I want to be like these people when I grow up...

These are amazing and wonderful people: Ken and Nancy Jenkins, my parents. They sent this photo today. They are 77 and 74 years old, and this photo was taken today at the real estate office where they work.

They are healthy and busy every day. Dad has a little trouble with his ankles, so he has to be careful when he walks and limit how far he goes (less than 1/2 mile at a time...) but they are just amazing to me.

A couple of years ago they decided to augment their fixed income by studying up and getting real estate licenses. This has been a tough year for them--only 2 sales so far in 2009--but before the economy went sour, they were selling 1 or more properties every month..and that's in a small mountain community in rural northeastern Washington. They work full time selling real estate. When sales aren't going through, they are still picking up listings, following up on customers, researching properties, you name it. I have never known two retired people who worked so hard.

They live in a small home heated by wood heat, which they supply for themselves by cutting wood throughout the year. They are known for being wonderful neighbors, who never miss an opportunity to help out. They maintain regular contact with their two surviving siblings, two children & spouses, 12 grandchildren, and I don't even know how many great grandchildren.

Mom calls me every Saturday at 8:30 am. I can set my clock by her. She and I chat and keep tabs on the family news. I wish they lived closer! When the kids were in high school and performing in the high school plays, Mom and Dad would drive down (9 hour trip, one way!) for every play performance. But now that the kids are out of high school, we don't get to see them as often. Guess I need to get into community theater, or something like that...

Like Nephi in the Book of Mormon, I can say that "I was born of goodly parents." I love them, admire them, and I am so very grateful to be their daughter.