Dadio! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! (Our anniversary and my, Dawn's, birthday are on the same day - Yeah, we did that.) Hahaha thought I would give you something too so you didn't feel left out. But honestly, thank you both so much for the great example you both set as parents. I have seen many "bad" and sad parenting here and I really am SOOO blessed to have such amazing parents who show true love one for another. Thanks for always making me laugh and being such a great couple! I love you both so much!!
Also thank you so much for the package! The homemade goodies were so DELICIOUS!!! And everyone I shared them with was in love haha. Also thanks for everything in the package. I was very happy.. "was" because I had to eat everything quick before I left the area.. so yes, it's all gone. But don't worry, I shared. (A friend was traveling to Perú last week and offered to take something from us to Cory, so it was a good time to send some homemade baked goods since we've never been able to do that because of how long it takes to send things to Perú. These were his first homemade treats since he's been gone. Everything else that has been sent has been store bought.)
CHEEEHOOO! I'm going to Salaverry! Salaverry is part of my old district in Moche hahaha. I'm going to be in the town right next to Moche, about 5 minutes south. But the districts have changed so I won't have Moche in my district. I'm going to serve as a District Leader there and my companion will be Elder Vilchez. I will be his 2nd companion. Salaverry is a huge responsability though. It's the area that is baptizing the most in our entire mission. They have been baptizing every month for over 16 months. I'm SUPER hyped because it is going to help me work my butt off and forget about home. I think it will help me "forget myself and lose myself in the work." I think that needs to be my new focus. It's harder as it gets closer but I need to shine right now that my mission is coming closer to the end. I think I will be dying in this area and that it will probably be my last area ("dying" meaning he will end his time as a missionary in this area.)
Anyway, this week has been.. well ups and downs. Ariana did not get baptized. She came to the interview VERY nervous and spent an hour and a half in the interview. Most interviews are 40 minutes, and usually like an hour tops! When she came out, Elder Escobar (who interviewed her) just came out shaking his finger and mouthing "no." We asked how she felt and she said "..Free.." She was very calm and said that she just needed to take a walk. Elder Escobar told us that she asked in the interview the church's view on homosexuals. He explained how we love them, but to be baptized, they would have to make some changes by not prarticipating in homosexuality to be able to be baptized and told her the reason why. She explained that if, "God isn't willing to accept them, I'm not sure that's the God I want to follow." I just don't think she understands well enough. She said that's the reason she doesn't want to get baptized but we haven't been able to meet with her since Thursday. We think it's like an iceberg - we are just seeing the tip, but there is much more to it. I think that it has to do with the social fact. She has a testimony. She knows it's true, but her parents are strong Catholics and I think them, her family, and her friends persuaded her mind and she is now scared. I'm really sad that I won't be able to help her out since I'm being transferred.. but I know it's all in God's hands and that her time will come. I hope it is before I leave Perú but I now know God will take care of it and I know she has her agency. Altough, Elder Nichols will keep doing everything possible.
Apart from that, it's been a pretty chill, normal week. We put a fecha (baptism date) with Alicia, the 83 year old.. she didn't really understand.. I mean, she wanted to change her name to be baptized.. haha, but we went back again and explained more and put a fecha for the 28th of April with her.
On Saturday we had a "mini missionary for a day" activity and were able to take out a Deacon with us. He just got baptized in Trujillo ward and has 5 months as a member but is such a STUD! It was a bunch of fun and I think he really enjoyed it.
But that's pretty much it for this week. Pretty stressed because of packing but I think I'll easily fit stuff this time, thanks to Jacqueline (the friend who took our treats to Cory) for taking some of my stuff back to Utah last time she was here. Anyway, I'll let you all know how the beach town is going this week!
Con amor, Elder Rokovitz
Haircut time. Abraham, Ana's son, is my barber this time.
Spending some time with Ana and Elder Houskeeper.
Waiting for everyone to show up for a Zone p-day activity.
Zona Palermo
Hanging with some of the best missionaries on p-day.
Me and Elder "Bene"
Hahaha, my hat looks like a pirate hat, thanks to the wind.
The rock that looks like a wave.
On the "wave" rock.
Titanic.....
Me and Elder Nichols.
Salaverry Hill, my new area.
A lady in our ward who is from Columbia said, "I saw this and thought of you two, so I bought it." Haha, first Dr. Pepper in 19 months!
Elder Nichols enjoying his Dr. Pepper.
Shoes, you gotta hang in there for 4 more months - Thanks for the Gorilla glue Mom.
Photo bombers!
Zone and District Leader meeting - lunch time. Elder Plock, me, Elder Walker and Elder Daza.
All of us elders came out together.
Meeting time.
My current companion (until tomorrow), Elder Nichols, my CCM companion, Elder Lee and me.
