ROC

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to join Remembering Our Culture (ROC). I have watched ROC since 2008 when my husband and I first started dating. He had been in the group on and off since 2003. Every time I would watch their show/performances, my heart would race, I'd get so excited and I just wished with all my heart I could join. But life happened, I had 3 babies and felt it wasn't something I could do. While in Hawaii, we heard that ROC would be closing shop. For good. I was so heart broken. That meant I could never perform for ROC.

Just a little background of ROC, they are a performing group, both singing and dancing. They do performances for 5 cultures: Latin America, Native American, African, Polynesian and Asian. They help their students stay on track with school, you must be in institute or have a 2.0 GPA in school. They are required, in contract, to abide by the church standards, regardless of which school you go to (usually UVU or BYU). They travel to different places, like California, the Native American Reservations, New York and Texas to name a few, and perform for schools, churches and other organizations with the message of remembering who you are, where you are from and getting an education. ROC is run by Micheal and LLuvia Campbell and they have been doing this for almost 15 years (this year).

ROC group picture before heading to Olvera St

As I was wallowing in my despair, Josh and I had a brilliant idea. We wanted to start ROC in Hawaii. Did it happen?? No. And a good thing it didn't. We ended up coming back to Utah. And viola! ROC was back and Josh decided to ask if they needed help. And they did. They needed male dancers. So we went to a practice and Josh kept bugging me to ask Micheal if I could dance. As much as I wanted to, I knew that once they had enough girls, they really didn't need more. I told Josh, "If Micheal asks me to dance, I will dance. If he doesn't need anymore girls then I don't need to worry about it." But as the Lord would have it, Micheal came up to me and said "I wish you could dance with us!!" I looked at Josh (with a half smirk/half smile on his face) and looked at Micheal and said "well I can if you want me to." I think he was nearly as stunned as I was. From that moment I had joined ROC and I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. What started as just dancing for the April show, turned into Josh and I going on tour to California with the group. It was by far, my favorite tour I've ever been on. I have gone to places with various different groups. I've danced, sang, competed but this was the best experience I've ever had with a group. It was a spiritual experience that I will never forget. Each day was filled with driving, performing and lots of running around, but you could just feel the Spirit of the Lord with us, our ancestors performing with us and the love that God had for each and every person we performed for. It was amazing.

Last performance in Rancho Cucamonga

After tour was done, I asked Micheal what he needed for next year and he would say "A Polynesian section leader!" I think it took him about 4 or 5 times before I finally said I would do it. As this year has begun, I am so nervous, anxious but excited about what this year will be like. I do not feel in any way shape or form, worthy, talented enough or good enough to be in this position. I've danced but I've never choreographed. I was never in a halau or competed in tahiti fete or even took training in any Polynesian dance. I feel so out of my comfort zone and I keep telling Micheal and Lluvia "If only my siblings were here they could share their amazingly wonderful talents with all of you!!" But I've come to realize that all those in the group are in it for a reason. And I am in it for a reason. I have no idea what the reason is, but I have prayed and asked about it and it feels right. I am grateful for this opportunity to do ROC and to share my talents, my gifts, my love of my culture and my love for my Savior. It really is the Lord's work, whether you are on a mission, doing your calling in church or being a good example where ever you go. Where you share your light, or His love, become His hands or be your best self, you are doing HIS WORK. And I am grateful to be doing His work with people I have come to love and appreciate.

Here are some pictures from tour:

Our Fireside dresses, me with the beautiful Alexis

On our way home with Olivia

the smaller, cooler van.

the best picture EVER. Ito (in the native outfit) is know as the "bird man" to my kids.

group picture when we finally reached Cali!

standing around at the temple in LA

If you want to learn more about ROC and feel that maybe you could join us, shoot me an email or leave a comment.Or click on the link in the first paragraph and it will take you to their website. ROC is also on Facebook, feel free to ask any questions!