May 29, 2012


New message from Elder Knotts:

Hey guys! Brazil is great! I'm studying 8 or more hours almost every day but I'm still getting a tan somehow. Its been incredible communicating with people that do not speak English at all. I spoke with a Chilean Missionary last night that spoke no English and we talked just in Spanish and mostly Portuguese. For all of my Sinfonian's back at home, I'm eating 4 meals a day and not even breaking a sweat. I still haven't found any root beer but the 6 different kinds of fruit juice at lunch is keeping me preoccupied. I think of everyone back home often and I pray for you daily. I hope that you're all enjoying your Summers. Its Winter here and every day is averaging in the 60's. Not too bad I guess. A lot of the candy and food here is super cheap but I payed 13 reals for a small can of shaving cream and thats about $6.50. You win some, you lose some. Luckily I win at everything forever. I hope you're reading this in my voice. I can't wait to hug you guys here in about 100 weeks. Its gonna be GREAT!
Elder Jared Knotts

I am including part of his letter to me because there are lots of great details....

Everything is going really well. I've been praying so much and asking the Lord for help. Its been tough but I'm learning and understanding quite a bit of portuguese. Church is actually all in English because we are seperated into branches here in the MTC. I'm in the 4th English Branch of about 40 people. Its nice though. We also have devotionals on Sunday and Tuesday nights. Those are in English or portuguese with a translator that speaks the other. .... I've seen 1 Area 70 so thats kinda cool. Its awesome going to the temple every Tuesday. We leave early around 7 but its a beautiful temple! Last week I did it all in Portuguese. I didn't understand very much but words here and there were clear. They have a distribution center next to the Temple and I've bought a couple things. I got a hardback BoM in German for 1,40 reals which is about 75 cents! Crazy! I also got a Primary hymnal in Portuguese. Its not as nice as the english ones but it was less than $2. I really wanna get an Italian and French BoM when they get more in. Its been a crazy 3 weeks but I've loved it. Daniel emailed me and we talked a little bit. It was nice to hear from him. I've gotten one letter from a friend back at the YSA but I'm not too worried about letters. I don't have tons of time to write anyway. We're only supposed to write on PDay. I'll have more time when I get into the field. I've been taking some pictures. I'm not sure how I'm gonna send them all to you but I'll figure something out. Thats great that the music at Brother Carmany's funeral was soul stirring. I've missed singing here so so much. I don't get to sing very often but I look at my Portuguese Hymnal and now my Primary Hymnal often to learn Portuguese and the Spirit that the songs bring.