Hello to all of my dear family and friends. What a year we
have had! It is exciting to be settling down for Christmas this year. For some
of you, I had this Christmas letter microscopically engraved onto a crystal delivered
to you earlier today. My close family and friends can see this on Instagram,
while the rest of you can just read it on Jeff’s blog.
Our house is looking so pretty. It is nice to be in a place
of our own again. Jeff was really busy this year with work, so I had to put up
all of the decorations and the lights myself. It helped me realize that I
needed to simplify, so I just hired some people to do it. I don’t know what
they celebrate in Mexico, but I think it helped the workers get the Christmas
spirit.
After some health problems, I finally got back into the
swing of things. I was able to expand my No Pay Shui organization into Kenya,
where even the poorest villagers will be able to get free interior design
advice. I flew to Kenya 5 times this year and have learned to love the people
there. I wish I could go more, but
I am busy with my triathlon training, musical performances and taking care of
our lovely home.
As I mentioned before, Jeff has been busy with a new line of
work. Apparently, there were some shady people he worked with in that human
organ transportation business he was doing and now helps the police track down organ
trafficker. He has a fancy device around his ankle and he isn’t allowed to
leave our neighborhood without a police escort. In fact we live in a “safe
house” and assumed a new last name (Chapman) as part of this new job. He keeps
telling me that posting so much to Instagram draws some dangerous attention to
us, but I really need to share my good works with the world. He doesn’t wash
that ankle device enough and it is really starting to stink.
Our Jefanie turned 19 and is serving a mission in San Diego,
which I love because it is so close! With all of my trips to Kenya I can use my
frequent flyer miles to go down and see her about every 3 weeks. I think it
really helps her to focus as a missionary to have regular in person contact
with her mom.
Cymphanie turned 17 and is starting to look at colleges. She
has been getting all sorts of stuff in the mail plus schools calling her to
talk with her in person. I guess there is a shortage of female tuba players at
MIT because she got a scholarship to go there. I wish she would go somewhere
more reasonable for her abilities, like BYU.
Our son just turned 12. I can’t believe my baby is almost a
teenager. I don’t feel or look any older so I really can’t figure out where the
time has gone. I guess that is what happens when you focus so much on making
your kids stand out and shine.
Well, it is time to go. A black van with dark windows just
pulled up outside. It is probably full of carolers so I need to get the hot
cocoa ready for them. Have a Merry Christmas to you all!
Love,
Jeff, Stephanie, Jefanie (Sister Yancey), Cymphanie and the
baby boy.
