week 47: xink'e in chihab'

Hey! Xink´e in chihab´! Mas junpaat naxik inhoonal!  (I already did a year! My time is going fast!) We had a little party and I did the shirt burning thing.

It is kind of a bad thing because I'm actually starting to enjoy the mission.  The first year was really flipping hard - the language and mountains and not knowing enough about the gospel and being away from home. Just all your normal missionary stuff I guess. But now that I'm getting the hang of it, it is a lot of fun! I just get a little homesick sometimes, but nothing too bad, nothing like the beginning!

So this week was just a crazy week of divisions! I went with Semaraaq on Tuesday and Wednesday, then Wednesday night I had to go to Seritkiche. I was there all day Thursday, and Friday I had to go back to Semaraq to do an interview, so that was a treat. LOTS of travel! But it was good to get to know the other areas. This little girl is a girl I did a baptismal interview for. 

Looks like we have two or three good possibilities coming up for baptism, I just have been out of my area so much I have yet to meet them! 

I am in Coban today, just finally did my blood test. I only got punctured three times today. I'm not sure what will happen if my b12 is still low but we will see. I haven't had any more fevers. I feel pretty ok, I mean I still have parasites but that's starting to be a normal thing. I can work and that is what is important. My meds are all gotten and stuff. We left at 12:30 this morning and got here around 6:15ish, it takes about 6 hours from my area. I was kind of in and out of sleep the whole time. I mean...they fit four people on one bus seat meant for two...so I only sleep if I'm really tired haha. The worst is when there are no seats and you have to do the whole thing standing up. I've also had to ride on top of a bus quite a few times. Keeps things exciting. The best is hanging out of the doorway. Actually your arms get tired, but it is fun! When I am done with my tests we will go to the plaza and maybe eat subway. It is like the ones at home but it doesn't taste as good. It is weird, any American restaurants they have here just don't taste as good for some reason. Big news, our new Mission President says we can drink coke! YEESSS! Unfortunately I'm trying to leave soda behind, he isn't making it easier.  Although the acid in the Coke might help kill the parasite haha.

Mom asked for a scripture that has helped me on my mission...

Laa'in ninnaw naq chi moko li kamk malaj li yu'am, chi moko eb' li anjel malaj li neke'awab'ejink sa' choxa, chi moko li k'a' re ru wank anaqwan malaj li toj chaalel, chi moko li wankeb' xwankil.

Jo'wi' li wankeb' taqe'eq ut taq'a, tik maak'a' naru taa jachoq qe rik'in li xrahom li yos li wank rik'in li Kristo Jesus, li Qaawa' ("For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39) I figure this is a pretty good spiritual thought because it sums up an important thing I've learned in my mission. This scripture is talking about how literally nothing will separate us from God's love which is in Jesus Christ. I don't have much to say other than I promise that it is true, I have seen it in my life and many others as well. 

I'm thankful for all of you and love you all!

Love, Elder Toolson