First off, Dad, HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!! ... well sort of.. next week haha. I just want to let you know how much I love you and respect you Dad. I'm so greatful to have such a good man in my life to look up to and have such a great example. I've had so so many great memories with you that I can't even begin to count! I miss you so much and I'm so greatful to have had good parents who raised me in the gospel and taught me the principles of how to live a good and righteous life. Dad, I can never thank you enough for all that you do. We had Stake Conference this week and President Rios shared a short testimony of the Savior that put me to tears because it was just so powerful. It just reminded me so much of you and your strong testimony you have for the Savior. It was probably the best part of my week because it reminded me of you and the example you have set for me and the love you have for the Savior. I'm truly greatful for all that you do. The hard work you have always put in to get to where you are in life, in work, and in the gospel. I know it wasn't easy for you, though you are humble and don't share often those hard moments, but I know it wasn't easy. Dad, I love you. I am so greatful for your love and your example! I miss you a ton but I am glad I am where I am. I know this is where I need to be, where you want me and where my Heavenly Father wants me.
Well, this has been a pretty eventful week and it has been a great week. So first off about Vilma - On Tuesday we had a lesson with her, the bishop's family and a less active member about the Sacrament and it went great! At the end of the lesson we challenged her to baptism but she told us she wanted to learn and prepare more, which is totally normal. But then on Saturday we went back and taught her again and she goes, “Tell me about this baptism thing.” My companion and I were like, OKAY! If you say so! We had a great lesson on baptism with her and challenged her for the 29th of Julio (July) to be baptized and she accepted! Whoo! We´re really hyped about that. Keep praying for her to progress.
That same Tuesday night we went to go teach a young man named Alvaro, when a drunk guy was calling to us. My companion stopped and I told him, “He's drunk, let's just go, we´re late.” But my companion goes, "No, I feel like we need to talk to him", so we went over and talked to the guy. I'm glad we did. I know he may have been drunk, but I could just see in his eyes someone from inside yelling for our help and I just felt something special with him. We've gone back there twice but he hasn't been there. Hopefully we will be able to find him home soon.
After that we went to Alvaro's, who is in a wheelchair. We have gone there a few times but his parents would never let us in the house so we just talked to him outside. They are VERY Catholic. But this time we finally got in. I said to the mom, "We want to talk to you guys about the virgin Mary." She was a little confused but was like, okay. We then went in and shared 1 Nephi 11: 14-15, and 18-21. (14: And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? 15: And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. 18: And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. 19: And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! 20: And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. 21: And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!...) It was a great lesson. I'm going to start using that more to see if we can visit more of the Catholic people here. After the lesson, Alvaro said, "Wait here", and comes back with coffee and said, “I made you guys some coffee”...... ugghhh, I felt so bad to reject him but it was a good teaching moment. He then goes, “It's okay, I'll make you guys some herbal tea.” Haha he came out, gave it to us on little stools and then brings out avocado with crackers and was like, “You guys can eat crackers and palta (avacado) right?” Then he got some salt.. “Can you guys eat salt?” Hahaha we were like, yes we can, haha it was pretty funny! But yeah, it was a great day!
The next day we went to this reference we got named, Doy. He is the first Peruvian that actually looks and acts like a straight cowboy out of Texas hahaha. He was a great guy and super nice to us and everything but wow.. I learned every colorful word in the Spanish dictionary in every form.. haha, but he's a good man. We look forward to keep teaching him.
Also this week we found a lady named Yesi. She. Is. Awesome! She was at Hermana Maria's house (old pencion) and as we were leaving she asked when we visit. We told her that we were about to have a Noche de Hogar (family night) with Maria and her familia tomorrow and she was welcome to participate. Well, she came. She loved the hymns and thought the message was really great.. that was Friday. We invited her then, on Friday night, for the Stake Conference which would be held the following day. She told us that she would love to go! So we went to the night session. We got there at 5:30 p.m. and then we were informed that they actually changed the hour from 6 to 7 and so we had to wait another hour and a half… the conference then lasted until 9 p.m. and she was attentive the whole time! The next day during lunch we get a call from her and she asked us, “What day are you guys going to visit me?” We told her that we had taken out a cita (appointment) with her for Tuesday. She then goes,” Well Maria said you guys were going to go and visit a hermana today.. is it okay if I accompany you guys?” ummm….. YES!!! I've never had any investigator ask that after one visit! Wow she is chosen! She's so cool. We are going to put a fecha (baptism date) with her this week.
Also quick note before I forget, Melissa had surgery on her eye so that’s why you aren’t hearing about her, and Jorge had to work during the day this week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. so we weren’t able to visit them.
To end I want to tell you something powerful from the conference and that was President Rios' talk on Saturday night. He had about 5-7 minutes to talk, which was very short, but he talked about the Savior. First he told us all to turn to the person sitting next to us and share our testimony of the Savior. He then bore his heartfelt testimony of the Savior. It reminded me of the powerful testimony of the Savior from my own father. It was the first time that I have seen president cry, and he was teared and choked up his whole talk. It was so powerful, I couldn’t help but cry as well. What a powerful talk!
I just want to let everyone know that the Savior lives and loves you all. Put any hardship you have on His shoulders and He will carry it. Never lose hope. I love you all so much and hope you enjoy your week!
Love, Elder Rokovitz
(No pictures this week. Cory said he tried and tried to load them but it wasn't working. He said he would have his pensionista send them, but so far, I haven't gotten anything from her. If they come during the week, I will load them as a separate blog post.)
