We have sad news
Well, this is certainly an unpredictable journey…we aren’t even a week past my last post, but it seems like a year. Dad’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. We had a meeting a with his doctor Sunday, and he explained to us that Daddy is at the very end stage of this disease. We are bringing him home from the hospital today, and he’ll be under hospice care.
We will try to update this blog more frequently, so that you all can be informed. Thank you all so much for your precious comments here… they are so comforting to us. It’s really wonderful to have those words in print so we can go back and read them over and over.
We continue to ask for your prayers…especially now. Dark days ahead. Thankfully, God is in control and we are all relying on His grace. Our family is blessed to have each other, and we are so thankful for that. We’re all in complete unity and are drawing strength from each other. After all, the head of our family has been an awesome example and has shown us what it looks like to trust the Lord.
With Much Love,
The Rice Family
Charity, Mrs. Rice, and to all of the family -
We are praying for Dr. Rice and the family as you go through this difficult time. Words cannot express what Dr. Rice and each of you mean to me and Ken. We learned so much during the many years under his leadership. He is a great man of God. Dr. and Mrs. Rice set such a Godly example of marriage, family and always putting God first in whatever you do. I know Dr. Rice is comforted by the love from all of you by his side and we want you all to know that we love each of you and will continue to pray for the Lord’s will.
Love,
Ken, Rachel and Kendal Mullinax
Charity:
Thank you for the daily reports concerning Dr. Rice and his condition. Your dad has been an
awesome example, showing many of us how to trust in the Lord! I thank God for allowing me to meet Dr. Rice in the year 1976 as a student at TBBC. Dr. Rice has always been one of my “heroes” of the Faith! What a preacher and what a soldier of the Cross!
Please be assured that you folk are in my prayers and thoughts. May the Grace of God be your portion on this day and on every tomorrow.
God will indeed provide for you in the coming days.
I once heard a song, and it goes like this, and I believe this says it all…
“Just think of stepping on shore,
And fnding it Heaven,
Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s,
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial,
Of waking up in Glory, and finding it HOME!
What a day that will be when we all get there!
May God bless the Rice family.
In Christian Love,
Hobart B. Stephens
Romans 8:28
My heart is saddened by this news. PLease know that we are praying for all of you during this time. Jeff and I are where we are in ministry because of Dr. Rice’s ministry. We will never forget the influence,the great stories,his wonderful personality and his love for the Lord. I pray that you have many sweet moments in the days ahead.
We are so very sorry to hear that Dr. Rice has worsened. He is certianly in our prayers. We also pray that God would give each of you
strength. We are here if you need us. We would do anything we could. May God take care of you all.
Mrs. Rice & Family, Our heartfelt thoughts are with you and your family as you sit by the bedside of your loved one. Alzheimers is a cruel disease and certainly no respector of persons. My mother died with alzheimers and was in the alzheimer’s section at Summit Place in Anderson along with a school superintendent, two bankers, a preacher, the rich and the poor, but, they all had one thing in common, they had alzheimers. Dr. Rice loved the people at Oakwood, and they in turn loved him. He was never too busy to chat with a member anytime or anywhere. No one wants to give up their mate, father, grandfather, but yet we do not want to see them in the clutches of alzheimers. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you in the days ahead. As we found out June 30, 2007, and you will too, God’s grace is sufficient. In His Love, Larry & Jo Eleanor
I’m so sorry to hear that Dr. Rice is not doing well. I’m praying God’s continued strength and peace throughout these dark days. We love your family and know that our Abba is doing amazing things in and through your family in all of this.
Dear Rice Family, As word trickles throughout our Oakwood family and throughout my own family, I have heard so many wonderful stories and relived precious memories shared with the Rice family during his ministry here at Oakwood. (The picture of Dr. Rice and Billy Kelly sparked hours of conversation in itself!) I am thankful for the privilege of sitting under his preaching for so many years. Your mom and dad have been such a godly example for so many. May God give each of you strength and comfort in these difficult times. Please know that you all are in our thougths and prayers.
Love,
The Gambrell and King Families