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.")
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.)
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!
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.
