2003 - 2 YEARS FOR THE PRICE OF 1

Saturday - December 21, 2002

Dearest Family & Friends:

Is it just our view or is the pace of the “ride” accelerating with each passing year? Not only has the speed with which the ride is moving increased, but also it seems that every twist and every turn are more and more extreme. To take just a few moments this morning to ponder and reflect on the year is breath taking. As we have begun to receive your letters and read of your life’s endeavors, it is clear that we are not the only ones flying through life at mach 10 gasping for air and a few quiet moments. Consider the wisdom of the counsel of the Lord when he said that we should “let [our] hearts be comforted… for all flesh is in mine hands.” He also taught that we should “be still and know that [He is] God.” Having “comforted hearts” and “being still” seems to be an ever increasingly difficult state of existence to achieve. With your help and your love and your examples, however, we are strengthened and encouraged about the achievablity of that blessed and happy state.

Thursday – December 25, 2003

Boy, was that introduction, which never got sent, ever the truth for 2002 and as it turns out for 2003, too! Here it is Christmas morning of 2003 and our family letter has languished on the computer for another year. So, in an attempt to get current and to not “delay the day of our repentance” any longer, here goes.

Chase and Anna have now been married for over a year and a half. They still live in Provo, while Chase attends BYU. They have and continue to make plans about the future, which now include a beautiful, handsome, wonderful, (please insert as many glowing and positive adjectives as you know) baby boy named Cameron Tony Rawlins. He was born in September of this year. They are here visiting for Christmas and have been a joy and pleasure, especially for the grandparents.

Brian has now been home from his mission to Paraguay for a year. He, too, has been making plans about the future and striving to put those plans in to action. He is going to school at a local community college (cheaper tuition), living with his grandmother (cheaper room and board) and working part-time at Outback Steakhouse (cheaper food) and State Farm Insurance (he thinks he wants to sell insurance).

Eric has received his call to serve in the Uruguay Monte Video West Mission. He reports to the MTC on February 4, 2004. So, while he is making plans for the mission, (passport pictures, birth certificates, buying clothes, etc.) he is also preparing in other ways for his mission. Not unlike a camel which is about to go in to the desert, filling its humps with water for the long trip, Eric is filling up his “humps” for the long trip in the desert, too. He is enjoying a lot of time with friends and family, which involves much planning.

Garrett is now 14, longhaired, just slightly taller than Dad and very involved in sports. He played football in the fall, is playing basketball now (he’s pretty good, too) and expects to play baseball in the spring. Next fall he will be a freshman in High School! Man, his Mom is getting old. His plans, and his Dad’s, are for him to do well in school that he might continue to participate in and do well in sports.

Tori is as busy as ever. She is still working at the Hospital (3 days a week). Her plan, though, is to reduce that to 2 days a week. She stays busy with her calling teaching the Young Women at church and participating in their weekday activities, as well as supporting them in their school activities. Making plans for the future with friends and family and encouraging Tony to help with those plans and activities, keeps her busy, too.

Tony is just trying to stay out of the way of all the planning going on around him. You may not realize this, but it takes a lot of planning and effort to avoid being part of others’ plans! And so, he spends a lot of time at work and on the golf course (which he calls work), just trying to stay out of the way. Sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it?

As 2003 comes to an end and 2004 is peeking out over the horizon, we want to express to all of you our heartfelt appreciation and love for all you have done, all you have been and all that you have meant to us and the plans we have made, accomplished and continue to pursue. May we all, as we make “our plans” for 2004, not forget “His plan”. May God bless us all with that which is good and necessary to help in accomplishing His plan for His children.

All our love

Tony, Tori, Chase, Anna, Brian, Eric, Garrett and Cameron