December 12, 2011 pictures



Elder Lindstrom and I having fun with pomegranets (spelling????)



Some deer meat that we got.  I fixed some of it and man was it good!

The family that called you on Thanksgiving that I was "betting" with that I could have pumpkin pie.  They are so funny!

December 12, 2011

Hey there.  What is going on?
Hello again!!!  This will be the last email you get from me while I'm on my mission.  CRAZZZY!  Man, another good week out on the old mission.  I had my outgoing interview with President Smart this week.  He said, "Man, if this was a business and I could have you stay, I would be asking how much would it take to have you stay."  Meaning money-wise, but he said that is not how it works.  He told me, "I know you have this work down and you know what you are doing.  You are a good example to everyone else and that you have been a good leader."  That really answered a prayer of mine, because a lot of the time I feel like I'm not meant for this job and to have your Mission President say that meant a lot.  He is a good man.  We think a lot alike and he is so cool.  We talked about a lot of things and he is 100% called of God and I love him so much.  He wants us to come see him when I get home.

Sunday I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting and that was fun because it was Elder Lindstroms first talk and my last on my mission.  The youth speaker didn't show up, so we had to take all of the time.  Elder Lindstrom took like 13 minutes, and so that left the rest of the time for me, which was like 25 minutes.  They told me I only had to talk for 17 minutes and somehow I talked for over 20 minutes.  That was way cool how I got to fill up all of that time and it was so good.  I love it when you just feel the Spirit working through you.  So many people said goodbye to me and it was crazy to think I have no more Sundays left on my mission.  Sad thing!

We got to teach a lot of lessons this week and it was so nice to be able to do that for a change (before he came to the area there wasn't really anything going on as far as the work).  I love you all and I will see you soon and I will tell you everything else when I get home.  Have a good week and I love you guys.

Elder Rice

December 5, 2011

Well this week was a good one and the Lord's hand was in it the whole time.  We started out this week with having some people to go and teach, but that didn't work out, so that is never good.  Just like it says in Ether 12:6--that "ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith".  Then this weekend we had to help some people out getting their OYM's (open your mouth), which means just talking to people.  So, we helped get their OYM's for them because we had ours, so we got theirs too.  Then on Sunday we had a lady come up to us and tell her that her granddaughter was going to be coming with her non-member husband, so that was way cool.  We got to know them and they both said yes to the lesson.  The last 3 weeks we have picked up a new investigator each week, and they have all been part member families, so that is good.  Someday they will be able to go to the Temple and be sealed with their wife and kids.  That is the best thing to tell people about and they all love the idea of it.  That is something I like to share because my family means the world to me. 

This week I was at a lesson at the Church and the Bishop wanted to talk to us, so we went in his office and he asked us to speak my last Sunday in the mission.  So, I have to give two talks in 2 weeks---that is not cool and they are not the same topics either.  I have to plan two talks, but that is OK.  It is good for me.  I think I am going to just wing my homecoming talk and let the Spirit direct where I should go with it.  That is what I keep feeling inside to do with my talk, but we will see.

Something else that happened this week was that we have a baptism to come back for again.  We were going to have to the baptism the 1st Sunday, but the girl that was going to be baptised said that she had some health problems, so it didn't work out.  Man, Satan really works hard to not let people get baptized!  I have said that it is really hard when we teach someone one day out of the week and for only an hour at the most, and then Satan has all the other time to work on them.  So that is something our mission is having a big problem with and I have said that from day one, but no one gets it at all.  There are some ways to get around that, but I'm just a DL and I have no input in the big things that go on with the mission, but, hey, whatever. 

So that is my week.  I can't believe that I only have 1 more email left.  That is crazy to me.  This week we have a lot going on.  The ward is picking up it's work and we are teaching a little more, so it should be a good week and a good one to finish strong with.

I'm going to miss teaching people about the Gospel and seeing them change their life.  It is the coolest thing to watch.  The testimony that I had when I came out is not the same one as now.  I know that the Lord is at the head of this church and we really do have a prophet still on the earth today, and that Joseph Smith was and is the way the church was restored, and that the message we share brings greater tidings of joy to the weak and feeble that know not where to find the truth, and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  It shows that we have a loving God that wants everyone to hear his Gospel so that we can live with him again, and that families are ordained of God and that we are all a big family.  I know that the Bible is true and it testifies of him and that he really does love us.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Well, I love u!!!!  Take care and I will see you soon.  We can talk and I can tell you some of the stories.  I love you lots and have a good week.  One more week left for email!  Well, tell everyone Hi for me and take care until we meet again.

Love,
Elder Rice

September 21, 2011

Dear Mom and Dad,
Hey there.  What is going on?  Well everything is going good, but the only thing that could be better is the members feeding us.  That is OK--I have Top Ramen, which I don't like, but I eat it because it is cheap.  Don't worry, I'm fine.  I will answer your questions now:
1)  The work is going good, have just been trying to find people and I have learned something important.  The one thing that sets our church apart is revelation from God.  That means this work goes not where without it.
2)  Well, I'm not in the same ward anymore, but I'm trying to get the ward I am in up and going again.
3)  My A1C (diabetes 3 month average test)--just know that I was a good boy.  It was a 7.2.
4)  No, I'm good on things (I asked him if he needed anything).  I am not going to get any more shoes.  I need white shirts because all of mine are old and have sen better days.   My shoes that I have not are brand new and will last me 3 months.

This is to mom:  I'm sorry to say but mom I'm really not ready to be home and I think I will be in shock when I do get home.  And Dad, I think that will be good to do that about the fairs (helping his dad do fairs and Home and Garden shows).  I have some good ideas--my mind is in business mode, being on a mission and I think you will like them.  It is so weird how a mission is just like life.

Life is going food for me.  I am just really trying to work hard and get my comp to work along with me.  I hope that he will come along or I get a new one so I can work the way that I want too.

It sounds like Ash is doing good and loving life again.  Has she been on any dates yet, with what I would call potential investigators (mission talk)?  I can't believe she has one of those pad things--now everyone has one.  It's like, man, those were not even out when I was home.

I can't believe Brooke has been married for a year--that is just crazy, but cool all at the same time.  How is she doing and what is she up to?  I'm going to have to get her a birthday card.  I can't believe our birthdays are here again.

About when I come home--are we going to do the party thing the same day I get home?  I would like that, but I want to get released and then later in the night have it because I want to get released and go shoot a gun, like my shotgun.  If I could do that, that would be way cool.  Just something to think about.

I love you guys and hope things are going well.  I have to go.  Love you and miss you.

Love, Elder Rice

Pictures

Elder Rice was trying to show someone had as big of head as him--see next picture!

I think Elder Rice's head is bigger--he said he didn't have the hat thing on all the way.  I think he is not in reality!

I forgot to put in my last post that Elder Rice has learned to play the Ukele!  He even sent home a recording and a picture of him playing.  I didn't believe it was him playing at first--he sounded pretty good!

Him goofing around.  He had taken the lenses out of his sunglasses to clean them.

 


Elder Rice and new Mission President and his wife
President and Sister Smart



Elder Mumford--his really good friend from Preston

Someone gave he and his comp $100 to split--he was pretty happy!

Update August 24, 2011

Elder Rice's mom has been VERY negligent in keeping up his blog!  He has not been in Twentynine Palms for awhile.  He was transferred to Jurupa, California (just north of Riverside) in May and he is still the District Leader.  They transferred him as a District Leader from Twentynine Palms, and has been for quite awhile now.  He was also a trainer at the same time, which he said they never did but his Mission President knew he could handle it.  He also got a new Mission President in July--President and Sister Smart.  Sister Smart is keeping a mission blog for those that are interested.  The link is riversidecaliforniamission.blogspot.com.

In his new area, he is living in a converted barn and he loves it.  He stays there with 2 to 4 other missionaries and even has a basketball hoop inside his apartment.  The people that he is staying with (out in the barn) raise chickens and he says that they would wake up in the middle of the night instead at dawn.  He had to get used to that, but now he says it is all good.  He loves his new area and feels like he is doing his best work right now.  He comes home in December instead of November (yes, he extended), so he only has 3 1/2 months left.  Time has really gone by fast.  He says that if he could extend for 2 more years he would because he loves serving a mission so much.  He was on a bike for awhile, but he is now back in a car.  He would rather be on a bike, but it is really hot there so maybe it is for the best.  He said that L. Tom Perry came to their mission back in April and he loved it.

He loves his new area.  He said it was an "older ward", not as many young people.  Here is a copy of some of his latest letters:
June 23, 2011
Dear Mom and Dad
Hey there.  I'm doing my wash right now, so I just wanted to write you really fast and tell you what is going on.  Well this week was so good.  The work is starting to pick up again and it is really nice.  This week the ward found us someone to teach and now he is on date for baptism.  We are teaching him the Word of Wisdom because we know that he smokes and drinks, so prayers for him would be good.  We are starting to find people to teach every day.

By the way Dad, Happy Father's Day.  One of our ward members asked if we get to call home on Father's day and we said no.  He started to flip out.  It was so funny.  Really, Happy Father's day.  I hope it was good and you had fun.  Thanks for all you do for us.  It means a lot to me.  In church they were talking about the things that our dad's did with us.  The one thing I thought of is you always wanting me to be better, but at the time I didn't like it.  Really I wouldn't be where I am today if you didn't help me.  I can honestly say I have given everything to my mission.  It is because of you, Dad.  You know how much church means to me, but my mission means 3 times more than that.  Happy Father's Day again!

Well, mom it's your B-day again and you are turning 21, right?  Well if you aren't you don't look a day over 21.  Happy birthday from Elder Rice!  That is the last time I can say that on your birthday.  I hope you have a good day.  This letter won't get to you on your birthday, but I hope it goes good.  I wanted to let you know that I will be home for your half birthday, so I will be your half birthday gift.  I love you mom and you are the best mom in the world.

I guess I will see you in 6 months.  Just to let you know in 3 to 4 months you should be getting my flight info, so that is cool.  I love you guys, have a good week.

Love,
Elder Rice

August 15, 2011
Dear Mom and Dad,
Hey there, I got your letters that are on the program and let me start out by saying it has been a long time since I have gotten one like this (we write letters on the Church program every Sunday so he can also keep up on what is happening in the ward).  Some people better not be going less active.  Ha Ha Ha.  That is so cool about Bill Young.  He is such a good guy.  My ward mission leader is a convert to the Church and just got done being a Bishop.  He used to be Jewish--that is way cool.

First, what cruise are you talking about going on?  I know you talked about one when I first went out, but I thought that we weren't going to do it now.  That would be so cool if Maddi came.  If Maddi comes, that means Ash has to come--that would be cool. 

I know I'm getting old in the mission.  Pres. Smart called me an old timer and it was like "wow".  There is something I can't wait to do when I get home--go and shoot a gun again.  So, Dad just to let you know--I would like to do that when I get home.

This week we had interviews and I found out when I was flying home.  My flight is at 6 am and I get into Salt Lake at 9 am.  I don't know when I get to IF.  Those are what they are thinking the times will be, but I just wanted to let you know.

I love you guys and miss you guys.  Have a good week.

Love,
 Elder Rice

Elder Rice did have a baptism this last weekend.  He sent a picture home (see next post).  He has a new companion.  His old one went to Century High School in Pocatello.  He really loved having him as a companion.  He didn't tell us where his new companion was from, but he did say that he thought he would die in Jurupa (Elder talk for ending your mission).  He did say that he feels like he is doing his best work right now, but I guess that is what happens.  They just get really comfortable being on a mission right before they come home.  I am sure I have missed things, but I didn't have time to go back through all of his emails, etc.  His sister reported for her mission on August 17th, so I will have to set up a blog for her too!  That should be interesting!!!!

April 4, 2011 additional

It was conference weekend and he said:
Just to let you know, I have my conference breakfast this year (like we do at home:  fried potatoes, bacon, eggs, etc.) and it was good.  My whole district got something and we had breakfast.  Guess who came!  Elder Larimer (a friend he went to school with in Oregon) was there.  We caught up on everything.  No one knew that we knew each other and we kept calling each other by our first names.  It was funny.

Elder Rice and Elder Larimer (with Elder Rice's Comp in back)