My husband and i started our business 13 years ago using a $5.00 bicycle he bought me from a local Goodwill store. He would not allow me to drive his car, for it came with a special formula that only worked for him........
He'd have to pray for a designated amount of minutes, pound on the steering column for a few measured seconds, perform seven & 1/2 "Fred Flintstone-open-door-foot-action strokes", and finally the car would remember it was supposed to function and take off! It only responded to him! Everyone would know when we were arriving from hearing the distinctive piercing squeal originating from something defective in the under body. Of course all would know if the Rice's had been there from the red stained transmission fluid in evidence left behind on driveways and parking lots due to multiple leaks!
My son, (a teen at the time) and i would have to push the car as Tony steered whenever we had to get out of tight spots, for the car would not go in reverse. At night, we had to sneakily creep down side streets to avoid discovery of driving without lights! Turning them on caused the alternator to malfunction!
I needed to get around to tend to the business God led us in. Loaded with cleaning goods in a bag i'd, hang them over the handlebars of the bike and head a few miles away to clean houses. On days that it rained, i learned to maneuver with one hand holding to steer and the other holding the umbrella. I was laughed to scorn, but didn't know how funny i appeared to others.... They said i looked like Mary Poppins!
Because we refused to live above our income means, we had to do without materialistic things common to people we associated with, but though times were tough for us, we stuck it out. I remembered the days when i would open the refrigerator door wishing there was something appetizingly succulent in it that would quench my hankering taste buds.
We had "Potato Days" back then.... A 10 pound bag of potatoes from Aldi's was only 99 cents and had become our daily diet for a whole year! The creative side of me kicked in to manifest great potato feasts! Potato soup, potato casserole, potato salad, fried potato, boiled potato, baked potato, potato pancake, potato pie, creamed potato, tossed potato, potato Au gratin, potato sandwich, mashed potato, hot potato, stuffed potato, potato pudding, hash brown potato, etc. you get the picture?
The business began to grow! Our landlord gave us an opportunity to clean and paint his units, and later manage them, and we have continued on to make a name for ourselves. Of all the professions my husband could choose, he elected to clean carpeting and paint homes for he enjoys converting the worst of living quarters into miraculously restored places of habitation! I am so very much proud of him!
We will not forget our humble beginnings. My "Husbo" Anthony Rice, who clearly hears and obeys the voice of God, has been tried and tested and has prevailed with a commendable level of excellence in his field. He has retained the customer base he acquired from the beginning and has added to it! He is known for preserving carpets that ordinarily would have to be replaced, and he paints with such superior performance that he has no need for a drop cloth. His customers rave over his work and jealously guard him, not willing to share him too readily. His desire is to be a blessing to others as God has blessed him!
It gives me great pleasure to present..... Rice & Rice Painting & Carpet Cleaning - servicing South Suburban Illinois, & Northwest Indiana communities. The "Pillar" of Rice Property Management & Realty!
Happy 13 Year Anniversary Darling!
To GOD Be All The Glory For The Things HE Alone Has Done
Diane,
Humble beginnings!!! You've come a long way and ought to be proud of your God blessed successes...!!! Congratulations...!!! Thanks, Fran
Hi Diane, you and hubby are doing great and I loved your story. Happy 13th!!!
Great post!!! INSPIRINT!!!...Thank you for sharing and letting us know your story!!!
May the Lord continue to Bless You Diane, i am moving this one to the top of the page
What a great post! Congrats! I really loved the routine to get the car started- my husband's Jeep is almost that bad. I refuse to drive it if he's out of town so I can't call him for help.
We started our office on about a half a shoestring, so I DO know what it is like. We are coming up on 6 years on our own, and are prospering, too. I'm glad your business is doing well. Following God is by far the best way to go.
Happy anniversary to you!! I remember it all. The Lord has been faithful.
I love you both -
Your sister
Fran: Thank You! We are ever so aware of our start.
Gary: Thank you for the well wishes - we are encouraged!
Wallace: Thank you for reading it and taking the time to repond!
Hugh: I am humbled by your blessings toward us - thank you!
WE CONGRATULATE YOU AND TONY FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MARRIAGE AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS.
WE WISH YOU WELL AND LOVE YOU MUCH.
YOUR PARENTS.
What a truly amazing story! I always tell myself to put my trust in God and He will provide and your story proves just that!
Congratulations and I wish you success for many more years to come!
Diane those early tests were blessings, because now you can appreciate what you have and who you really need to count on.
Leslie: I so appreciate you reading and identifying where we came from. Maybe it's why we bond like we do, because of our similarities. Thank you.
Lisa: Hi my beautiful sister, the Lord IS faithful and we love YOU too!
HI MA & DADDY!!!! Thank you!!!!
Michelle!! Thank you for reading and commenting!
George: At the time, we knew God had placed us together, but when He said to start the business, we said, W H A T????? But we received grace to operate in a smooth flow and God's favor was upon us. Later, when i was instructed to go to Real Estate school, i went kicking and screaming all the way! HE of course, has been faithful, and we of course delight in pleasing HIM.
Whooo Hoooo, wow, and Happy Anniversary....I hope you both have many more ahead of you. You sure brought some of my own memories back to me. I won't go there...not today anyhow....LOL
Great post, I love it, take care and be good to yourselves.
May God bless you and your hubby with many more years of bountiful business and happy healthy anniversary! ditto on what you said
To GOD Be All The Glory For The Things HE Alone Has Done
Sincerely,
Grace
Congrats on the anniversary and I wish you continued blessings!
Bob: Thank you! Rings bells for you too? We all had to start somewhere... thanks for stopping in to wish us well!
Jeff and Grace: Appreciate you sending additional blessings this way... so does Tony!
AVA???? I had to blink and blink again! It feels so great to SEE YOU!! Thank you for this surprise pop in by you and for the warm thoughts sent this way!
Diane Congratulations on your thirteen wedding anniversary . Going through these experiences together help you to grow closer and stronger as a couple.-
Diane,
What a great story of strengh and persevering!!!
I think God has truly given you the gift of writting and telling stories. I so enjoyed reading it and thank you for posting it.
Your husband has been a good and faithful stewart of what God has given him...and God continues to bless him.
Happy 13th Anniversary!!!
Diane - Amazing story! Happy Anniversary! May God continue to bless and prosper you!
Jennifer: Thank you! We are truly a team. It is the 13Th year anniversary of our business, and our wedding anniversary which is on the same day is 15 years.
Linda: It sincerely blessed me reading your comment and i am humbled by it. Thank you for every inspirational word written toward our way - may blessings abound toward you also!
Maria: Thank you for your kind well meaning blessings!
Diane,
I wanted to thank you for signing up to be an associate of mine. I am truly humbled and blessed to associate with such an awesome sister in the Lord.
May our good Lord continue to richly bless you and your husband with an abundence of love, joy and peace that over flows and showers you with His presence!!!
Linda, all i can say is i sure hope God graces me with enough of His anointing that covers me so you will never become offended or disappointed when/if i behave in a way that diminishes the way you have me depicted! You are precious, and i will cherish the words you have spoken from your spirit, and am grateful to receive the blessings sent our way!
Diane,
You are truly a blessing...and what kind words you have spoken. God brings His people together to show His light as you have shown me.
I know that it is never against flesh and blood...and we are of one blood in Christ. Have no fear for I have no expectation of you...only the love of the Lord. You will not disappoint me...for I am just a humble servant of the Lord who has been blessed by your words and your spirit.
Praise Him for He is worthy to be Praised!!!
GOOD MORNING DIANE! (I just love it that your parents wrote a comment!) This story reminds me of my parents but instead of potatoes we had rice days. But no matter how much they worked, every Sunday, we would put on the clothes my mom sewed for us and go to church. She always said that if we ever lost the roof over our heads, we had one in Jesus' home. Your story reminds me that belief and faith can get one through many challenges in life! Happy Anniversary and much more success to you and Anthony! -- Gabrielle
Linda: amen
Gabrielle: Thank you for your well wishes and a glimpse into where your values originated. No wonder your blogs are filled to capacity with positivity!
Congrats Diane and Tony...think I remeber having some of those taters...
Nytra
Congrats! I had humble beginnings as a child and have learned from it. They make you appreciate everything more. Lucky me, I love potatoes anyway. : ) Congrats again.
NYTRA!!! Hey hey! We still eat 'em. Only now we don't have to purchase exclusively from Aldi's! Thank for the congrats!
Wendy: Thank you! As you said, there is much to learn from a beginning that is humble. Appreciate your comment!
Diane,
what a nice tribute and what a fantastic ride. I love it! Here's to the next luck 13!
That is a beautiful story. Congratulations on your success.
Vanessa Being in business 13 Years is a BLESSING set-up by God..... we are so honored. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Tony & Libby: Thank you for your congratulations.... i'm sure YOU have a few amazing stories yourself!
Diane, I missed this when you wrote it but congrats on your 13 year anniversary. The comments from your parents and sister are just too cool. I can tell you have a close family. I have been blessed with a family like that also and it is a blessing!!!
Hi Marchel: Thank you for the congrats. My family is very proud of us, and they continually share stories of our success with others. We are grateful to have them, they are precious.
Diane, Congrats my friend! Wow you and your husband are true examples of what a great life you can have when you come from humble beginnings. I have also experienced very simple ways of living at different stages of my life and so I can appreciate all that came from hard work and faith much like you. Diane every part of this post is inspirational and I absolutely loved that your parents stopped by to comment as well. You continue to inspire me with your words and experience and I thank you - God Bless You! ~Anne Marie
Anne Marie: Your expressions to this post mean more to me than you know! It's further evidence that the heart responds to the Spirit of God, whomever and however He speaks. Thank you for your acknowledgement, support, love, and blessing sent my way! You are a treasured sister and i am rewarded by knowing your acquaintance!
Dear Diane,
O, my God! I am just reading this today and was so excited I could not finish all of the posts for wanting to respond, then I'll return later to finish the reading. The pictures are gorgeous and the writing the start of an autobiography--keep writing! Now for the encouragement: Phillip and I right now seem to be at ROCK bottom (notice capital ROCK--Jesus Christ), but at the feet of Jesus (your own past humility) is where He lifts us! I await, inspired by your testimony of faith in Jesus, that moment of total deliverance from the bondage of debt, debt, and more debt and what God will do through Phillip's unemployment. I applaud you and "Rice" and the multi-faceted business that the Lord has given to your stewardship. Love, your sister, JoAndrea in New Castle, Alabama.
Jo, truly we are blessed by your comment.... calling you to tell you the rest....