Trunkiness Never Was Happiness - One Year Mark

Well ladies and gentlemen, in 2 days I will have been in Perú for a hot year! Time has FLOWN while I've been out and I'm loving and enjoying every moment that I can out here. Pretty nuts that a year has gone by! On Wednesday I will definitely wear an old shirt and tie.. they already are buying the eggs to celebrate.... Gonna be trunky for a hot minute. I have the right because it’s a Monday and I have come to a year in the mission. Here are my top 15-ish things I miss most… Grass, Carpet, fast food (Panda Express, Chick-fil-a, Wendy's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Betos), steak, music, driving, naps, being able to hold-play with little kids, alone time, a bed that I fit in, wrestling, football, (American. Football.), my family and friends (obvious), working out.. for more than 45 minutes.. at a gym, joggers - being able to wear other clothes, speaking English… Now you know! Haha don’t worry fam, I'm not trunky and I'm completely focused. Just wanted to have a little fun! 

Anyway, THIS AREA ISN'T DEAD! This area has not had a baptism in over a year. My companion and I baptized Jessi and Vilma on Saturday and Elder Daza and Elder Mayta baptized Noemi. (Yesi is Jessi, who got baptized this week. Her name is Jese but here the pronunciacion is Hese and she doesn't like it haha, but yeah.) Three baptisms ladies and gentlemen! Hard work pays off! We are super hyped for these 3 women. They are so great and we are super excited for their progress. I'm about to work twice as hard this next year and have even more baptisms! 

Saturday was a crazy day. We were running around Trujillo, alto (upper) Moche, and Salaverry to get the clothes for the baptism. We finally got back and Ana wanted to take us out to eat. God bless Perú (it was their Independence day) so we got something to eat, and then my companion and I rushed to the church to fill up the pila (baptismal font), get things cleaned and set up in an hour. We got it done and Noemi, Jessi and Vilma showed up at 4 pm. Only 3 other people showed up at 4… we told everyone it would start at 3 pm so they would come at 4… yeah.. everyone started showing up at 5 pm. Love it. President was supposed to come and give a talk, but thank goodness he got super sick and couldn’t come.. we would’ve started at 4 pm with 6 people. I was pretty disappointed with everyone on that but once everyone finally got there things went uphill and it was one of the best baptisms I've been to! It was super spiritual. The primary children sang that rainbow baptism song (I Like to Look for Rainbows), us elders sang Love One Another, the talks were on point and the testimonies of Vilma, Noemi and Jessi were super powerful! It was a great baptism but afterwards we were all EXHAUSTED! I've never been so tired in my life. The next day they all got confirmed, which was also really spiritual. But wow, it was a great baptism. This area has seen miracles. We worked so hard to get this and we are so greatful for the hand of the Lord and the guidance to be able to achieve these 3 baptisms here in Moche. 

Apart from that, since last Wednesday when I emailed you last, we had a super bomb lesson with Angel. He has read until 1 Nephi 7. He downloaded the Gospel Library app and was listening to it. We taught the Restoration and talked more about the church and they love it. They believe what we teach and love our principles. We're gonna put a fecha (baptism date) with them in 2 weeks (they can only visit on Sundays and they won't be here next week) but it's all good! 

Also we found this guy, Manuel, who was born here, moved to Arizona for a few years, but is here for work (crop dusting.) He straight speaks English so we talked to him in English and did the first lesson in English. This time I felt better in English but there was a point where I had to switch to Spanish and teach for about 10 minutes because my mind wasn’t working haha, but he's super cool. He says he is from a part in Mesa Arizona where it’s a bit ghetto and the only white people you see are the “MOB´s”. We asked what the heck is an MOB and he said, “When you're walking down the street with your homies and you see two white guys in shirts and ties on bikes you yell, 'MOB! MOB! Mormons on Bikes! Run!' And get the heck out of there.” Hahaha my companion and I were dying. The guy is hilarious. He really wants to turn his life around and come to church. He was thinking of going to church two Sundays ago because he hasn’t gone in years, when we showed up and he took that as a sign that it's time to turn his life around. He's 28 and single. He likes our teachings but only believes in the Bible. But we´ll see what happens with him, he´s super cool. 

Anyway, short week since I emailed this last Wednesday. But I love you guys, hope you have a good week. Amber, happy birthday! I love you. And I'll be celebrating with you on Wednesday haha. Besitos! Les amo!

Elder Rokovitz

                                                                                   
                                                                               

The baptism day of Jessi and Vilma. Elder Aldea and I each got to baptize one of them.

Elder Aldea, me, Elder Daza, Jessi, Vilma, Noemi and her little girl.

Same people but Elder Mayta joined us for the picture.

Us with Jessi and her children.

Me with Jessi, her children and Hermana Maria who was the old pencionista here.

With all the people that were the whole reason these two got baptized. The bishop is in the back in the suit, holding his daughter, the bishop's wife is to the left in the blue shirt, Hermana Maria in the green, her daughter in the blue shirt and white vest and our Relief Society president, Maribel, is on the right in the blue.

Elder Aldea, me, Elder Daza and Elder Mayta all ready for the baptism. Our Relief Society president is the photo bomber in the back. 

Vilma, Noemi, and Jessi all ready for their baptism.

Me and Vilma

Eating after the baptism.

With Ana's family members

Ana joins us for the picture.

Me with our bishop and his daughter, Celeste.

Trying to get a picture with Celeste, but she kept moving and closing her eyes and wouldn't take a picture with me hahaha.

Elder Aldea, me, Elder Daza and Elder Mayta reppin' the red (red ties.)

Temple Day

Woooo it´s been a long week, good, but long. We didn't get p-day until today because we went to the temple today.  I was able to read the temple paper that you sent in your last package today as we waited in the chapel of the temple. I loved it a bunch and the temple had a different meaning for me today. It was an experience today that I will never forget. I also brought my bendicion patriarcal (patriarchal blessing) in the Celestial room to read. Wow what power today the spirit had in the temple!

We also found a guy here finishing his mission and his parents came to get him. We found him today at the temple. He was a wrestler and he said he recognized me and my name from a couple of tournaments. He is from Arizona and wrestled 132.. so yeah, he knew right away "Maple Mountain high school" because of Taylor Lamont haha, but it was cool to talk to him and his family.

I had a chance to read that story you sent that Elder Holland told to the new mission presidents. I actually loved the talk and cried when I read it as well. That is only my dream for Chad. I know that one day he will come back.  https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-shares-account-of-missionary-speech-of-all-time-with-new-misson-presidents?lang=eng (scroll to the "Missionary Speech of All Time.")

It's been a really great and busy week. It started off with a new person we found, Eduardo, who straight has his own triple combination set of scriptures. He is a stud, super prepared and whatnot.

We found out that the puppy we found on the street last week, with no mom in sight, died. I guess that's common here. It didn't have the nutrients and motherness it needed.. poor guy.

Also we helped out my boy Victor (Isrealite with the beard and long hair.)

                                                                             

(Picture of Victor from a previous post)

We pushed his cart about a mile and talked with him, then talked about Isaiah scriptures. The guy is a straight wizard! He whipped out this one scripture in Isaiah which is straight talking about Lehi and missionary work here in the Americas. Pretty nuts! It was the first time I've left 2 Nephi 17-24 with someone but I felt he would enjoy it because he likes Isaiah a bunch.

Later in the week I went on an interchange with my BOY Elder Daza. I taught him a bunch of jergas like, “Bro we went OFF” haha. We went to teach this one kid and come to find out he is from Virginia. He's a sophomore in high school but is here with his cousins for the Summer break. It was weird talking to an American haha. He speaks Spanish about the same level as me. We decided to teach the Plan of Salvation, but that I would teach in English and Elder Daza in Spanish because Elder Daza doesn't speak English. And wow, my English gospel grammer is horrible! I would rather give a lesson in Spanish than in English. I didn't even remember half the words in English. The coolest part was when I would explain something (in English) and then Elder Daza would testify and continue as if I had been speaking Spanish. It was so cool. But wow, for now, I'm going to stick to Spanish lessons. I give them a lot better than in English.

Sunday we got to church about 10 minutes early and about 3 minutes before church started the bishop comes up to me and goes, “The speaker isn't here. I need you to give a 15 minute talk.. oh and you're up first.” I was like, "Don't worry bishop, I'll put he team on my BACK!" And I did. I always heard that would happen on the mission but now I lived it. But giving a talk at church in the mission is no big deal. You're just giving a lesson of what you know, just to 200 people. I actually love giving talks now. It was great.

Yesterday we had a hyped District meeting. I decided to have some fun and do a contest. We had to give the restauración (restoration) in under a minute. It took about 4 rounds of us 6 trying before I finally got it at 58 seconds.. Yep that's right, the gringo spit out lesson number one, in Spanish, better than all the native speakers. On Elder Aldea's 3rd try, he didn't get it by like 3 seconds, so he kicked the air and FWOP! Ripped the whole back, all the way to the front side, of his pants. We were dying! Man I love it here.

Last week we had interviews with Presidente Rios and he talked to me about how in Moche, the 2 companionships and areas, have not had a baptism in over a year.. about a year and a half almost. But, ladies and gentlemen, we are about to have 3 baptisms in this area this Saturday!! Two from us, Jessi and Vilma, and 1 from the other elders, Noemi. Elder Hart (one of the assistants to the president) called me last night to congratulate us for the hard work. He goes, “Do you know how long it has been since the last baptism in your area?” I said, ".. all I know is close to a year." He goes, “Dude, Elder! Over a freaking year!” And continued to congratulate me. It really meant a lot. We have worked our butts off to get this and we are so happy the Lord has blessed us for our hard work. We are so hyped for them.

That's really all this week. I've been going off in my studies in the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi, lovin it. Also I realized yesterday that the 24th passed, didn't even realize it.. haha oops. (July 24th is Pioneer day and a big celebration in Utah.) Time flies when you're working hard and having fun. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love ya boy, Elder Rokovitz



                                                                             

Me and Elder Daza on p-day.

At the beach in our area.

Me and my companion, Elder Aldea. Not sure what face he is making. 

Me with a cute little puppy.

Columbia's Independance Day. Elder Daza is from Columbia and this is the Columbian flag.

Celebrating Columbia's Independance Day.

My planner on the 4th of July and Elder Daza's planner on Columbia's Independance Day.

Lunch with Ana.

(Look how Cory's rice is being stolen during the picture!)

Smiling with Ana's dog, Matias.

Me and Ana's beautiful dog, Matias.

Sunset on the Peruvian beach.

Elder Daza, Elder Mayta, Elder Aldea and me.

With members of Ana and Jose Luis's family.

At the temple in Trujillo.

Me and my companion, Elder Aldea, at the temple. 

Me and Elder Daza.

Me with my mission president, President Rios.

Elder Aldea, me, Elder Mayta and Elder Daza at the temple in Trujillo. 

I Love Being Here

Sounds like you guys had a pretty crazy week! It's a good thing I wasn't there when the house was getting packed up. I was holding back tears here reading about your last day in the house.. I'm sorry but I had to laugh when you said how long you cried.. haha, not to be mean, but it was just funny. It's like one of those cartoons where they cry and they fill up a river and have to hop in a boat because they're crying so much. I just pictured that with you haha. It really is crazy, we had so many memories there and I'm going to miss that house but I'm excited for new adventures. 

This week has been pretty eventful. It's been a great week! First off, straight saw my paisanos (countrymen - from the same country) down here, like 20 students that are here for service. One is from SLC, so that was awesome.

Quick update on the investigadores. Victor and Ebelyn went to Cajamarca this last week so they weren't home, but we will be visiting them this next week. They're so cool though! 

Jessi is doing awesome! She came to church all 3 hours this week and we have had 2 great, spiritual lessons this week on the Plan of Salvation and baptism etc., it's been great. She doesn’t have much of an education so we teach her a little slower. It actually has strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith porque (because) I know there is no way he could have translated the Book of Mormon solo (alone) without any education. 

                                                                             

Me and Elder Aldea with Jessi and her children at church.

Also, Vilma didn’t go to church because she traveled this last week and so we aren’t sure if she will be getting baptized the 29th. She has a huge desire to be baptized as well as a testimonio of the Book of Mormon but she needs to come to church. We are going to talk to President Rios about it though. 

We talked to Jorge about baptism and praying about it and he said, “I'll pray about it but, I mean, if Heavenly Father says no.. then I mean..” hahaha we told him to ask and we´ll see what happens.

I had an intercambio (interchange) with Elder Herrera this week (one of the elders in my District.. I don’t know if I told you but they changed my District again.. so now I have had every area in our Zone in my District) but yeah, we straight saved a dog's life. We found it in the street, literally still in the sack and still connected. I broke the sack and we ran a mile to get it to the vet, who is a member. He cut the sack and fed it and warmed it up and whatnot. Yup. I saved a dog's life this week. 

The next day Elder Aldea and I got to destroy a member's wall as a service. We were in our proselyting clothes but, I mean, I don’t wash my clothes, so I'm good.. haha just kidding, we put on other shirts, but it was cool. We took sledge hammers to it. I would’ve taken pictures but Abraham was using my camera to get my pictures back that got a virus. 

On Saturday we went and made pizza with Hermana Marta mientras (while) we were conversing with her sobrina (niece), Daisi (about 27-ish years old.) She was having a bad day. We asked her what she likes and she said music, so we went a little apostate to cheer her up, haha. I told her to put on some Bruno Mars and I sung in English and she thought it was hilarious. She isn’t a member and we told her to come to church. She isn’t one to come to church but I think because of our friendship and caring, she came and she said she liked it a lot. She only stayed 2 hours but she seems a little more peaceful afterwards.

                                                                             

Enjoying the pizza we made. Daisi is in the background.

 

On Sunday we taught my boy Angel again, and naturally, he had more questions and we just went off on doctrine again about the Plan of Salvation. He says everything we teach he agrees with and it makes sense. It's obvious he has studied the Bible a bunch and obviously he understands it because he agrees with everything we say. He's a stud though. His parents are actually converts about 20-ish years ago. Pretty nuts, but he's great. 

Yesterday we were able to have a NDH (family night) with Ana and her family. Jose Luis made Tequeños and wow, they were good! And it was pollo a la braza day here in Perú so we ate that as well. Oooo baby girl, it was good. We watched a video of the life of Christ and spoke a bit more of that as well. Jose Luis actually shared a testimony of the Savior. It was super cool and I was able to express my gratitude towards them and him and let him know how much it meant to us and his family when he came to church. It was a really great and spiritual NDH! 

Time sure is flying. I realized that in one year I will be home.. I have a lot of work that still needs to be done so I'm going to work double hard this next year than I did this past year. It's crazy to think that. I'm not going to lighten up though. I'm going to make sure I "leave it all on the field" before I leave. I love being here and I'm so happy. I know it's only one time in my life so I've gotta enjoy every moment! 

But yeah that’s about all for this week. I started reading the Gordon B Hinckley book and I loved something that Gordon´s dad had always said to them as jovenes (young boys). It was about the Mayflower and his ancestery and he told them his ancestors did never look back and continued forward. Pretty cool, the same applies to us when we have hard times. Leave them in the past, trust in the Lord and continue forward. 

I love you all. Hope you have a great week and keep doing what you do. Besitos. (Little kisses)



Elder Rokovitz

                                                                                     

More pizza (Sent from a church member)

Me and Elder Aldea with Melissa and her son Facundo, at church. (Look at the cute little boy off to the side with his little missionary badge on - so sweet.)

Bilingual Blessings

This week has been super fast, but super good. Nothing too crazy though. 

On the 4th of July... it was different but I made sure that I enjoyed it. In the morning I had Ana play the National Anthem. After that, we went to drop off Elder Scott at the terminal. The terminal is called the terminal America, so yes, I was in America on the 4th of July haha. Then we worked hard the whole day and at the end of the day I we went up on our roof and lit a few fireworks off, but.. it was the 4th.. I had to. Their fireworks aren’t as fun but they still fly and explode so it was a little 4th of July fun for me. 

                                                                         

Me and Elder Scott listening to the National Anthem in the morning on July 4th at Ana's house.

At the terminal America where Elder Scott went for his transfer. In "America" for the 4th of July.

Also update on Victor and Ebelyn.. they're not married haha, but it's alright, they are super animated. We need to start working to help them get married. But they went to church again and they have tons of questions which is awesome. They're so cool. Plus we met their son David too. 

Elder Daza's new companion is Elder Mayta from Bolivia.. so my entire district is Latinos now. I'm about to learn Spanish hard core! There isn’t an English speaker within 30 minutes of me. Elder Mayta is from the highest city in the world in Bolivia. When we are freezing at night, he's walking around sweating. Pretty nuts. 

Vilma is doing really good. She came to church late this week because she had to drop her son off at the airport, but she came, which was great. We taught her 1 Nephi 4:16-34 and it went really well. She is a great learner and understands a ton. Both her and Jessi are programmed for the 29th of this month for baptism. Jessi couldn’t go to church because she is recently pregnant and a little sick. 

On Thursday we made cookies with Elsa. Afterwards I had 3 people ask me for the recipe. My cookies are GOLDEN! I was pretty hyped about that. 

At church on Sunday I learned something super cool that I never really realized before. A women was giving her talk and she said that she was trying to learn patience and praying for patience when she realized that when she thought things were getting harder and God wasn’t hearing her prayer, she realized that things weren’t getting harder, rather that God was allowing her to practice her patience and that He really did hear her and that was how He was responding - By making her show her patience and practice it. How cool. We think at times that God isn’t hearing our prayers because things seem to get harder, but that is His way of responding. Pretty cool, I never thought of it that way but it helped me realize that's one of the ways the Lord contests our prayers. 

Later that day we found a couple, of which the husband's parents are members. He is super great. He had so many questions! Like, deep doctrine questions, it was so cool. I've never taught someone so profoundly but it's what he wanted to know. He had obviously studied the bible much. He's super cool though and we´re hyped to visit him and he is hyped to learn a lot. Super cool couple, they are Angel and Nelly. 

I saw the blessing of knowing two languages today during my studies when I was reading in 2 Nephi 15 (Isaiah chapters) and I came across a word that I didn’t understand which was "betwixt." I looked in Spanish and the word was “entre” which is enter in (in context, enter ye in me and my vineyard.) Ha! I realized how much easier it was to study Isaiah chapters in Spanish. It's actually easier to study things like Jesus the Christ in Spanish as well because Spanish context has less words. Pretty cool. Bilingual blessings. Love it. 

Anyway, that’s really all for this weeks folks. We´re working hard and seeing miracles in the people we are finding. Super prepared people. We´re really stoked for that! Anyway, love you all and hope you enjoy your week!

Tu amigo fiel, Elder Rokovitz

                                                                               

Saying goodbye to Elder Scott (2nd from left) on the day of transfers.

I'm going to miss this great missionary.

Me and Elder Rottweiler (who came out on the mission the same time as I did.) He's getting shorter!

Me and Elder Aldea with Luana on her birthday. Her mom, Lucero, is less active and we are teaching her husband, Jesus.

God Bless America

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and I'm in Perú, so happy birthday America. I love you. I loved what you said about the 4th and to just go to work and that I was able to have the freedom to choose to serve this mission. Thanks Mom! That meant a lot.

Welp, I'm staying out here in Moche, so I'm hyped about that. We´re about to get 2 new elders in this district. Elder Scott is leaving and will be with Elder Chiza. He is the only elder I've ever seen who is allowed to have a long braid. He is from a tribe in a little pueblo in Ecuador and they aren't allowed to cut their hair so they are allowed to have that on the mission. It's super cool actually. They are direct decendants from the Lamanites. Elder Mich is also being transferred and Elder Daza is about to train a new missionary. 

This week has blown by. Every night I came home super tired and with a headache, but we are good. It's been a great week! On Tuesday I had an interchange with Elder Mich over in Salaverry (the beach town.) His area is the best. I love it. First off, that morning when we went to eat breakfast, I went to shake the pencion's hand. She is like 73 years old, and she goes, “Nope! I don’t do handshakes, I give hugs” and she hugged me! But she's been a pencion for 30 years and she's super old, so I hugged her back haha. It was weird but it was like a little "mom hug", so that was cool. 

Later we went to this part in Elder Mich's area which is called an “invasion”, which is a sand hill that the government opens so people can build their houses for free. We went to the very top where we found a less active member who lives in a house made of pallets and cardboard.. Wow how humbling. He literally lives on sand in a cardboard house. It was super humbling, honestly. 

                                                                                

Elder Mich and me. These are the homes on the invasion.

Also we gave 3 blessings that day. It was awesome. We gave one first to Hermana Guerrero and she wanted me to give it in English.. Wow, I could barely do it haha. I haven't given a blessing in English for a while and I kept screwing up and saying words in Spanish. Pretty nuts, but it was a great blessing. 

This week we also taught Melissa and Juan about the Law of Chastity. They still don't have any info for Juan's divorce so I don't think they will be able to get baptized on the 5th, but we will keep it up and pray for them. They're a great couple! 

We found this couple this week who are CHOSEN and prepared hardcore! They are Victor and Ebilyn and they have a son, David, of 16 years. Anyway we were knocking doors in this neighborhood and we decided on a new approach - to offer service. We knocked a couple times on their door and nothing. We started to walk away when the man called us back. We said, "Sir, do you need help with anything?" He said, "Well... at this moment no, I'm busy.. but I know you two are going to be able to help me out a lot. Come back Thursday." We didn't think much of it, came back Thursday with a member (she knows them), we start talking and he told us that when we came by last time, he was at the back of the house.. very back, like in the backyard and they have like a big wall around their yard (little more developed.) He said he had his music in his ears and he cranks it.. (like me) and normally doesn't hear anything. He normally just tells "people like us" that he's busy.. but he decided to see what we wanted. When we offered to help him and nothing else, he knew that we were sent to him for a reason. We talked for an hour and a half and they are so cool! They are without work now and feel abandoned and don't know what they did wrong for God to "castigar" (punish) them.. sorry I forgot the word in English. We left them the Plan of Salvation pamphlet and invited them to church. Claudia (the member) went by and got them for church on Sunday and they stayed all 3 hours!! They read the folleto.. (brochure) unheard of haha, and he said, "Do you have a Book of Mormon? I was reading in the folleto (brochure) and couldn't find some of the scriptures and want to read more." WHATTTT?? Also he went to the self efficency class that night. Yeah.. they are CHOSEN. All because we decided to listen to the spirit and offer help that day. I'll keep you updated on them. 

Vilma and Jessi are doing great. Didn't come to church but Vilma is sharing the Book of Mormon with her friends and giving us references. She's so cool. Also she's been saying things like, "When I get baptized.." etc.. It's like when a couple who is dating says, "WHEN we get married" haha it was super cool. 

We also found this awesome family through a young taxi driver. They had a ping pong table.. we spent about 20 minutes playing ping pong with them that night. We are going to play futbol with them today as well, so yeah, they're awesome. 

Steicy´s baptism was this last week and it went great - except I had to put her under 3 times... First I screwed up and didn't say "y" (and) during the baptismal prayer one of the times.. ugh. She was cold and she didn't plug her nose right so she didn't want to do it again. Finally she said she would do it again when I told her I would plug her nose and then her elbow popped up out of the water that time... UGH. She didn't want to do it a third time because of fear and being cold. But I got the impression to tell her, "Mira, Jesus esta contigo ahorita. Le puedes sentirlo?.. Esta contigo, te prometo." (Look, Jesus is with you right now. Can you feel it? He's with you, I promise.) After that her whole face changed and she decided to try one more time. That time I made sure I said it right and dunked her all the way to the ground. Her mom cheered her up as she changed and she was glowing after. Also, Jessi went to the baptism! It was a great day. We were hyped.

                                                                               

Us with Steicy on her baptism day. She's so adorable.

Me, Steicy and Elder Aldea

Steicy and her parents with us at her baptism. 

 

We're gonna help out some more people this change and work our butts off! I'm loving it. Everyone have a great week! Gospel is true, America is red, white and blue. Haha Cuidan todos!!! Les amo mucho! (Take care all. I love you a lot.)

Tu patriota fiel (Your faithful patriot), Elder Rokovitz

                                                                                 

Us missionaries after a talent show.

At the talent show.

Zone conference.

Me and the Testigos (the Jehovah Witness church.)