take just a minute to write about Him. Often times in my life- I have chosen to write about someone after they passed away and therefore they missed knowing exactly how i felt about them…how much I cared about them and loved them. So one of the things that I planned to do this year was to make sure that people know that I love them and am thankful for them. My oldest brother is Jeffery Austin Jenkins. He is a pretty spectacular person— he is seven years older than me and looks 15 years younger than me! :-) My brother Jeff- will not be happy I am writing this about him….he is such a humble person. I have looked up to him all of my life and I have always thought he was about as close to perfect as anyone I have ever known. When I was a pretty young child- I remember once asking my mom if Jeff had ever sinned. it was a sincere question at the time- she made a big deal about it and told me that he must be pretty close to perfect for me to have to ask that question. Jeff is the kind of brother that doesn’t have to call you everyday for you to know for sure that he is praying about you. He is the kind of brother that will not push his opinion on you but is one of the best sources for wisdom i have ever known. Jeff is the kind of brother that I wish every sister in the world could have. He loves people- he reminds me of my father in so many ways- he is kind and good-hearted, he cares so much about people and wants to really know who they are and what they are dealing with in their lives. Jeff is a good friend- I have heard on more than one occasion people introduce him as their best friend- and he has friends everywhere. Jeff loves his family- He is so devoted to Laura- she is such a special wonderful person and he takes such good care of her as she does of him. I remember one time when I was in college coming home for a visit and Jeff was in town recording the tv program with daddy- we had all gone to lunch and afterwards he called Laura and in the conversation he asked her to make sure she took a nap. I loved him so much for that simple gesture- The two of them share an incredible marriage and I love knowing that God is at the center of that marriage. Jeff loves his children- I have never known a more devoted father and I witnessed it all of their lives- his love and guidance and patience and care. Jeff is just a good man- I am so thankful that God gave him to me as my big brother. But the most important thing you should know about Jeff is this- He loves his God. I could listen to him preach for hours and hours and the main reason I love it so much- is because he is a man that lives what he preaches- he lives a servant life for our heavenly Father and everyone that knows him knows this about him. Jeff, thank you for always being an example to me and for loving me and teaching me to love God more. p.s.- please don’t be upset at me for writing about you. :-)
