Lessons With Corn Juice and Flys

Hello Family,

I'm glad my car sold! That's good to know! I'm glad it's sold and we got a good price out of it. It's sad that it's sold though haha, I loved that car! 

Dad thank you for those answers to the scriptures! I love learning new things about the gospel. There's so many things I wish I would've known earlier! I love it!! And I love what you said about father and son, thank you so much! I've always looked up to you and can only hope one day I can be half of the amazing man you are. 

Okay about this week! So the beginning of this week me and Elder Lee were teaching our investigator, Austin. We were teaching him about la palabra de sabiduría (The Word of Wisdom) and Elder Lee was supposed to share a scripture. Instead of doing Alma 38:5 (And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day), he accidently shared Alma 37:5 (And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.) Hahaha, it made no sense whatsoever and Austin started cracking up. He couldn't stop laughing. Me and Elder Lee knew we screwed up but didn't care and went on with the lesson. When we came back and read that verse, I was on the floor crying laughing because of how funny it was! Haha oh well you live and you learn. 

On the 26th I had an interesting day, it started off in the lunch room.. backstory real quick.. we have this nasty purple corn juice. It's called jugo de chicha. I had not yet learned this. I misunderstood when I heard what it was called.... okay anyway, so my maestra, Hermana Mujica, (my teacher, Sister Mujica) was drinking it and I noticed this from across the room, so I said to her as I walked over there, "Hermana Mujica! Le gusta el chichi jugo?!" which translates.. " Do you like the boob juice?!" Hahaha yeahhh, they busted up laughing and clarified that it is called "jugo de chichA..", not chichi. Haha well, I learned that if you don't know for sure how to say something, don't repeat it until you know! Oops.. So if you think that was the most interesting part of the day, you're wrong. So right after that we had personal study. I sit right next to the window. We noticed that some savage fly was doing what it does, bugging people, flying around the room. We decided whoever killed the fly won. You guys know me, I'm pretty competitive. I didn't care what I won, I just wanted to win. So I was determined to kill the fly! It landed on the window and I figured I would give it a little wap and kill the little bugger.... Yep, all the working out I've been doing has sure paid off.... Haha I may or may not have shattered the window!                                                                 

                                                                              

Yep, that's the window I broke.

Me and the broken window - Oops!

Hahaha it was a total accident and luckily we have a super cool and nice presedente (President) who told me not to even worry about it. He was just glad I didn't get hurt! I only got a small cut on my hand and everyone was alright. Lesson from this story: The windows in Perú aren't very strong windows. Anyway, after that our maestros (teachers) told us that we were their favorite class and the favorite class they've ever had!

On a more spiritual note, that night I was telling the trio, Elder Simonsen, Elder Greer, and Elder Olsen about my brother. I told them the scripture in D&C 31:2 and wanted to share it with them. When I did, man, I hit a spiritual wall! I started crying and just knew that one day Chad will come back. I'm excited for that day! 

                                                                            

Me, Elder Simonsen and Elder Greer

Saturday was a great day!! The day I forgot to tell you was coming! We got to go proseliting in the streets of Perú! We went to the Lima South mission and got paired with a trainer from that mission. It was just me and a Latino. I was hoping I wasn't going to get a Latino but now I want one for my trainer! He was such a great guy and when we first got out, he kept making me practice on him. He didn't know any English so it was fun to talk to him! He kept stopping people on the streets and giving them pass-along-cards, then I would kind of share my testimony. We got up into the mountain area and I was immediately humbled. It was devastating to see these people's conditions. I never got into a house but I know there wasn't much inside. I prayed and prayed and prayed on the way back for them! Anyway, when we were walking up the mountain, about the third person we were about to stop, my companion said, "you teach", so I taught someone in the best Spanish I have ever spoken! I know that the gift of tongues is so real! I never knew I knew that much and it all just flowed out. I didn't even have to think too much about what I was saying, it just came out. I felt so awesome. We traded off stoping people and sharing our message. On the way back down, I was determined to give away my Libro de Mormón! (Book of Mormon) We came up on our last guy and I asked him if we could come visit him sometime and share a message with him, he then said yes and my companion wrote down his address. I shared my testimony with him and right as he was walking away I stopped him and told him about the Libro de Mormon. He seemed excited and I asked him to read as much as he could before we came to teach him. I was so happy and was only one of 3 people to place my Book of Mormon. There were about 30 or so of us so that was a huge accomplishment for me! I really hope he reads it and I wish I could know what happens from it. 

Sunday was a great day! Elder Simonsen shoved 2 full Sublime´s (Ice cream bars) in his mouth, one at a time, but it was still pretty epic, haha I love him! He's my favorite! It's too bad he's going to Arequipa! He also jumped the fountain without thought, which is about 17 feet hahaha (Elder Simonsen is a pretty amazing Track athlete.) 

                                                                            

My boy, Elder Simonsen, fitting his whole fist in his mouth. This was after he put 2 whole ice cream bars in his mouth. 

Elder Simonsen and his huge mouth - Love that elder.

Later on Sunday we heard an amazing devotional talk from Elder David A. Bednar which was on Christ-like attributes. He talks about how Christ turns out when we would normally turn in, and we need to strive to be like that. The mission is not about us. No one cares about your unsuccessful day or bad day. He said quit worrying about yourself and go to work. Quit being the Cookie Monster and saying, "I want now, look at me." Quit turning the attention toward you and start focusing on others. It was really blunt and straight foward and it opened my eyes! He said, "If you don't think you can do something, you are right. but if you lean on the Lord, He will strengthen you and you will be able to do it. Have faith and rely completely on the Lord and He will bless you and strengthen you!" It was an amazing talk. 

In our lesson with "Alexandrias" on Monday, I had another amazing spiritual moment! We were teaching her la restauracion (the restoration) and when I got to telling about Joseph Smith's first vision, about halfway through I busted out in tears.... Gosh I'm such a baby! It's actually an amazing gift and I'm thankful for you, Dad, for giving me that amazing gift of feeling the Spirit. I may have not known what was coming out of my mouth but that didn't matter because the Spirit was testifying to me that it was definitely true! It was amazing!! 

I hope everything is going well! I love you all!! I love the gospel. Read your scriptures boys and girls! 

Love your boy,

Elder Roko

                                                                                 

A cute selfie for everyone, with my favorite Latinos and Elder Simonsen, who looks like a Latino.

This is an average breakfast. It's small but still really good. All Peruvian food is good. 

Average daily lunch. The thing in the top right is nasty. I just got it for the picture. 

This is an average dinner each day. Just missing the ice cream bars that are amazing. All the ice cream is better here! This is actually one of the lesser dinners and we usually don't have chicken con arroz cada dia. (Chicken with rice every day.)

Days Are Blending Together

I've had a great week and all the days are just blending together. I felt like I just wrote you guys yesterday!

I'm still kind of struggling with my companion. We have good moments and I'm just trying to be more patient. I know that's why the Lord put me with him. But I'll eventually get over it and everything will be alright, whether it's before or after 3 weeks end haha.

On our last p-day on the way to the temple, I watched my first drug deal go down which was cool haha. Then after the temple, which is usually my favorite part of the week, me and Elder Simonsen went across the street and got some super sweet llama ties. I was only going to buy maybe one or 2... lol yeah I spent like 97 soles (about $29.00) on 7 or 8 ties but it was so worth it! I gave one to Cam and I got one for Dad too, so I'll send that when I'm in the field and try to get it to you around your birthday or Christmas! Also me and Elder Simonsen ,who is my favorite elder here and is in our district, (he's the one going to Arequipa), felt like the coolest guys ever and were thinking how cool it's going to be walking around preaching the gospel! We were having the time of our lives.

When we walked over to try to find the tie shop there was a guy just sitting there outside an alley and was like"corbatas? aqui" (Ties? Here.) and even though it was some creepy alley, we didn't care, we figured I could fight off anyone trying to kill us. Luckily he was for real and we found the sweet ties haha. Then when we came back we had our first street vendor food and we just hoped and prayed it was safe. It was amazing! I should've taken a picture of it, but I didn't.

I got my first baptism, I mean all the investigators we practice on say yes, but it was my first and he told us it was the best lesson he's ever heard. I prepared the whole thing too which made me really happy! The next day our lesson didn't go so well though. I planned the whole lesson, and yes, you can see a pattern now, it usually happens that I'm the one who plans the whole thing. My companion said he needed to go to the bathroom 5 minutes before our lesson started and so I told him to hurry but he took 20 minutes so we had 5 minutes to give the lesson and I just let him talk and take the heat for it. Then I bore my testimony at the end.. yeah I wasn't happy. But I got over it.

On Sunday during Sacrament meeting, the avenzados (missionaries who have been there longer) sang the Army of Helaman and it was amazing! It was in English and it was so powerful. I realized that I am now "the army" and it was really cool! I teared up and also I teared up because I knew all those avenzados were leaving and we wouldn't be principiantes (the beginners/inexperienced ones) anymore. It was sad because I was really close with all of them. Also on Sunday I loved Hermana Moore's lesson on the plan of salvation! It was so good and it really made me realize how I need to study. It's not just reading something, it's actually looking at all the scriptures. It was really cool and probably the best lesson I've ever heard.

On the 18th which was Tuesday devotional day, Elder Clayton from the 70 came with his wife and they gave talks. They were in Spanish so I may have dozed off in part of Elder Clayton's talk by accident. I promise I was trying hard to stay awake but I couldn't. But for his wife's talk, I really liked hers! She talked about D&C 31:2. It really gave me hope for Chad. It says: "Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; neverless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church." It's amazing and I just loved hearing what she had to say about it! It really brought me peace. She said because of my work that one day they will come back and love my example.

On Monday night Cam, Elder Bumstead, and Elder Parker all read their funny journal entries from the CCM to me and Elder Simonsen haha it was great! Cam and I have had some good times here! He's a great kid and I love him. We had a really good moment before he left. We hugged and all that good stuff then he just looked at me and said, "Don't quit man. If you ever need help or times get hard, just hit your knees bro." Then he wrote me this quote from Elder Holland. It's ´Don't you give up, don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come." I love that quote so much. It helps a ton! I wrote it in the front of my journal. It was weird saying I wouldn't see him for 2 years! The next day felt empty without all those guys and it was weird! We met some new Latinos that night though who came in and they're cool but don't know as much ingles (English) as the last ones did. Our new roommates are cool. Our old ones were in the 3 week program, at least 2 of the 6 I mean. I didn't even hear the the new ones come in, which was nice because they came in at 3 a.m. haha but there's a lot of really cool guys here and a few wrestlers! It's cool getting to know all these new guys! Anyway I'm having a great time here!

I have to tell you this story real quick - There's this really cool, funny janitor here, we call him Elder Janitor. He was talking to us on Monday night and he always jokes with us and calls us maripositas which means little butterfly, but basically is a joking way of calling someone "femmy" haha. So anyway, he looked at me when we were joking with him and went, "Shrek, principe", then whatever the name for "charming" in Spanish was. We were all confused so he looked up "prince charming" and showed us a picture, then pointed at me. He then asked how to say it in english. We told him. He busted up then said, pointing at me, "prince mariposita" then busted up laughing while he walked away hahaha. It made my day. We love that guy! Anyway I have to go, I love you all! I do miss you haha, but I'm not home sick yet.

Elder Rokovitz

P.S. I also got my first hair cut and I look like a Marine haha. It's bad. They mistook us for the "Army" and not the "Lord's army" haha.

                                                                             

Me and Elder Olsen (behind me) on the way back from the temple.

Me with all of my roommates.

Some of my favorite elders - Elder Simonsen, me, Elder Bates, Elder Bumstead and Elder Parker

Saying goodbye to Cam (Elder Bates) before he heads off to the Lima West mission.

Elder Bates, Elder Rokovitz and Elder Parker

Some of my favorite Latinos that I have to say goodbye to - 

*Elder Revoredo - He's super cool and funny

*Elder Ramirez - He never stops telling my how "swole" I am

*Elder Torres - He is my absolute favorite Latino

*Elder Carillo (Chancho) - He always makes wrestling signs and says "lucha" (fight)

 

Ten Times Better

Whooo this week has been 10 times better than last week! The week flew by and I only had one really hard day, but after that I bounced back and had an amazing week. 

To answer your questions, yes Cam's Spanish is amazing, yes I'm super jealous of his Spanish haha. He probably speaks some of the best Spanish here. It's mostly because of his brothers and the Spanish speaking missions they served... not fair. 

When I call the CCM a prison, it's just a joke. We just kind of joke about it because there are so many similarities but only 2 diferences. I don't really mean it. Don't worry, I love it here but I do love getting out of here too! 

                                                                                

The similarities between the CCM and a carcel (jail) and then the differences.

Okay so last p-day was amazing. Me and Elder Lee finally got to open up and we talked a lot when we were waiting for our laundry. Yes, we have our differences but it's good just to laugh and not care. 

We FINALLY got out of the CCM and it was so great! We went to the temple and it's really pretty. It's a small temple but it was great. They did the session in English but a certain part in Spanish. It was so fun to do! I bought a mini Spanish hymn book at the distribution center and it's so cool. 

                                                                                 

Outside of the CCM. The CCM is the white-ish building. It's all behind the block wall. 

The beautiful Lima Peru temple

On Thursday I had a hard morning and just was frusrated because I felt like I don't know much gospel etc. but I just needed to trust in myself and focus on my faith and pray and it would come. Johan (our fake investigator) died too today which was sad because we just commited him to baptism. 

On Friday it got hard. This was my worst day and I broke completely. I would question the stories in the scriptures and would think "what if they're just stories.." but that was dumb of me and was just Satan working on me. I was super quiet the whole day (after P.E. time) and was just bugged and was mad that I had to tell Elder Lee that I had to go places and he had to follow me everywhere and the language was hard and I was just holding back tears the whole time. It was bad...  but when we went up to our room that night the people in my District noticed I wasn't myself and told Cam. So Cam came and got me and he asked me what was up. I broke. I started crying and saying how hard everything was. He told me that it's toatlly normal and that it's just Satan working on me. Satan knows what I'm about to do and wouldn't be doing this if he didn't think I would go do amazing things. Cam told me that the first convert on my mission is me and to focus on my testimony first and the language will come. He shared with me 2 Nephi 2:11, which talks about opposition in all things, and told me if I'm having a bad day now, that my good days will be twice as good. He also shared with me D&C 31 and it was PERFECT. Just everything in there hit what I had been doubting and needing, especially verse 13!

Everyone was just good to me that night and all my friends came and said goodnight and they loved me and it would be okay. It was really good! The next day was amazing! I just decided I would bounce back and that I wouldn't have a day like that again.

Me and Elder Rottweiler (perro grande - Big dog) had our breakdowns Friday together and everyone else had theirs Saturday haha, but it was good because I was able to help them, especially our District Leader, Elder Olsen. I was able to give him the same advice Cam gave me and it really helped him. The rest of the day was good after that and we all had a super good day leading into Sunday and then had a super spiritual Sunday. It was amazing.

Monday we finally got outside of the walls for real haha. We went to interpol at 5:15 in the morning which wasn't fun, it being so early, but was still good to get out! (Mom: The only thing I can find on "Interpol" is that it's an Internationl police type thing. I'm guessing it has to do with things or with their visas that the missionaries need to do to be in the country.) 

There was a guy from Venezuela there who was 20 years old and he started talking to me and luckily he spoke some English. He started telling me why he was here then told me about the pretty girls from Venezuela. I had to laugh and tell him why I was here. He thought that was cool and we talked more about other things! Eventually I got up the courage to get a pass - along - card from the hermanas (sister missionaries) and give it to him. It was my first time giving out one of those cards and I loved it. It was a picture of Jesus when he was resurrected. The guy was so happy! I told him if he wanted to know more about me and why I'm here to go to mormon.org on the back of the card and he could get a free CD too. I bore him my testimony and he was so grateful! When he left, he gave all the missionaries a hand shake but when he got to me, he gave me like a bro hug and told me muchas gracias. It was a great feeling and I'm glad I acted on it! 

I've realized I'm not that good at soccer and that all the Latinos are amazing. Oh and the ice cream here is amazing! I work out everynight because I'm terified of getting fat from it! And the candy is also amazing. Oh and I don't remember if I told you guys but the Inka Kola here isn't that good. It's because it's 0 calories and the one outside the walls is a lot better! (Inka Kola is a drink common in Peru.) 

I also started D&C from the begining and I'm loving it. I'm in section 13 now and it's so great! My favorite is D&C 8 versiculo (verse)10, the part where it says without faith you can do nothing, therefore ask in faith. It really helped me and will help me in the future! Oh and Dad I was reading Mosiah 4 the other day and just thought about you! It's an amazing chapter, especially 16 mediante (through) 30. 

Anyway I love you all! Still not missing you yet.... Put Philippians 4:13 at the end of my email, thanks! I love reading the scriptures and wish I wouldv'e figured that out earlier.

Elder Rokovitz

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

                                                                                

Me and Cammy (Elder Bates) traded ties. We are also doing our mission signs. Cam = Lima West, Cory = Trujillo South.

Hard Times and Great Experiences

MI FAMILIA!! 

This week was really good. There were a lot of hard times but also a lot of great experiences and fun times. We landed in Peru at about midnight and bussed to the CCM (MTC) which was pretty sketchy because everyone here isn't good at driving and the bus driver cut like 6 people off on our 15 minute ride here haha. I had made good friends on the plane and was hoping I would get them as a companion but I got someone I didn’t expect and at first I was almost disappointed but I knew that I needed to stop being selfish and just give my best effort at loving him and adapting to him. Anyway, we didn’t get into bed until around 3 a.m. which was hard on us, but was good when I heard all the elders yelling Buenos dias!! to everyone. Then I heard Cam yell, “Where's Cory… I mean Elder Rokovitz?!" Even though he and I had a bit of problems before I left, we didn’t care and just hugged and were so glad to see each other here! It has been really nice to see him here and have him here. My companion's name is Elder Lee. He is from California, a little town, I want to say it's by Modesto, but I'm not positive. He's really nice and knows scriptures really well, which really helps for our lecciones (lessons). He's really quiet and that’s really hard because I'm definitely not. Also he seems to like to take his time with everything and we are usually last to everything which is annoying, but I'm trying to give him little hints at being quicker and earlier to things. I'm trying to adapt to him and love him. I pray for him every day and pray to figure him out better and it seems to be getting a little better each day which is really good. 

I still haven’t missed you guys and don’t know if I will for a bit, haha sorry. I guess I'm just used to being away from home. There are 11 elders and 2 hermanas (sisters) in our district. One of them is a trio, that’s why it's an odd number. Most of them are from Utah but I'm not really positive haha, but I love my district. They're all really cool and funny. We all have a great time and we've had some really good spiritual experiences with each other too. We seem to have been friends for forever even though we've only known each other a few days haha, but it's really cool. 

The food is half the time good and the other half it's so nasty and I'm almost already sick of chicken and rice haha. There are tons of really good juices here and some really good things that I don’t even know what they are. The corn juice is the nastiest thing ever and so are the olives… I almost threw up… The corn juice is straight purple and tastes like straight puke but other than that it's pretty dang good! 

On the first morning we went in to meet the President and do all our passport stuff etc. He is really nice and his wife is really friendly too. I love them! He could already tell I wrestled before I told him haha. They're really great though. 

The first day was pretty good. It didn’t hit me yet that the language is hard because they were talking in English.. but my typical day starts off with a shower that is either super hot or super cold, you don’t really get to pick the temperature here, it just sort of is good for a minute then it decides to let Satan lick your back with hot water, then go right back to the Antartic. It's pretty dificil (difficult) but I'll get used to it. Breakfast here is really small so you just eat everything they put out, it's not all-you-can-eat. Then we just have studying and classes etc. Our maestra (female teacher) for Spanish is really sweet and doesn’t know much English, which has been super hard some of the days, but she's a really good teacher. Our maestro (male teacher) for the gospel is super cool too, which is uncommon, and he served his mission in Utah! He also acts as our investigator, (Johan).

Anyway, I have been having a few hard days in the morning or flashes of bad attitudes when either my companion makes us late or I don’t understand the language. They don’t speak English to us which is very hard sometimes. The language is VERY hard. By the way, spoiler alert: Papia isn’t that great. Sorry, it can be decent at times but most the time it's pretty gross. (Mom here - I couldn't figure out what Papia was.) 

Anyway our first time teaching Johan, I wasn’t stressed at all. I just was like, it is what it is, and pretty much read from my notes and regardless of what he said, I just kept going and asking my next question because I didn’t understand him hahaha. 

I realized how much I am not good at futbol (soccer) here because we played with the Latinos and it was super hard. I did however score a really good goal when Elder Parker assisted me and then I headed it in. It was pretty awesome.

We've decided that the CCM is less of a training center and more of a carsel (jail). Yeah it's good and a great spirit but sometimes it seems like a prison, looking at the outside world, and we know everyone thinks that. Especially when we did service, which was straight cleaning the CCM haha. Anyway I love you guys and I'm really sorry that I wasn’t able to include everyting in detail! I wish I had more time but my compenero (companion) was taking a bit to get here. I love you all so much and don’t miss you yet!!! hahaha

Oh and one more thing, it's really green and pretty here and it's always cloudy and when it rains it's not even rain.
It's just like getting sprayed softly with a spray bottle. Anyway.. hasta la pasta.

Elder Rokovitz

                                 

         On the plane shipping off to Peru. This is only a tiny bit of us, but the plane was cool and big. 

                                                                                

I just thought this was cool. It was huge.

All the missionaries on the plane that were going to the CCM

A few of the Trujillo Sur (South) boys.

A little point on picture of my tag.

My bed and most of our room. Yes, I do make my bed. 

The beautiful view from our window of the beloved futbol field. 

Me and my companion, Elder Lee

All the elders in our district. All are going to Truillo Sur except Elder Simonsen on the far left who is in the trio and going to Arequipa. 

Our district with the Hermanas. They are also going to Trujillo. 

Our class/district studying.

Me and Cammy B (Elder Bates) being all matchy and stuff.

I'm Here!!

We got a quick email from Cory Wednesday morning, letting us know he had arrived safely. We watched the flight tracker all day Tuesday, watching his flight to Peru. It looks like the flight was delayed about 2 hours in Atlanta before heading to Peru. We think he got in about midnight, Peru time. I'm leaving his spelling and punctuation just the way the email came so you can understand how different the Spanish keyboards are, but will correct future emails to make them easier to read. I've also added some picture from the morning we sent him off to Peru. You can send emails to: cory.rokovitz@myldsmail.net  His email time is limited so he may not be able to respond quickly, but he will love getting mail.

Hey soo yeah i made it.. barely haha i didnt know what they were saying at all at customs so that was fun. but its really pretty here and veryy humid but its nice its not too hot right now in lima since its winter ish. i saw Cam though this morning and that was way awesome we didnt care about the past we just loved to see someone we know! but like he said you dont have time to miss you guys.. yeahh sorry it hasnt hit me yet but maybe give me a week and ill miss you guys. sorry about the horrible punctuation the keyboards are really weird here. but i have to go theyre kicking me out ill tell you more later! <i love you guys and don{t miss you yet;) talk to you soon!

With family after being set apart as a missionary.

The awesome Delta agent must have sent missionaries off before...... She made Cory raise his right hand and swear to write to his family EVERY week and had us take a picture for proof of his promise. 

Boarding passes and passport.

   

Taking a selfie as we head up to security. 

Last hug with Mom for 2 years.

Last minute advice from Dad. 

Last hug from Dad for 2 years.

Last hug from his sister Amber. 

There he goes!! We'll sure miss him but we're so excited to hear all about his wonderful mission.