Bom dia familia e amigos,

Tudo bem! I love the mission so much. There is so much work and so much good stuff going on. This last week we had a Christmas party with the mission president and his wife, they came out to Fogo to have a party with all of us. We had a white elephant exchange and i got a pen holder that was painted that said `Cabo Verde. The person that made it is also going to paint my favorite scripture and my name on it (my favorite scripture is Ether 12:27). We had so much food – a ton of chicken, mashed potatoes, rice and unlimited pie. It was the best.

We did divisions that day with some elders that came to Sao Filipe. I got to lead our proselyting without my companion. It actually went really good, I’m surprised how much I knew and could understand without my trainer. The next day we traveled by yas ( a van in which the driver fits as many people as he can to a destination. I think I counted 20) to Mosteiros. We went to attend a wedding that my trainer had set up last transfer. It was cool, there was also a lot of food and cake, it was bomb. There was lamb and potatoes, it was so good. We had our first baptism this transfer with Jardell. A 15 year old boy that has had like 3-4 baptismal dates. When we went to his house to do the interview he wasn’t there! We searched for 35 minutes, went around the entire neighborhood 3 times and knocked on his house twice. We were about to give up when we knocked one more time and he was there. He did the interview and he was ready! The next day we had the baptism and i couldn’t stop smiling.

Some of our other investigators include Auginaldo, who when we met him was completely drunk (and he had a baptismal date when he was drunk). He has now been sober for more than 2 weeks and will be baptized this week. Then there is Maiza and her 2 kids. They are seriously golden, the love the church, they love learning about it, they believe it and they are preparing for baptism. Maiza's husband Manuel was in Praia (another island in Cabo Verde) for a while but returned yesterday. We talk him and he was very excited, we set him to be baptized on the same day as his family. Then we got a reference for a family of like 12. We split up the guys with us and the girls with the sisters. I think we have like 7 guys that we taught. They live 30 minutes away in Ponta Verde and they come early every Sunday so we can teach them. They're age ranges from 24-54 (something like that). They are all very interested. We have taught them twice and they too will be baptized on the 12th of January. We have two other family references that we will teach as well. These are a few of the people we teach. I sincerely love each and every one of them. I will do everything I can to help them better they're relationship with they're Heavenly Father and come unto Christ.

This gospel is 100% true, i know it and I love it. I would die before I deny this church. Feliz Natal (Merry Christmas) everyone. This is a time of year to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World and he was sent into the world to help us be clean of our stupid mistakes. Christ is the light and life of the world and only by his name can we be saved. This is not a little thing. Remember what Christ did for you and do everything you can to pay him back. That’s why I’m here. I love you all and miss you all!!!!

Love

Elder Rice

Hey Everyone!!!

I’m on the island of Fogo and its awesome!!!! I seriously love it here. I don’t think it’s ever been so easy for me to pass out at the end of the day. The entire island is uphill and then eventually downhill, by the time the day is over I’m dead. Last night I was just relaxing and accidentally fell asleep at 9:45, and forgot to plan and go to bed at 10:30, i was pooped. Anyway, we had a sweet week!!

Last p-day we went out to eat as a district, it was a lot of fun and really good. I never knew that mayonnaise could be so good on beans and rice, its delicious, try it!!! We had zone conference on Tuesday! It was awesome, some other elders and sisters from another area of Fogo traveled here and stayed the night at our house! There was an elder from Ethiopia, one from here in Cabo Verde. The one from Cabo Verde, elder Nhfe, had a beaten up, ripped paper back Book of Mormon for his main scripture, i don’t even think it had the d and c. I had an extra hard back Book of Mormon that I think Roman Laws gave to me and I gave it to him, i think he was pretty excited. Any way at zone conference I had to bear my testimony cause i was new, we learned teaching techniques, talked about goals and all shared a miracle that we had seen in our mission. I told the one about me in the airport getting past security.

I got to do my first division from my trainer Elder Christensen, having only like 7 days in the field. This wouldn’t be so bad if all the people here didn’t speak Creole. To make it a bit more intimidating, I had an elder that has only been out for a transfer come with me. He doesn’t know Creole yet either, awesome!! However, it went REALLY good! We were able to teach 4 lessons, us newbies. We taught Koko who had been taught in the past and had two Book of Mormons and a bible. We taught the importance of the Book of Mormon and challenged him to read and pray to know the truth. Our next lesson was Sarah at 6:00. I had to put my scriptures in my bag at the church so we ran to the church to get them. At that point we were already late for the lesson. Then I got us lost cause I don’t know the area that well. We ended up being 30 minutes late, and we knocked and she wasn’t there, I thought it was my fault. Then we talked to guys in the street that my temporary companion knew from his mission called Col Fageira on the island of Fogo. While we were talking, Sarah had just arrived back from work. If I hadn’t left my scriptures, got lost and talked to these men from a different part of the island, we wouldn’t have talk Sarah. Sarah is awesome, she has such a strong desire, but she works on Sunday, i think things will work out.

We found a golden investigator. Her name is Maiza, we contacted her on the street and she was talking about how she wants to learn more about our church. She wanted to know if she could live with her daughter after this life, we explained the plan of Salvation, she loved it!! Then we taught the restoration and asked her to pray for the truth. She prayed and says that she knows that we are from God and this is the correct path for her. Maiza, her daughter and her husband will be baptized on the 5th of January, awesome!

We have been working with Jardell, a 14 year old boy who has been taught for months, he has had like 3-4 baptismal dates set, but he always missed church. He will be getting baptized this week on the 22nd. Also, Auginaldo hasn’t drunk in 4 days and has a date for the 29th. He came to church and seemed to very interested

Before church, we had a referral from our branch president about an entire family that drives 40 minutes to come church that want to be taught. We talked with 2 of these family members while, the sisters talked with the others. We have committed them to be baptized on the 12th. After this meeting with this family, we had 10 minutes to go around our entire area and pass everyone to make sure they were coming to church; we sprinted the entire city in our suits and made it!!! we were worried about Jardell but he showed up after the 1st class. We have received 3 referrals for full families that want to learn about this gospel. I know that the Lord has prepared this people, they are ready for the gospel of Jesus Christ in their life. What seemed like so-so transfer may turn out to awesome!

This probably isn’t even half of what happened, but overall, this is the best mission in the world! I love serving here, talking with these humble people and sharing the best message in the entire world. I know the Lord is watching over me and will help this work progress. I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints so much, seriously, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, the way we can live with our families forever, i love it so much, i couldn’t ask for a better call.

Love,

Elder Rice

Dear Family and Friends:

 

I cannot believe that i am in Cabo Verde, the mission is going so fast!  this place is awesome, its seriously so beautiful, i love it so much.  One thing that kind of is bugging me is the Creole, just about everyone here talks creole and I cannot understand one word that they are saying.  However, when they switch to Portuguese I can understand everything.  its so frustrating that I learned Portuguese for 2 months and now everyone talks a completely different language.  The people that speak Creole mumble and slur and its impossible to understand, its basically butchered Portuguese.  However, I am getting much better at speaking Portuguese.  So we arrived in Cabo Verde and I got punched in the face with the humidity and heat and started sweating hard (Im getting used to it now).  We landed in Praia (the capital) and got picked up by President Oliveira and his wife and the assistants.  They are so nice, i love them.  Then we found later that day where we would be called.  3 of the 5 in my MTC district stayed in Praia, while Elder Martinez went to Santo Antao (i think) and I got sent to the island of FOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Heck yeah, they have a huge volcano on the island (fogo means fire in Portuguese).  So I stayed the night at the Assistants house, condensed my luggage to 44 pounds a back pack and a carry on and went and checked out the city.  The food here is awesome, especially the bread!!!  I was supposed to be picked up at 2:30 by a member but they must have forgot cause its was 3:15.  My temporary companion elder Talbot took me and Elder Santos and I to the airport in a taxi.  Then when we get there we find out that I can only have a 40 pound bag, so i have to get rid of stuff.  Then we found out that you can only have one 5kg carry on, i have at least 30 kg worth of carry on with books and other stuff that I need. The security guy wouldn’t let me in and the plane was about to leave.  I said a quick prayer and then I see Elder Talbot talking to the guy.  For some reason I knew things would work out.  The man suddenly put an approved sticker on my bag and let me through.  I know that I wasnt supposed to be picked up at 2:30, because without Talbot i wouldn’t have got on that flight, I know that God was watching out for me.  When i arrived in Fogo i met my new companion Elder Christensen. He is tight and funny, pretty goofy too, but i like him.  He is helping me about a bunch.  

 

So the last elders that were in our area apparently didn’t fill out an area book, that means we have no addresses, no information about them or anything.  We have to start from scratch.  however we did have 1 piece of paper with names.  We went around the area asking people if they knew those on the paper we have.  Its weird have everyone knows everyone and knows where they live.  We taught a few lessons, to Dino (has a baptismal date) and Jardell (14 year old boy).  The days following, we went around trying to find everyone on the paper and doing our best to get to know the area, because neither of us have been here.  There are a bunch of drunks in the street, apparently our house  gets robbed frequently, people breast feed during lessons and there are always naked babies around.  We barely had any food this week, except bread, big change from the MTC.  Its very hot and there is a lot of uphill.  In all honesty, i have been called to the best mission in the entire world, this place is something special.  The people here are VERY open to hearing the gospel and they all love the missionaries, i love walking down the street and the little kids yelling ´´Eldahs, eldahs´´ and then they run up and give you a high fives, they are so cute.  

 

The members here are awesome, they are always working to help the missionaries, they truly love the gospel.  You can tell such a huge difference in the members and non members, you can just see it in there eyes, if they are truly happy or if they just get drunk for no reason.  There are a few young men in our ward that have sent in the papers, will send them in or have got their call (most to Mozambique).  We have had probably 4-5 different members walk with us and help us out, its bomb.  Its weird how almost every person we have talked to has either talked with the missionaries before or have already been baptized and are inactive.  Inactivity is a HUGE problem here, many are baptized without a firm foundation, maybe being baptized just for the missionary or they don’t know the proper way to be converted.  That’s something that bugs me because a lot of it is due to the missionaries that just want to get a baptismal date and they want numbers.  In my opinion, that is not the way to do it because many of these people will say yes to baptism any way, they need to learn to be converted.  By the way, i got to invite two people to be baptized yesterday, Jardell and Neta, they both said yes.  Neta works every Sunday so we have to figure out how she can keep the Sabbath day to be baptized. 

 

I have so much to work to do, so much to learn, I have been so humbled in my circumstance.  I am so excited to love the people of Cabo Verde and serve them.  This gospel can change lives, and it is so apparent when we got to church.  I couldn’t be more excited to be here, i love this place so much.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the fullness of the Gospel in contained in the Book of Mormon, this I know.  And I know that any willing person so read the Book of Mormon, I promise, and willing person to read the Book of Mormon and pray will receive an answer.  An answer that will lead to happiness in this life as well has eternal life, happiness and joy in the life to come.  I love you all so much!

Com Amor,

Elder Rice

Hey Everyone,

1 more week, I cannot believe this right now!!!!  I'm so pumped/nervous, I just hope that I am ready, I have prepared alot, but I still feel like I'm not ready in some aspects of teaching.  The language is coming along really great, i know all the grammar principles pretty well, now its just a matter of applying these things in my daily speech.  I love speaking Portuguese, its so fun, at some points in speaking, i dont even have to think about what I'm saying, it just comes out.  I don't know if I've already said this but my companion heard me speaking Portuguese in my sleep, AWESOME!!!  Thanksgiving here was so-so..... we just had a devotional by Elder Jeffery R. Holland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  SERIOUSLY so bomb!!!  The second that he stepped in the room everyone shot up and stood for respect and we were all freaking out, seeing Elder Holland is basically every missionaries dream!  He is so powerful, direct and just makes you want to be a better saint!  2/3 of Elder Holland's family attended and they had their grandchildren do various musical numbers and bear there testimonies, it was really sweet.  Elder Holland and Sister Holland told us that they were our parents for the day and that we were going to have a lot of fun!  Elder Holland's talk was so simple but so powerful.  He based his talk on things that he was grateful for.  One thing that I think most members of the church take for granted every day, and that is having the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  This truly is the most important thing that a person could ever had (besides family).  He also expressed his gratitude for the difficult and painful sacrifice that the Prophet Joseph Smith made to give us these wonderful doctrines in our life.  When Elder Holland switched from "we are your parents happy talk" to "Apostle of the Lord" it was absolutely incredible.  Elder Holland a member of the Quorum of the 12 apostles bore sincere testimony that Jesus is our Savior, that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, that the same gospel that was taught in Christ's church has been restored to earth by the Book of Mormon providing the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As bore witness of these truths you knew he had a knowledge of these things.  Elder Holland is in fact an Apostle of God that has been chosen for our day, I know that he is a man of God.  These are the things I am so incredibly grateful for, I could never pay back Heavenly Father for all that he has given me, but I will sincerely try.  The devotional was truly awesome.  After that we had a Thanksgiving dinner which was ok, but tasted strangely similar to every other Sunday meal we have had (nothing like mom's turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce and more, man i miss that).  We had a service project that we made hygiene an education kits for kids in Oulessebougou, Mali (in Africa)  It was a great opportunity to serve.  Also we watched, the movie "17 Miracles)  which was awesome.  It just made me realize how much the saints before us sacrificed so that we could have this wonderful gospel in our life and around the world.  I am so grateful for the pioneers that gave so much for us.  Some of them may have been my ancestors, and just to think of the tremendous will and faith they had makes me realize how little I have done.  The constant study and class that we have at the MTC makes me realize how much time I wasted at home.  There are so many parts of the gospel to learn about and improve in our lives.  I regret not sharing this gospel more with my friends, I just want to go out into the world and hand out Book of Mormons and teach everyone.  I have never had this fire that I want to share this gospel so much, it hurts.  Whats it going to hurt if you bring up that your Mormon in conversation, whats it going to hurt if you talk about the Book of Mormon and how there is Another Testament of Jesus Christ that the world doesn't know about.  This is a message that can decide our eternal salvation, lets share it.  Everyone that reads this please try to share the gospel with a friend, family, stranger or in any way possible, give out a Book of Mormon, talk about families, do something, it will be worth it.  I truly love this gospel with all my heart, I'm convinced I'm going to serve like 10 missions with my wife someday!!!  I love you  all and miss you all!

Com Amor,

Elder Rice

Dear Everyone!!!

Week #7!!!! This is nuts, I’m gonna be in Africa, I can't describe how excited I am!!!! However, the MTC is fantastic as usual. You’re all probably tired of me telling you how awesome the MTC, but truthfully I love it so much!!!! Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to be a host for the incoming missionaries. This was one of the larger groups because no missionaries are coming in the week of Thanksgiving. IT was crazy! I felt like I had literally just been dropped off at the curb, and I’m the Elder carrying elders baggage! There is a missionary from Cabo Verde here at the MTC and he lives in our residency!!! We went up and talked to him for like 30 minutes about Cabo Verde. he says we are gonna love it! Elder Teixera (from Cabo Verde) has been a member his whole life (which is unusual since teaching didn’t really start until the late 1980''s) and his dad was the person that brought the missionaries over to the island Fogo (island with a bunch of volcanoes). IT was so cool to talk to him, and i could understand just about everything he said in Portuguese, awesome! The language is going great, I’m excited to use it in the field, i know that nothing will compare to speaking it every day with the natives. My companion Elder Heagney is up to 83 ties from 1 tie, pretty impressive. he does 5 for 1 trades and people are thanking him, he is good. I'm learning so much every day, I have so many things to work on, but hopefully I'll be ready by time I leave. Reading in 3 Nephi, with the arrival and ministry of Christ to the people in the Americas is absolutely amazing. I think when I read the Book of Mormon the first time I missed it because that is such a great section (3 NE 11-27). I love the lessons that Christ teaches the people that are so simple and so direct, it’s so powerful. Our Church is centered on Jesus Christ, everything we do relates to the example, teachings and doctrine of Christ. It's hard to believe people think that we aren’t Christian. Christ visiting in the America and the records kept by the prophets are what set our church apart from any other church in the world; we have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon. I feel bad for not using the Book of Mormon as much as I should have. I just want to thank my parents for raising me in the gospel, for taking me to church, for guiding me to learn about the Gospel, it truly is blessing that has changed my life. I am personally grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have been starting to keep a journal set aside for my feelings, spiritual promptings and special experiences. I would challenge everyone at home to do the same, it’s nice to read your thoughts and strengthen your testimony. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I’m not perfect, but I will do my best to be a representative for Him.

Com Amor,

Elder Rice

 

Hey Everyone,

I really cant believe I've been here for 6 weeks, its kinda crazy.  Things are starting to be real, I'm going to be in the middle of nowhere in a couple of weeks, WOW, I cant wait!  It's been the same schedule for everyday, but still, I continue to learn and progress in Portuguese, the spirit and the gospel every day.  I love how everyday here seems to be an answer to a prayer, whatever I may need help on, whatever I may be struggling, don’t understand or want to strengthen seems to be the thing that is focused on and helps me to grow.  Anyway the MTC is bomb as usual.  I have only put on 5-6 pounds which is surprising, I had better start eating more.  The food here is starting to get kinda old, I definitely miss my Mom's meals, they are so much better and healthier haha.  I realized how much I truly miss everyone at home, but I know that I’m doing the right thing.  Last Tuesday, we had the most bomb devotional given by Elder Zwick of the 70.  I believe Elder Zwick also came to our stake in Washington and gave a talk!!  Anyway, this talk hit me really hard.  He focused on being Christ like.  Such a simple thing to say, but something can have life changing blessings.  He said that the 4 things we need to follow to be Christ-like is 1. Continuous 2. Unconditional 3. Submissive and 4. Compassionate.  This talk really hit me hard because, I have now been called to a representative of Jesus Christ, I literally carry his name on my chest.  I represent Him and His church, and doing so I should leave be the best possible example.  I have some many aspects to work on, I still act immature in many areas, but this talk makes me want to be the best i can be, not just better.  I'm going to try my hardest not to take this lightly.  I have found that the more, kind, compassionate and Christ-like I have been, the more happy I am, the more friends I make and the more effective our teaching is.  I love the scriptures so much.  They truly are the Word of God.  Honestly, any question that any person has concerning life, death, afflictions, trials, confusion, our purpose can ALL be answered from the scriptures.  And its great because things that are briefly talked about in the Bible are expounded greatly in the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon and the Bible work so well together and truly contain the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many people confuse the Book of Mormon to be something evil, but the truth is if they took 1 ounce of effort to read it, not only would they see that it is centered on Jesus Christ, but that it is the Word of God.  Anyone that reads this book, I promise they will know this.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is absolutely amazing.  I love having this gospel in my life, I am happy because of it!

Love,

Elder Rice

Dear Everyone!!!

I cannot believe that I am currently over the hump to finish my duration at the MTC, that is absolutely bizarre.  When people tell you that 2 years go fast, I believe it.  I feel like I wake up and get ready for bed within an hour of each other, its kinda crazy.  However, I still am loving the MTC more than ever, this is the best place!!!  Halloween here was pretty hilarious.  These elders in  our residency made their room into a haunted house where you have to walk inside and touch the wall.  As you walk, they flicker the lights, one kid had taped his nose to his forehead to look like a pig, another had a pink bunny suit and jumped on you and then one was on the bed yelling out things like Golem.  It was hilarious, I took a video, it was so creepy.  I have SO MUCH candy, cookies and treats, its crazy, i share it with everyone and there is still an  abundance, i guess it will be a good cushion for Cabo Verde when I sweat myself thin.  My companions is currently at 46 ties from starting to trade one tie.  Its pretty remarkable.   Anyway, the lessons this week have been absoltely a slap in the face for me.  Ive probably already said this but, the more that I have come teach by the spirit and by the Lord's way, the more I realize how weak i am.  No missionary can convert someone by their own strength, and if they do that conversion will not last.  True conversion comes from the thoughts, feelings and simple whisperings of the Holy Ghost.  Anyone that puts the effort to know the truth by prayer "can know the truth of all things".  The same goes for teaching.  I always thought it was crazy when people said they "teach by the spirit", it didnt make sense, but now its coming all together.  The spirit  helps discern the needs of the investigator and helps inspire questions that can really make the investigator open up.  I am no where near a great teacher or missionary, but I know that when i put my trust in the Lord and rely on the spirit, I can be better.  A cool quote i heard was "As long as you do your best, the Lord will do the rest".  The language is coming so good, I can understand every word that my teacher says and he doesn't speak any english as of yesterday.  We set aside monday, wednesday and friday to only speak portuguese, awesome huh!!!!?!  I love learning about the Prophet Joseph Smith, its a truly inspiring and life changing story.   I'm am personally grateful for Joseph Smith restoring the original Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.  Not reforming, editing or changing Christ's church, but restoring it with its proper Prophet, apostles, organization and authority.  Looking into the bible you can see the exact organization of Christ's church to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, something that many churchs have changed.  I am the luckiest young man in the world, to have such knowledge and testimony of a church can give eternal happiness.  I have often taken for granted being a member of the Church, when instead I should be thanking my heavenly father for giving me the best life, family, friends and opportunity to tell the world what I know.  I promise anyone that may not know that the LDS church is true to ask God, just as the prophet Alma found his answer "Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.  Behold I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself.  And now I do know of myself they are true..." (Alma 5:46).  Even if you do have a testimony of this gospel, you should be asking for answers every day.   That has had a huge influence in my life.  I stopped asking to know things were true once I had recieved an answer, but as I resumed this same process, my faith in Christ has increased and the validity of the Book of Mormon has become 100% real.  If this gospel is true, we have a living prophet today named Thomas S. Monson.  If this gospel is true we have the authority of God to perform ordinances that are key to salvation.  This gospel changes lives and brings happiness, that is why i serve.

I love you all so much,
Elder Rice

Dear Everyone,

WOW!!! I cant believe i have been here for 4 weeks!!!! That is absolutely insane, I only have 4 more weeks and Im out in the field! I still cant believe it. I dont feel ready yet, I have so much to learn. This just makes me want to work way harder and be way more effective. Its basically the best thing in the world not to worry about anything else except the Lord's work I love it. In one of our devotionals we got listen to Larry Echo Hawk (from the seventy and he talked at conference, and he has the coolest name ever). He taught about how powerful the Book of Mormon is in conversion, then a few days later we had a workshop on the Book of Mormon in conversion. I want everyone to know right now that Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have asked and I have recieved my answer, something I will never deny. It is a book that WILL bring any person that reads it closer to God. I urge anyone that does not know that this book is truly the word of God, to excercise a particle of faith and read. The only way you can know if it is true is by reading it and prayer, and I promise if you are sincere you will know. Knowing the Book of Mormon is true brings about huge implications, for example that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he truly saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is evidence that Joseph Smith is a prophet. This is something that I feel very strongely about, something I can barely contain myself from sharing haha. Good news, Elder Heagney and I committed our first 2 "investigators" to baptism, it was so awesome. The spirit was so strong. I could barely contain myself after Valdemir said "yeah sure". After we got out of the room I jumped on Elder Heagney, we killed it! We work really well as a team. Overall, awesome week!!! The MTC is so fun, i have so much to learn. I'd encourage everyone to write me at the MTC address on the blog or on dearelder.com (hand written letters are better haha), its REALLY nice to get some mail at the end of the day!! This is the Lords work, i am the luckiest kid in the world, cant wait to spread the gospel of jesus christ.

I love you all so much,

Elder Rice

Dear Family and Friends!!!
The weeks just get better and better! Time in the MTC is so weird, we wake up at 6:30 and it feels like 5 minutes later we are getting ready for bed. We constantly busy, studying, working and learning the language, the time just flies. Any time that we are not studying, we are eating, Im building up a winter reserve for Cabo Verde haha. This week was awesome, me and my companion Elder Heagney are rapidly increasing our ability in both the language and the gospel. Elder Heagney is so well versed in the scriptures, and so knowledgable in them that we just work so well together. We have been learning to teach the person, teach by the spirit and make the Atonement our message that is applicable to every investigator (fake investigators, usually our teachers, its so fun!!!). Im learning SO MUCH!!! I can almost teach the first 3 full lessons in Preach My Gospel without any book or notes. There were some missionaries waiting here in Provo MTC to go to Brasil. One looked exactly like Drew Carey it was hilarious, the other one is a monster and he actually wrestled in Washington for Arlington. There is a lot more flirting in the MTC than I thought there would be haha. The guys here go crazy, especially in my district, and it doesnt help that the sister missionaries are getting cuter, its one huge temptation but ive vowed to stay away haha. One of the most awesome things Ive learned is the power of prayer. There are few times that I've prayed so hard for the companionship and aide of the spirit, for answers and for strength. What alot of people don't understand is that prayer is a 2-way communication through God and the person. God hears you, He loves you, and if it His will to answer your questions, undoubtedly he will. He has answered my prayers without fail, I there are things I cannot deny, especially the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon being the word of God. Another thing that ive come to learn is that this mission has nothing to do with me. This mission is not a sacrifice, and i shouldnt feel bad for leaving everything at home and college. This mission is about the people in Cabo Verde that can be happy, truly happy. I have the privelage to be the vessel that carries this magnificent message to the world. I get to use the Holy Spirit to strengthen and fortify my teaching so that "no man can err" from the simple and true message I am going to bring. I love this gospel, I love my Savior that suffered for mistakes and continue to make. His grace for us will always be enough and no one is too far gone, thats what I get to teach, im pumped. I love you all, keep in contact with me, my address is on my blog or you can dearelder.com me at Box # 166, Elder Matthew William Rice!!

Com amor,
Elder Rice

Hey family,

Yeah conference was pretty amazing!  On my first tuesday devotional, Elder Bednar came and talked to us.  He taught us to really pay attention to the words of prophets and also the scriptures.  He said, that we must 1.Identify the doctrine being taught 2. Identify the invitation to us that we must do 3. Recognize the promised blessings after we carry out this invitation.  It was pretty awesome.  Also, an ex-NFL football player for the Eagles, Chad Lewis came and told us about his football and mission experience.  He made me want to work even harder.  Every talk here makes me want to work harder and harder.  My district is awesome.  We get distracted some times and mess around, but I am going to change that.  In the picture we are all pointing to Cabo Verde, that is my district.  The pictures where its me and another guy is my companion Elder Heagney from Australia.  The Book of Mormon is amazing.  After that Im going to read the new Testament.  Its nice to hear from you.  You can write me at dearelder.com  whenever you want throughout the week and it arrives the same day.  Tell Trevor, Jessica, and Daniel to write me on dearelder.com because its much easier for me because I can only read emails once a week, but I can read dearelder every day.  You should also post something on the blog about that!

I love you!

Elder Rice

Dear Family and Friends,

I can't believe I am writing you guys my fist letter after a week at the MTC, this is absolutley crazy!!!!! I miss you all like crazy, but I can assure you I am in the right place! Man, this place is great! My companion for the next 8 weeks will be Elder Heagney (pronounced Hey knee), he is the only Australian that came in this last wednesday! He has the craziest accent ever and I love it!!!! He says things without the pronuniation of r, its really funny. and he calls candy "lollis", and says things like "dodgey" and a bunch of other stuff. I joke around with him but we are really tight with each other only after 6 days! I love this guy so much, I got so lucky getting such a great companion that loves the gospel so much, he has a crazy awesome testimony and know doctrine and can teach great! My district is just awesome, we all clicked and are just becoming great friends, we have alot of fun, but still work really, really hard. The first day of the MTC, we went straight into portuguese class and the teacher only spoke portuguese! I have never learned something so fast in my entire life. My only explanation is the spirit. After 2 days of learning gospel words and such, me and Elder Heagny taught our first lesson to a mock investigator, solely in portuguese. We said a heartfelt prayer before our teaching and then went into the room. I was able to formulate sentences and teach simple and basic principles to "Renato". Learning the language before i came to the MTC helped "heaps" (thats another thing the aussie says haha). I was miles ahead before i even got to the MTC, it says alot of frustration. The branch president made us a challenge to start over in our book of mormon reading and read the book of mormon in 8 weeks. That seems pretty fast, but when you do the math its about 4 chapters a day. I have never been so excited to read the book of mormon in my entire life, I am so pumped!! The Book of Mormon is the word of God, i can tell you that. Its kinda funny how just about every missionary here has a way that they gained their testimony. One thing I've seen is almost everyone here says they didnt know the book of mormon was true, and all they did was ask there father in heaven if it is true and they all recieved answers. I can tell you that I too didnt know and only by asking God did i know that the Book of Mormon was true. I love the Book of Mormon so much, if we would just be willing to listen to its counsel we would be closer to God, understand and become like Christ and have a happier life. I challenge everybody to read the Book of Mormon in 8 weeks, its easy!!! Wow wasn't conference amazing!!! How about President Monson coming out with that missionary statement for girls and guys, never saw that coming! I guess I'll see danny in 4 years, that kinda makes me sad, but he'll be doing great work. I loved David A. Bednars talk about being converted to the Lord. I also really like Jeffery R. Hollands talk about the apostles and Christ and how there is so much work to do. Conference pretty much just got me stoked to serve. I love this gospel, its makes me happy. Cant wait to share it with the world. The food here is so good! Except for I feel 10 pounds heavier after 6 days. I have a dessert with almost every meal i gotta stop haha. I just do push ups, pull ups and sit ups. Im getting out of shape, but thats alright, thats not the point of a mission haha. Chad Lewis, an LDS ex-NFL player for the Eagles came and gave a devotional, it was inspiring and about working hard on our missions and the benefits of a mission. I got to meet him!!!!! We had a second lesson with the fake investigator Renato. We taught him a simplified plan of salvation and doctrine of Christ all in portuguese. We asked him if he'd follow the example of the Savior and be baptized but he said maybe another day, we are gonna get him. Me and Elder Heagny are such effective teachers, we kill it together, im so glad we are companions!! Overall the MTC is absolutely awesome, im learning so much, having a ton of fun and working as hard as I possibly can. I love this church, everyone is so nice here and I cant wait to get out of here and serve in Cabo verde! By the way, i wont be able to write friends by email, so you can either write to the address I have in this message or you can log onto dearelder.com, where all you do is type a letter on the internet and it comes directly to me without writing a letter and you dont have to buy any stamps!!!! All you have to do is look me up with the information i have below. I will write anyone that sends my mom your address. I have no ones address but if you send it to my mom ( who forwards the emails) I will write you. Writing at dearelder.com will be the easiest thing you can do and wont take anytime. I would love to hear from everyone!

Elder Matthew William Rice
MTC Mailbox # 166
CAP-VDP 1204
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Matt's Last Sunday at Home

Our family gathered together this evening to share favorite scriptures with Matt.

Mom: Alma 37:37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morninglet thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Dad: D & C 112:10   Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

Brett: Mor 7:48  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Trevor:  Ether 12:27  And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Daniel:  2 Nephi 4: 34  O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Jessica: Alma 57: 27   Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

Grandma: Alma 5: 14-15  And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption braised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?