Happy Easter, everyone. Christ is risen!
Sorry to be slow about updating. I have unplugged myself a bit for the first time today to go to church and have Easter dinner with friends. But I've just talked to Aaron, and there is a lot of good news to report.
First off, Aaron was able to talk to Ryan today and tell him about the attack and about his leg. It sounds like Ryan is doing well. He was, understandably, very fearful when his drill instructor told him he needed to call his family. I think it's fair to say that when a loved one is at war or otherwise in harm's way, in the back of your mind, you are always afraid that someone is going to call and tell you that the worst has occurred, and you've probably even imagined how it would happen. Ryan told Mom today he had always thought that he would know something bad had happened if he was called into his drill instructor's office and told to call his family. I hate that he had to have that moment of agony, but his drill instructor did tell him immediately that Aaron is alive, and he was soon able to be on the phone with Aaron. Aaron said that they talked for almost two hours, and by the time Ryan got off the phone, it sounds like he was confident of what we all know: that Aaron is still himself, and he will be fine. Aaron and Ryan have a very close relationship, and if it's possible, I think they are even more proud to be brothers now. We thank God for the fact that Aaron was able to tell Ryan the news himself and that Ryan is handling it very well. Thank you for your prayers about this matter. It is a great load off of all our minds to have that resolved. Continue to pray that Ryan would be encouraged in spite of the fact that he has had this bad news while he is so far away from family and friends and in such a tough environment. Previously, we had requested that people not contact Ryan for the time being so that he would be free to finish the Crucible and also talk to Aaron in person. Now, he is to be congratulated on finishing the Crucible and being a Marine, so we rescind that request and say that if you want to send Ryan some mail, you just go right on ahead. Here is his address:

Rct. Rice Charles Ryan
PLT 1028 1st BN B CO
Box 11028
Parris Island, SC
29905-1028

As an update on the other Rice siblings, Hannah and Audrey left today to go back home after what sounds like a really good visit with Aaron. Aaron said he thought that once they were able to sit and talk with him and joke and laugh like we are prone to do as a family, they felt better. Dad is also back home for the time being. I hope to go for a visit soon, but there are some details to be resolved before I pick my dates. It will be good to visit, but I think the best day we can all picture right now will come when we can all be back home together around our family's table and eat one of Dad's fantastic meals. I know that's what I see in my better dreams.
As a closing note, now that Aaron has spoken with Ryan, he really wants to hear from the Marines of 214 Echo Battery and MAP-7. If anyone reading this knows how to contact them, please get in touch with me at haley@wachdorf.com and we'll talk.
Again, I apologize for the breaks in updates. More tomorrow. We love you all so much.