HI everyone,
Unfortunately, I have not found any root beer here. They have some other pops but nothing is even close. I'm not sure where my first area in Rio will be but I'll let everyone know as soon as I get there. I'll switch companions pretty often. Over the 2 years, I'll probly have 10 or 12 different companions. Definitely some variety. Probly the hardest thing about being away from home is the little contact I have with all of my friends but I know that they're doing well and that I'll see them when I get back. The couple letters occassionaly from everyone is really nice. I'm glad to be here and learning the language is going great. The food is still pretty confusing sometimes but I recognize probly 75% of it by this point. Some of its pretty Americanized. The weather is beautiful and I'll definitley be sending tons of pictures back as soon as I can. Its their winter here so its cold for them but its only in the 50s some days. It doesn't always rain here, but when it does, its pretty crazy. I'm doin well and learning a lot. Made some good friends so far and have had the opportunity to sing a little bit. I miss the music back home so much! Catch myself humming Sinfonian tunes every once in a while. I hope everyone is doing great and I hope to hear from you soon!

Elder Jared Knotts

Here is part of the letter he sent me (his mother):

I'm trying to be more wise. I feel like this time here has been really good but I wanna make the last 3 weeks (at the Missionary Training Center) the best. I'm trying to eat healthier and not buy any junk food and I'm working out a lot more. I'm only buying things that I know I will want and will be able to keep for hopefully the rest of my life. Its been a good week and it really flew by! I sang Sunday night for everyone. I sang the first verse and then the choir sang 2 and 3 and I sang the beginning on the 4th verse both times in Portuguese for the song "O Meu Pai" or the song Oh My Father. Great song and I had sooooo many people come up to me after and then the next day. Made me stand a little bit taller and felt good to be recognized a little. Definitely thankful that the Lord helps me with so many things. Our speaker that night was Elder Tanner who is the mission president of a mission here in Brazil and his wife, Sister Tanner who was the General YW President for the whole church just a couple years ago. It was awesome! I talked to her just briefly after and shook her hand. Her talk was really good about How Nephi was commanded to build a boat but he was not a ship builder. Many times we have callings or problems or responsibilities that we don't feel ready for or we feel inadequate but the Lord will always prepare us as we continue to rely on Him. She said something else that really hit me and made me think of you. She said her motto is "I can do hard things." It made me think of your picture by the computer and I teared up a little.....