For everyone,

Captain´s Log; Well I´ve been in Rio for about 3 weeks. Had a great weekend in a big conference with about 80 other missionaries in my area. It was great and luckily it hasn´t rained to much. Anyone reading this that knows another foreign language fluently, you´re great. This is tough but Im thankful for every improvement in my vocabulary, pronunciation and comprehension. I´ve never gotten up at 6:30 for more than 2 days straight until these past 3 months. Its not bad once you get used to it but Im not sure if I´ll keep this habit after my mission! We´re teaching a lot and I love meeting and getting to know the members of the church here. I dont understand 100% of what they say sometimes but they have nothing to say but nice things. Im starting to get more familiar with the streets and neighborhoods in our area. We´re in different parts a lot but the benefit of walking a couple hours every day is that I get to see a lot. I still havent seen a Burger King but I´ve seen some different pizza places so Im excited to try that out soon. I havent had real Brazilian pizza yet. Probly not all that different but I doubt its as good as Pizza King. Well the New Batman movie has come out and so the struggle begins of not having someone spoil it for me for about 21 more months.

My spiritual thought for the week is simply the importance of the simple things. Praying and reading the scriptures everyday. Acts of kindness and service for everyone. Remembering to repent and forgive others when they´ve done you wrong. And perhaps most importantly, remember to tell your friends, family, significant other, and even strangers that you love them. I love you guys and am glad that someone other than my parents are actually reading this haha.

With root beer and love,

Elder Jared Knotts

To whom it may concern,

2 weeks in Rio and the weeks have flown by. Every single meal I´ve had here has been great. Some a little odd but always good! Its been tough with the language but luckily my study and practicing has helped. Some times I understand about 10% of what people say but other times I have 20 minute conversations. Definitely expanding my vocabulary! One of the biggest things I´ve realized is that I complain way too much haha! My problems seem large and daunting every day but then I go to sleep and the next day comes. I made it through. Yesterday was tough but Im here today typing this email. Obviously the Lord loves me enough to help me keep going. The work has been work but its been fun. Ive met some great people and enjoy all of the members of the church in my area. My cooking skills havent improved very much but Im sure my family will be glad to hear that Im cleaning the apartment every day and keeping myself out of trouble. I cant believe how much english music I hear here! A wide range of recent all the way to 80s rock! It was a pleasure to hear my favorite Carly Ray Jensen song yesterday, Call Me, Maybe! Sorry if some of my past blog/email things have been boring but I´ll be working to improve that as well.

Before I go I´d like to share a short thought I had Sunday during the Sacrament at church. While the Priesthood was passing, I thought about things I could do better this week. As I thought about things I could do better, I thought briefly about the things that I lack. I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and love as I pondered and remembered the love and sacrifice of my Savior. I don´t know the situations and religious beliefs of every person that is reading this but I can share shortly my knowledge and the thoughts that came to me. I can never give up or stop trying at anything that I love. ESPECIALLY when its difficult. And this is because my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will never give up on me. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love. I´m thankful for this opportunity to serve and can proudly say that the hardest work is the best work and the only thing worth doing. I love you all and hope that you are doing well.


Fish and chips,
Elder Jared Knotts

Mission Pres. Lima and his wife with the group of Elders in Rio.

Redentor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_(statue)

Hi everyone!

Finally in Rio and it is incredible! I was only by the beaches and mountains and the Huge Redentor for a day but it was amazing! Im now serving in Iraja and my mom should have my new address for everyone. It will be my adress for the rest of my mission. We are walking a lot and riding the buses pretty often and its great. It feels good to be out and aout finally teaching and working hard. Im glad to say that I havent eaten anything yet that I didnt like. All of the people here are super nice and encouraging. No one speaks English but its helping my Portuguese and my patience at the same time. We talked to a woman yesterday that thought I was German becuase of my blonde hair. Unfortunately I dont speak German but it was a funny experience. Im doing well and hope that everyone back at home is doing well also. Ill be able to write some more next week when I have more time!

Elder Knotts

Here is his address:

Elder Jared Anthony Knotts
Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission
Rua Dois de Dezembro 78 Salas 703/704 Flamengo
22220-040Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brazil

For everyone,

One week till Rio and I couldn't be more excited! Its the 4th of July tomorrow so a big shout out to Caleb Masters! Sorry if I forget 98% of everyone's birthday but I do remember that one haha. Well its been a good week and i've seen a noticeable difference with the language. I'm reading in the scriptures only in Portuguese now. Still not understanding everything, but I'm getting there. I've also been working out every gym day and my diet has improved an incredible amount. I do really miss the late night runs to Bdubs and Steak and Shake after chapter with the brothers though. We walked around our area a little bit yesterday for about 3 hours. It was like 70 and everywhere is super hilly. It was a good time though. I'm excited to get to Rio and stop sitting in a classroom all day. I'll get my new adress next week so I'll put that in my next email and have my Mom put in on Fbook. Hopefully I can figure out how to send all of my pictures home soon too so I have proof I'm in Brazil. I'm still really confused by most of the food but I'm definitely not near as picky as I was a couple years ago. I'm sure my Mother will be happy to hear that. I'm not cooking my own meals yet but I guarantee I'll be able to do rice and beans when I get home. We have it every single day. Well I miss you guys and hope to hear from you soon!

Elder Jared Knotts

Elder Knotts also included this note to me that I HAVE to share: 

Several years ago when I was like 4 or 5, I remember laying on your bed in the old house and reading the Friend with you. We got to a story about Helaman's stripling warriors and I told you I wanted to be one for Halloween. You were super excited to make me a really awesome costume! There is a picture of it in one of the photo albums. I'm standing by the front door and the outfit is brown and green, I think, and I have a sword and shield. You might remember that. If you can find it, I would appreciate it if you could scan it and make it my new profile picture on Fbook. I started out young and now I'm finally one of the Lord's stripling missionaries.

JUNE 26, 2012

Hi everyone,
This last week I recieved a big package of about 20 different emails from some of you wonderful people back at home. I really appreciate it and reading your thoughts and feelings was great and really lifted my spirits. The only bad part is that I don't have any adresses so if anyone would like me to write them, just have my mom email me your adress and I'll try and write and postcardas many people as I can. My adress is gonna change soon so it'll be nice to have yours. I've had a great week and the language is coming along well. Some days I feel really good about speaking and reading Portuguese and then I speak to someone and understand only about half they say. But thats ok. Its humbling and makes me wanna work a lot harder. Met someone hear that has heard of Ball State. Best part is that all they knew was the BSU "Butt-slapper" and the shooting in the village from this past semester haha. I'm glad BSU is really on the map for some awesome things. I'll be honest though. I miss it and all of the great guys on the 8th floor, the friends from the YSA Branch, chamber choir and statesmen and of course the great brothers of Phi Mu Alpha. I hope you're all enjoying the warm weather in the US. Its in the 60's everyday here cause its "winter" but I don't mind. I see people wearing sweaters and hats and jackets everyday and I'm wearing a short sleave shirt. Well its been a good P Day so far and I hope to hear from you guys again here soon!

Love and waffles,
Elder Knotts

This is Elder Knotts' mother again, guess I should have thought of this....so from now on when you send me a letter for him, please include your snail mail address so he can write you back!! Here is my email again (jknotts2347@frontier.com ) I've been printing them on fun paper and mailed a bunch to him at a time. I NEED MORE when you get a chance!! Thanks so much!