Elder Rice Letter for Monday, February 3, 2014

Family and friends of Elder Rice..

Elder Rice arrives at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Saturday, March 1 at 2:44 p.m. He will report on his mission in our Sacrament meeting on Sunday, March 16 at 9:00 A.M. at the Pinnacle Peak LDS chapel on 51st Ave and Pinnacle Peak Rd. We will have a Pizza Party welcome home party that day as well. You are all welcome at all of these special events. Please keep Elder Rice in your prayers, as he is working hard to the very end, trying to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the wonderful people of Iksan, South Korea. 

Doran and Suzzy Rice

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From: "Nathan Rice" <nathan.rice@myldsmail.net>
To: "deesuz" <deesuz@q.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 2, 2014 8:14:21 PM
Subject: hey family

Hey family,

I'm glad to hear that all is going well there. Here we had an interesting week. It was Lunar New Year here, so Thursday, Friday and Saturday we could not do any missionary work... not that we could before we haha. We have no phone.We try using pay phones, but people have not been answering. It is a Korean thing: if they do not know the person, they do not really want to answer the phone. They usually text you and ask who you are. We cannot text though. It is all good though. We had the idea to visit a less active member. When we got there, he was about to go for a walk, so we went with him. He walked to the school. It is set up so people can just walk on the track there. So, while we were walking, he introduced us to his friends. I started talking to one and we walked faster and were not with the others. So I started to lead into a gospel conversation and another man showed up and started talking to the guy I was with. I made good friends with two men in their mid 70s  though, and  I was so grateful to Heavenly Father. He made me able to understand probably 95 percent of what they said. That was the coolest blessing. 

Other than that, people do not answer our phone calls and we are waiting for a phone. I almost bought one... a used smart phone is only 70 dollars. ... but it's against the rules, so i didn't. I finished the Bible this week and also The Power of Everyday Missionaries. I learned a lot from it all. 

This week, I am focusing on the Spirit, because all that our investigators need is to feel the Spirit and recognize it. That is the most important thing... not huge discussions about all the principles. They need their questions answered in the way that allows the Spirit to speak to them, while helping them understand their answers through the basics of the gospel. I am still thinking about all of this. but ya. I love you all. Thank you to dad and Doran for working on my truck. That makes me happy! (Ya, Doran, I have  tasted lots of gas… every time I put more in the tank and tried to prime the pump!) thankyou....!! 

I love you all. Take care of Jessica. 

Love, Elder Rice

Rice Family Week: January 26, 2014-February 1, 2014

Here 's how our week went...
Mom woke up  Monday  in Vegas, got two great kids ready for school, said goodbye's to Daddy and Mommy, Adam and Grace, and Adam's tree frog (I truly forgot his name...he was a pretty good house guest, other than the fact that he ran out of meal worms, so Daddy had to make a late night PetsMart run)...Joshy and Sam were sleeping. Trip home was uneventful and Mom arrived to knock on Kayty's door, which she grumbled a reply, and when I said something, she said, "Mommy!" So nice to be greeted like that! She madly ran to clean the bathroom and get her laundry in the washer...I spent catch up time and had a hard time sleeping - kept dreaming I had to get Adam and Grace up for school AND Kayty up for work! I am crazy.

Tuesday, tried to recover my routine I stepped out of. Dusted, vacuumed, mopped, made Dee breakfast...oops...no eggs, so no chorizo and eggs. I was absolutely the kindest wife ever and made grits and sectioned a grapefruit. Much of the day was spent cleaning up the grits mess...thus why they are a rarity. Must. purchase. eggs! I then worked on Elder Rice's monthly snail mail. I got in a habit of going to the same spots in the yard and taking a picture on the 22nd of the month...the day he left...and taking a pic of the Phoenix temple on that date as well. This is to be his final snail mail..takes 10 days to get there and there won't be time next month. Saddest thing was taking a pic of his truck in the very same unmoved spot for the 23rd time! I told Dee that this Saturday, we would  work on this truck!

Every month on the 22nd (except this one...but I had a great excuse for this assignment to be late)

Orange and Grey truck of Nathan's...in the same darned spot...every single month...I even begged the other boys to help a few months ago. Ethan offered to push it to another spot...

Bulbs are coming up!...and to the right...are weeds!!! Those I proceeded to get out of the flower bed the very next day!

Dee's garden is really growing. We are just waiting for the 'ripening' stage. I picked tons of snow peas, and he noticed that his Trinidad Scorpion peppers...Hottest in the World...had a couple of ripe ones. He picked...and then proceeded to eat. The first little sliver had very little heat. He was rather disappointed. He then tried another little sliver. That one got the message...and burned like fire! After 10 total slivers, one Trinidad Scorpion, and a gallon of milk were both gone! He gave the other to his friend Larry who uses them dried in his barbeque sauce. The rest of the peppers are going to be used in Dee's drying and using as a powder as well.

On Tuesday, we went to Ethan and Cam's to see the Duck Dynasty shows we had missed. Boy, had Miss Kaylee progressed in the two weeks I was gone. She has snazzy shoes and walks everywhere! She is eatin like a big kid...though they have stopped the peanut butter for awhile...and thinks she is all that and a slice of cheese! Ethan has been putting together a salt water aquarium and it is looking very good...almost ready for the clownfish!

We went out Thursday to visit Doran and family. Kelsie is quite the big sister and feeds Kooper bottles and just is the best big sister! They are doing well and adjusting to baby life!

Dad starts his plants from seed, and uses many when he transplants...and inevitably has plants leftover. He then offers them on Facebook. The takers of the extra tomato plants were Julie B (Julie Gadjuko-Biodrowski...thus, Julie B), the Barton Family, and Gary Wilkins. He replace a couple of plants that didn't look good too.

The missionaries in our ward, Elder Smith and Elder Ogden, came by to show us a video about the temple if we were interested in sharing it with our neighbors. Ethan and Kaylee stopped by and she walked and talked and played with Beau and went into the playroom and decided she was kind of old for my 'baby' toys. Need to get some 'older' things! Jessica also came by to pick up Nate's smart card with pics and she and Kayty visited. Our house went from no one-to a house full-and back to no one. 

Saturday's yard sales (Yard saling is our weekly date!) were ok this week. I ended up getting quite a few little toys for the playroom. Then I began 'nagging' Dee to get to work on Nate's truck. Lots of interruptions later, we were going on it. Doran and Amber came by with the kids...Amber used our computer to complete their taxes, I played and snuggled kids, and Doran helped Dad with the truck. While I was pushing Kelsie on the swing, I heard that long-not-heard sound of Nate's truck starting up. Hooray!!! It was running. I texted Jessica immediately. It drove...Doran and Dad drove it and it now sits in a new place in the driveway, waiting for new brake fluid, new spark plug wires, new distributor, etc.

Now on WEST side of driveway!

Kayty finally met Kooper...and smiled! She held him for quite a while too. She and Kooper's Daddy are not the best of friend right now, but she likes Amber and Kelsie and even this little guy!

Grammy took her share of holding and feeding and burping and snuggling time. I do have every single one of the cutest grandkids in the world!!!

Winners of the cutest grandkid award goes to Adam, Grace, Josh, Sam, Kaylee, Kelsie, and Kooper!!!

Signing out for this week. 

Elder Rice Letter for Monday, January 27, 2014

Sorry this letter is a day late. As the words of Elder Rice came, I was sitting with my precious daughter and son in law, as they read scriptures with their four little children. I sat nestled next to 7 year old granddaughter Grace, as the letter from her "best buddy" came. Brand new baby Sam was eating, while Adam read, and Josh tried so hard to listen. It was my last night in this piece of heaven Allison and Mike have created for these little blessings from above...so I traveled home this morning, and now share another wonderful missionary letter with you. Two grandsons safely in the arms of two families have been our January goal: accomplished. Now, to prepare for the return of Elder Rice on March 1...we need to find his bed...

Family,

This has been an interesting week. Haha. It ended with me. Wait, I’ll explain everything. So Korean floors are heated. It’s the greatest thing in the world. They run off the water heater. In Korea, you never ever heat or cool an empty house. It’s expensive here. Well as missionaries focusing on a billion things, and as humans being forgetful, you forget to turn the heater off. So then the gas bill is high and the office elders call you and make you feel bad. So we decided to just always have it off unless we need it. Like, when we sleep, we don’t need it, because we’re asleep. So we wear sweatshirts and pants and use 2 blankets. I don’t have to do this to save money; it’s just me making a point that I can save a ton of gas. Anyways ya. So I woke up Saturday and turned the phone alarm off and then put the phone in my sweatshirt pocket. Then I did some exercise. I think then took my sweatshirt off and was about to shower. I saw the laundry and realized I needed to do it and threw all the stuff in the washer. Then later, I tried to find the phone. I couldn’t. At lunch, I had some time, so I decided to take out my laundry and put it on the rack thing to dry. At the bottom of the washer was our phone.... It’s been in a bag of rice  for 2 days and still doesn’t work. I realized how much of a blessing a phone is. We met with one new investigator on Saturday who is amazing. He just wants to follow the straight and narrow path and is trying to find it. Super awesome. He had some big questions. When people bring up why Christ drank wine and how we can’t, what is a good way to answer that wont turn into a bash? (Elder Rice, The Word of Wisdom is for the weakest of Saints. If we were allowed to drink, some would drink to excess and it would cause poor decisions and thought. If all people could drink and not to excess, that won't happen. We also have plenty of ways to store water now. They did not then, water would go bad being in leather bags and clay pots. Paul told Timothy to use wine and not water for his stomach problems. If we only had wine to drink or die, then it would be oK to drink wine, as it is better to drink wine then to die. Wine today is to get drunk or to drink socially not for life sustaining of the body.We really don't need to drink wine as they may have had to.Love dad )

So, we had an appointment at 4:00 that didn’t show up and we couldn’t call. Then our 5:00 appointment came late and asked why we didn’t answer his call. Then he left and our 6:00 English class had no one come to it, but it all worked out. Then yesterday, a less active young man was supposed to give a talk, but he didn’t come. We went to his house last night. He said his parents were out of town and he tried to call us to come to church with us, but we didn’t answer. hmph. I was worried because our phone, well, I guess when people call, it just rings.  It doesn’t send a “this elder washed his phone” signal to people. I worried that all the work we did here could crumble and everyone could get upset with us. But I remembered what I talked about last week; that Heavenly Father is Omnipotent. He leads this work. He knew this would happen and He won’t allow it to ruin the work we have done or will do here. I do feel bad because Sunday morning, I had a feeling to go to that youth’s house. Next time, I will follow that prompting. Heavenly Father knows all and has an eye out for all of us and He really does answer our prayers through other people.

I have learned so much this week, but first I had huge trials. Like I have just had super hard times, and then now todayand last night, I have been just taught from on high a ton of things. I have been praying to learn. I then realized that a bit ago, I prayed for these things and told Heavenly Father I would go through what ever it takes to learn that. Then I had these trials, and now I realize it all. Heavenly Father gave me the trial to humble me, because earlier, He had tried to tell me the answers, but I didn’t listen. Once He had sufficiently humbled me, I now am able to learn so much, and its  being taught to me from sources I never thought of: like a Sacrament Meeting talk, and when I studied the Gospel Principle book in Korean; when my companion shared one verse or a Liahona Magazine story he liked. It’s all just answering my prayer and questions. It’s the best. I now have even a more firm testimony that Heavenly Father does hear our prayers. I have no idea how He does it. Like Nephi said,  “I do not know the meaning of all things…” I just know that Heavenly Father loves us. I know He answers our prayers. Every time I have asked to be humbled or to have a trial or to be taught something, He does it; in His way and His time. If anyone of you that read this wonder if Heavenly Father hears your prayers, ask Him a question, and wait for the trial of your faith that will come before you gain the witness. You can ask to be humbled; to receive a trial. That answer comes faster, it seems to me, and you learn a lo,t but its super difficult, in my experience. But, just know that God, the Eternal Father of us all loves us, knows us, and answers all our prayers. I bare witness of this. In the name of Jesus Christ, as His representative on earth today.

I love you all. Be safe and take care of Jessica.

 Love Elder Rice

Now, The Challenge Begins

Typically, I catch up the blog...and forget the blog...I am really trying to be better, though. It was such a wonderful gift from Allison to be able to see her weeks: what the kids did, what she does, what Mike does. After staying there for a couple of weeks, I found out how much I didn't know...school days, work hours, Primary lessons, etc. I don't tell them much of what happens...seems I am too busy with my boring old stuff to just sit down and admit it!

So, I can update this on Sundays...but what timeline should I use? Hmmm...I guess I can start with Elder Rice's past Sunday letter...though after February, that won't work. Gotta start somewhere though...

No Excuses New Start

I do this...frequently...begin sharing, vowing regular additions.

Then, I forget.

Until I get a message from a busy daughter - three kids, newborn baby boy, c-section, allergic hives, who has posted to her blog as a gift...and she is doing it on a weekly basis.

Really?

I love it...every single moment and deed.

But...then the guilt.

So, for whomever reads this, I am doing my best to try and catch up...and go forward.

Our family has already experienced many miracles...

Imagine two cousins...in two states...due two weeks apart...

Born on the same day!

And in four weeks...

A missionary son returns...

In three months...

A wedding for said missionary son and his waiting sweetheart...perhaps

Later...

An eight year old will be baptized.

And there are possibilities for many other events...

So

Here I go.

If you want a good laugh

Scroll back to my last entry on October 18, 2013

Obviously an empty promise!

My Last Full Day

This family is doing well. Allison looks great! And, considering the fact that she had a terrifying allergic to one of the medications they administered intravenously...causing horrible, blistering hives and leaving her pain medication free after her toughest surgery, blessings from the priesthood, and many many earnest prayers were answered. Mike had a meeting at church, so I got the kids up and Allison checked to make sure they were all well and in order...and I took them to church. Again, it was nice snuggling up with my grandkids during a wonderful Sacrament Meeting. Sunday School and Relief Society were as uplifting as they were last week. This ward is so wonderful and the people are amazing and genuine.

We went home, had lunch and enjoyed the rest of our day.

Photo Bombed by Adam!

 And San got his first bath. The kids said he was stinky...but to me, he did not stinketh...

Joshy was funny that evening. We talked about me leaving the next morning, and he said he wanted his mommy back and started moving my suitcase, my blankets and my coat to a pile...I swear he would have had me out the door right then! It's ok, though. I am glad he was ready to take over and help his momma!

And  Kooper went to church for the first time...

I woke up on Monday morning, and got Adam and Grace up and ready for school. Daddy arrived home in time to take Adam, his class pet tree frog, and Grace to school. There were no tears...hooray...because we reminded each other that the next time we come, Uncle Nathan will be with us!

I learned so much these past couple of weeks. I learned how very much I respect and revere my daughter and my daughters in law for being mothers and for taking on all that comes with that great privilege. I am thankful for the dear and wonderful people that Allison associates with. Her ward friends are so wonderful. The day I had all four kids when Allison went to the emergency room, her friend Jessica came by. I was thinking today that she truly was inspired to just stop and visit. She is just that kind of person that helps you get into a good frame of mind and not worry so much. I was so grateful for her and her inspiration to just stop by. I am thankful for the Nielsen family. They live closer to Allison and family than my pizza oven is to my back door. Their daughters are beautiful and kind and helpful, and that family is right there for her. I saw amazing families, living different ways, but all living the Gospel and doing their best to guide the individual spirits they were blessed with in the way of the Lord. There is no one right way to raise kids. I did things I felt were best for my spirits in my home. Allison does things that are best for her spirits in her home. As does Amber, and Cameo, and Jessica and everyone. I am so thankful for the moms that raise my grandkids. I am amazed at Allison and Mike and how they work together, how they know just the right questions to ask, the right way to respond. I am so thankful for doctors who helped these two moms bring two healthy little boys into this world, and for brave families who don't worry about money or time, but only want to do as the Lord wants. I learned, too, that I am not able to be what I once was when I was young. I prayed more than ever that I could do what I needed to. I did hard things and the Lord blessed me to be able to...and now that I am home, I think I am almost recovered. :) I only woke up once thinking I had to get Adam and Grace and Kayty up for school and work! I am so thankful for my mom being there to loan me her car, for Liz taking Kaylee the extra weeks so that I could be away. I feel so blessed...and these two precious little baby boys remind me that tender mercies happen every single day.

Saturday Trip To Cheer

First, I get glimpses of my new Arizona grandson via Facebook...Here are some images posted today.

Grace cheers on her school JV Cheerline. We drove to Henderson today to cheer at a soccer game. She did great...and was the cutest one there, don't you agree? It was nice, too, because after the game was over, one of the player's mother had made hot dogs for the team...and she got one. Though she said she really didn't like hot dogs that much, this one, sitting in the back seat of Nano's car, covered with Grammy's jacket, tasted pretty doggone good!

And with a head full of sock curler's (Daddy's Gold Toe socks make great curlers!), and all ready for bed, big sister takes a little time with her baby brother.