I GOT CHIK´ed!!!

Hello THERE!!!
Ok, so here are the stories about changes.....Elder Toolson is in Sayaxchè still and he is training a new elder. I got a change and they told me I was going to Coban. So I was superbly stoked for that!! I then got on the bus on Wednesday at 6 am to head over to the Coban house where the Zone Leaders are. I was able to see Turek and Fadel and Schone and lots of old buddies so it was really great!!! When I got there they told me what area I would be going to. My new area is called Santo Domingo and my new companion is Elder Howard! Crazy right!? (He says that because Elder Smith's Dad’s side of the family are Howard’s.) He is from Bountiful. You are all probably wondering where Santo Domingo is....Well....It’s in a little mountain place called POLOCHIK! I GOT CHIK´ed!!! Crazy right!! So hopefully I can learn this language!!! I really think I would have started my mission here if I didn’t have knee problems because President has always asked me in interviews how my knee was doing. When I told him I hadn’t really had any problems for a while now, he sent me to one of the most mountainous areas of the Chik. It’s so beautiful up here. I am sending some pics of my new area. The pictures don’t really do it justice, but it’s really amazing.

I have already had some not too tasty stuff. The Q`eqchi` are known for their not so yummy food. I want you to try something ok? Get some corn tortillas and some warm water and then burn the shiz out of those tortillas and crush them up in that water, let it sit for a bit, and then drink it! It’s really not that bad if you plug your nose. Ha ha! And supposedly this area is the 2nd hardest in the entire mission. So we’ll see how much success we find. We are working really hard and we found a pretty cool new family, so we shall see how it goes with them. So that’s the changes for you!!!

The ATM withdrawal was for my area. Maybe you could somehow replace that money as part of my Christmas, that would be nice, I don’t know. I had to buy a good flashlight and I have to buy some rubber mud boots soon and things like that. It’s pretty expensive. And I REALLY hope you got me more pants for Christmas because one pair of pants got practically destroyed in a day. I also had to pay for the travel which cost a lot and it will take a while to get reimbursed.
I sent my coat liner to grandma to take home. I had sent the outer part with elder Winn but he forgot it I guess, so that is pretty much gone-zo. But just have her take it home. If I ever get cold, I can just wear my suit coat. I won’t be cold for a while walking up and down these mountains. I will definitely be losing some weight from that!!

I don’t really know anything in Q´eqchi´ yet but here is my testimony that I pretty much just read during lessons:
Ninnaw naq laj José Smith a´an jun profeet li Dios.
(I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God)
Ninnaw naq laj Tomás S. Monson a´an jun li wiinq b`oq`bil xb`an li Dios.
(I know that Thomas S. Monson is a man called by God)
Ninnaw naq li qaChoxahil Yuwa` a`an nokoxra ut laa`o li ralal xk´ajol.
(I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and we are His children)
Ninnaw naq Lix Iglees Li Jesukristo Reheb´ Laj Santil Paab´anel Sa´ Roso´jikeb Li Kutan li iglees tz´aqal yaal sa´ xb´een li ruchich´och.
(I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on the earth)
Ninnaw naq Lix Hu Laj Mormon a´an tz´aql yaal. Yaal ajwi´ Li Santil Hu.
(I know that the Book of Mormon is true and the Bible is true as well)
Ut Lix Hu Laj Mormon mas nikinixtenq´a sa´ lin yu´am.
(And the Book of Mormon helps me a lot in my life)
Ninye´ eere li waatin a´an xk´aba li Jesukristo. Amen.
(I say to you this, my word, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen)
Crazy right!!!!
Well I hope I can get all that down really quickly, I guess we will find out. I expect it to take me at least 2 to 3 more changes. Well I love you all and I hope you have a great week!!!
Stay Strong.
Keep the Faith.
Love Elder Smith

P.S. We live in the church...you can see it if you zoom in really far in the very first picture. It's on the hill in front that you can see. The big white building....ha we were really high up when I took the picture.