For Aaron:
wow, i just saw your pictures and you look amazing and seem to be healing up very well. I dont think you will ever know how proud i am of you. You know me and shelley are your biggest fans. (yes, you will be president oneday) I'm praying for you and your family everyday! I cant wait for you to be back in hattiesburg so i can visit you. I love You!!! your cousin....Lauren.

Aaron,

We pray for your recovery every day. Please let me know if you need anything on the MSU end.

God bless and Semper Fi,
Fred Mock,
Former USMC,
now MSU Staff

Hey Aaron,

Haley said that reading this site was one of your favorite pastimes, and I can say it's very quickly become mine as well. It's amazing that God has enabled you to reach and encourage so many from a stationary hospital bed. Know that you have an active ministry just by waking up every morning and carrying on! Stay strong brother!

And to Kelly, wish there was a website devoted to your faith and strength, it'd be a long, full, and much read one! Continue on in faith, knowing that Aaron is one of many that you encourage.

Waiting for your next heartening update,

Ben Griffith

Aaron, it was so good to see how much you look like your old self in those pictures! Your mind is obviously as strong as ever and your body is simply following suit. I'm praying really hard that you'll get to go see Ryan graduate. As for that wife of yours, all I can say is --

An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.--

I hope you get transferred soon! Take care!!
Lindsay Burrell

Aaron Rice,

You are on my mind! I love you like you are my own son and I am praying for you daily! Kelly & Ryan are also in my prayers, as well as your parents!

I am so glad to her Hailey say that your humor and persistence is not injured! I should be praying for the doctors and nurses! I am so glad that you are keeping such a positive attitude! It does not surprise me--you are a survivor--but I am still proud of you!

I want to come to DC to see you when they get you to Walter Anderson. I also want you to stop worrting about Mississippi State--you are alive--God can handle something as minor as college!
I mailed you a letter today and I sent one through Hailey earlier. Have you gotten it yet? If not I will send it to you via this site. You hang in there and keep in touch. I am making it my job to stimulate your mind while you are there! Start looking for history lessons!

Hey when you get back--I want a few lessons on Iraq! This time you get to be the teacher and me the student--bless my soul! I loved seeing the pictures and I am glad that you are better.

Aaron--you are an inspiration to me!

I love ya,
Kelli Bowles

Aaron,
First of all, I can't tell you how proud I am of you. I have always looked up to you and I always will. I thank the Lord every day that he kept you safe and I also pray that your recovery will keep going well. I love reading up to see how you are doing and seeing your pictures. I can't wait to see you!
Love, Matthew
James 1:12

Kelly and Aaron,
We really enjoyed seeing the pictures of you, especially the smiles. (Thank you Haley for posting them.) The pictures are a testimony in themselves as to God's healing powers. We miss you very much and look forward to hearing the words " we are coming home". The Jackson side of the family sends their love and continued prayers. Let us know if we can do anything !!!
Memaw and YaYa are not internet savvy yet, so we are keeping them posted by telephone everytime a new update is posted.(Again, thank you Haley !!!) Aaron, let your buddy from Starkville know that he is also on our prayer list for his continued recovery and we look forward to meeting him when you and Kelly return to Starkvegas. Love from all of us !!

Dear Aaron,
Joe, Abbie, Lauren and myself are praying for you daily and hope you heal quickly. My 5th grade kids at PCS are working hard on some letters and special artwork for their HERO. You have a BIG fan club. They saw the pictures today on the the website and the girls thought you were sooooooo cute---Kelly better be good, she's got competition! May the Lord continue to bless you and give you peace during this time. You are much loved and appreciated!

Aaron and Kelly,
You don't know me but I feel like I know both of you. I work with Joanne at PKH and hear about the 2 of you all the time... PLUS, my daughter is Amanda Goodwin from MSU and she has been telling me sweet things about the two of you before I even connected you two with Joanne! Small world. I'm so thankful you are doing so well. Amanda called me to tell me about the accident. She was so upset and so concerned for both of you. I then confirmed it with Joanne at work the next day. From what I've heard about the two of you - God has always blessed you - immensely... and I KNOW HE WILL CONTINUE TO HEAL YOU AND BLESS YOU! I will continue to pray for you both and hope to see and meet you both soon. By the way.... I saw the video of the wedding as soon as Joanne received it. She brought it to work and we watched it (with tears!) it was so sweet and beautiful! The love the two of you have for each other radiates all around you. I know you can't wait to get back to Starkville and enjoy like together again. God bless you both!

hello Aaron and Kelly and rest of the Rice Family! I am so excited to see the progress you are making! You all are in my prayers let me know of anything that I can do here for you all! Rebecca (Ssgt Watkins Wife)

Aaron,

I am Jennifer's dad, I have only had the privilege of shaking your hand at you and Kelly's wedding in Novemeber. I mailed you a short note yesterday, but will mostly repeat here in this forum which I have just discovered. I read your's and Kelly's letter on this website and both were truly an inspiration. Your faith in God, love of family and friends is remarkable and speaks well of your character. I look forward to hearing of your future in politics and only wish you and your beautiful wife, Kelly, the very best.
We enjoyed having Kelly stay with us overnight in February and would welcome you two to our home anytime. Being an eye doctor it is good to hear your injured eye is doing well, request an ophthamology exam if you have not seen one already. Our church is praying for you and Kelly, the website is www.firstbaptistnewalbany.com , God Bless, Terry Joslin

Hey Aaron,

First off, I have to say that when I first found out what had happened to you, it kind of frightened me knowing that I will be joining the Marines in July. After quickly remembering the reasons that I'm joining the Marines is to protect the freedom and liberties of our families and friends along side courageous men and women as yourself, my fear quickly left again. I've prayed over and over asking God is this the will for my life and he has always answered yes in strange ways. Therefore I have no fear of the events which lie ahead of me. Especially after seeing him work in your life and protect you even in the worst possible times. You are such an inspiration to me and so many other people. Can't wait till you get home so you can give me some pointers for boot camp. Keeping praying to God for his will to be done in your life and he will carry you further that you could imagine.Jennifer and I have been praying for you and kelly and will continue to until you arrive safely in Starkville. I also have two buddies from my high school, whom are both marines, that are praying for you too. See you soon.

Semper Fi,

Jaysen Hogue

aaron, it was great to see you and hear from you. we are all so proud of you.

Hey Aaron,
Gosh!! Where do I begin? The morning Kelly called me to let me know what had happened was a day I will never forget. Although my heart was heavy for the loss of your leg, I was rejoicing and praising God for keeping you safe and bringing you home to one of my best friends. Kelly's strength that day would have amazed you! She never doubted God's will and purpose. She never ceased to praise Him. Kelly also never doubted your strength physically. She said, "Aaron can handle anything." (and you have proved that). She just wanted to be with you so bad, she couldn't stand it. As my dad prayed with her, I was filled with emotion...joy...praise...and thanksgiving. God is so good!! How can anyone miss that? You are LIVING proof! I admire your courage and your faith. Your attitude has made such an impact on so many people as I read the comments posted. God is already working...and has been since the day we all found out. He is placing people in your path daily, and He is using you to further His Kingdom. What an amazing honor!! I am so so proud of you for all that you have done and continue to do. You never cease to amaze me. My only request is that you GET YOUR BUTT BACK HOME. I want to put my arms around you so that I know you are safe. I also want you to bring my roommate back (even though she's YOUR roommate now). I guess I'll give her up...it's the least I can do. Really, I miss you both and it's just not the same without ya'll. I love you both so much, and I pray that Russ and I can have a positive influence on others in our marriage as you two have. What a perfect picture of God's love!!! You are both two of the most important people in my life, and I love you more than you know. Hurry home!! And if you feel like it, I would be more than honored to see you both in Corinth on June 4.
Love in Christ,
Megan

OMG! MY NAME IS LINDSAY BURRELL TOO!!!