Sitting down to sketch out this letter made me realize, GOSH a lot happened this year. Don’t worry though, I won’t go over it in gory detail. Promise.
     Joel and I visited England in March. It was a very cheap vacation. It was very cold in England. These two facts might be related. Joel and I managed to have a lot of fun all the same. From Stonehenge by bus, to Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day, we reveled in lots of chips, football, and pints. Not as challenging as Africa, but a great first step for Joel on his way to becoming a world savvy traveler. Mom and I visited Oklahoma in June for a Lafferty family reunion (mom’s mother’s family). I was able to meet many beautiful, friendly family members I’d not seen in over 25 years. From the oldest at 97, and the youngest still in the womb, I was pleased to realize the breadth and depth of my roots. Luckily, I had practiced on Joel’s mother’s family the year prior at their reunion in Idaho. We’ve got one every year now between the two of us. Also this summer, Joel wrenched his knee playing city league basketball. The good news: the ACL surgery held together. The bad news: there’s a two inch hole in his knee cartilage. A surgery is in the future, but not immediately. He’s mobile, exercises regularly without pain, and we are both frightened about the prospects of an 8 month recovery time. Meanwhile, a vitamin diet and little to no basketball is nearly killing him, so pray for him.
     Joel is still taking Master of Education classes through NAU extension, while working full time for Mesa Police Department. His work schedule is Saturday through Tuesday, swing shift, 4pm to 2am. This means that we see each other as conscious beings for approximately 12 hours total per week during his 8 week courses. Anyone looking for the secret to a successful relationship? I haven’t managed to notice the lack of face time, as I finished my own schooling this past semester. I am now a Master of Science. At the beginning of December, I accepted a part time position at St. Joseph’s hospital (Phx.) in a research laboratory completing computer projects. Two weeks ago, I accepted a teaching position at Mesa Community College. I will be teaching one lecture and two laboratory sections of Introductory Biology until May. Needless to say, I am very excited. Joel will keep up with his grueling schedule. He seems to like it a lot. They seem to like him as well. If the sumo wrestling squad party two weeks ago was any indication.
     The string of weddings continue from last year, with one every other month for the first six months in 2004. That’s three. Two are my friends and the other is Joel’s sister. Joel’s sister, Elisabeth, is planning her June wedding in San Francisco. It’s occupying her entire family with excitement and planning. Joel’s friends are having babies; there were several last year, each more beautiful than the last. Joel and I are having neither babies nor weddings, but still managing to somehow have fun. Joel and I have agreed to remain in our rental for the coming year. He has fully adopted my cat, Fred, even going so far as to get down on his haunches to play. That’s Joel, not Fred. We send all our best to you and yours this holiday season and many blessings for the new year!

Sincerely,

Faye & Joel