A 1, a 2, a skiddily diddly doo,

This week flew by! Its crazy how much work you can get done when you wake up at 6:30 every day. Its great to feel like what Im doing is an effective use of my time and efforts. We had another baptism this past Saturday and church yesterday was great as usual. It feels like I wrote my last letter just 2 or 3 days ago. September is almost here and its getting a litt

le hotter. It was in the low 30's this week (so thats like 80's Farenheit). I dont know how to spell Farenheit but thats probably close. The language is still difficult sometimes but Im learning more about patience. Our area is pretty big so we spend a lot of time walking from one appointment to the next but this week we taught a lot of lessons near the church so that was much better. The church is super close to this gigantic grocery store so everyone knows where its at pretty much.

For a spiritual thought today, I was thinking about this song.

"Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed. Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When they need my help was I there?
"There are chances for work all around us now. Opportunities right in our way. Do not let them pass by saying, 'Sometime I'll try' but go and do something today. Tis noble of man to work and to give. Loves labor has merit alone. Only he who has something, helps others to give. To God, each good work will be known.
"Then wake up and do something more than dream of your mansions above. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure. A blessing of duty and love."

Well that was by memory so its probly not perfect but I love this song. Service for others; if they are strangers, friend, enemy, or family, we must have a desire to lift our neighbour. The challenges of this life are impossible to overcome alone and the love that we share through acts of kindness and service, lift up others and ourselves. So do something big like saving a life... or small like giving a hug. Help others and remember this song. Service is a blessing of duty and love!

Well, I hope whoever is reading this is doing well. Hopefully your day is a little brighter from reading about my adventures in Brazil. Its a blast and I hope to share more pictures and experiences with you all soon!

And all that jazz,

Elder Jared Knotts

Pictures!!

Its been a good week as usual. I found out today that I´ll be staying in Irajá for another transfer (6 weeks). Its good to serve here and I really enjoy the families in our ward. It feels great to be waking up, working out, studying and then walking and teaching everyday. It feels like I´ve been here for such a short time and it feels great to see the changes that have occured in just a month and a half. I´ve been more adventerous with my cooking lately. Scrambled eggs and I´m getting pretty good with a blender. Dont laugh. I´m slowly being able to cook more. I can learn a language but fixing dinner isnt so easy haha. I still havent eaten anything weird. Im not too sad about this either. The weather has been beautiful and I might be tanning a little more. Someone asked me this week if I was from Argentina.... not quite. Its really fun speaking and teaching some of the Brazilians some english. Makes me feel a little bit closer to home. Well school is back for everyone now right? Have fun with that haha. I´m sure Christmas Break will be here before you know it.

Well the spiritual thought for the week is about something very close to my heart. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time in Portuguese this week and it has changed my life. If you dont know what it is or why I´ve been reading it, please ask. I know that the BIble is the word of God and that the Book of Mormon is the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The problems in my life, though small at times, have been swallowed up in the love of my Savior and my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know that the teachings and stories within its pages are the source of all truth and happiness in this life because I´ve felt it. Hard to describe and difficult to explain, but true. Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father love us. They know us and know whats best for us. 2nd Nephi 9:51. Just read and find out for yourself.

Well I´m thankful for the prayers and letters of love and support. Thank you for reading and hopefully you learned a little more about me and why I´m serving this "mission".

Never gonna give you up,

Elder Jared Knotts

Well its been just barely over a month in Rio and it couldnt be better. Well thats not true. I dont have any peanut butter or root beer, but other than that its great! I talked to a friend in the ward here this week and they said that in the summer here, December and so, sometimes with the humidity it will get around 110 degrees......... ugh. Luckily I grew up in Indiana where its crazy humid and the forecast doesnt matter (whose line is it anyway reference). But seriously, the weather in Indiana is crazy. But yeah, its been nice here and I got to see the Redentor (crazy big Jesus statue) from a distance 2 times this week and its gigantic. It was Father´s day in Brazil this Sunday so I just wanna give a shout out to my Father, that I love him and am glad that I had 2 Father´s Days this year. To celebrate, we had a huge barbeque at the church and it was awesome. Our ward is about 130 people and it was a good time for sure. Im glad to recieve letters and emails from friends and family about the awesome things that Im totally missing out on in the US! Sounds like everyone had an awesome Summer. Sorry to everyone going back to school this week or sometime soon. Just remember that Im waking up at 6:30 everyday and at least you get to sleep in (except for my wonderful Mother that wakes up at 3:30 everyday).

Spiritual thought of the weeeeeeek! I hope you´re excited about this because I always am! So I had the honor of baptizing a new young woman into the church this past Saturday! It went great and I cant tell you how great it was to be of help. Less than a month ago, we met her (Luciana) and shes about 30. She had smoked for over 10 years every day and in less than 1 month, stopped. I´ve never smoked but Im sure for any of you that have, its pretty tough to stop. Im amazed everyday at the wonderful blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of people around me and especially mine.

Well, I got to sing A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief in church this past Sunday in Portuguese and it went great. Always good to sing. I miss choir a lot more than I thought I would! Everyone have a great week and remember that I love you. Friend, family, stranger or enemy, I love you. That might not mean much through an email but eu amo você. That´s Portuguese for I love you. Have a great week!

Peace, love and root beer,

Elder Jared Knotts

For the Americans from Brazil,

Well the week really flew by. Im really thankful that during their winter here, it doesnt rain very much! Im not really looking forward to all the rain in their summer. Its been beautiful outside though. Im getting some sun but Im still super pale compared to 90% + of the people here haha. I had different people ask me this week if I was German and someone else asked if I was Spanish. And another lady thought I was 28. A couple funny experiences for sure. Sometimes I feel about 4 because the kids speak better Poruguese than I do haha but it is improving a lot! Almost 1 month out of the MTC and Im feeling great about my Porutuguese. My reading comprehension is way hgher than my understanding when people speak but it will all come in time of course. I love learning the similarities between Portuguese and English. Its weird though because they dont really have words for RANDOM and AWKWARD. We use these all the time in english but its fun to find the differences. We say that things are cool when its fun or awesome. Cool doesnt make sense but we know what it means. Here, they say something is legal. Doesnt exactly make sense but legal is their equivalent for cool. We met with several families this week and talked about how we can strengthen our families through, faith, prayer, scriptures, church attendance and other things. The best part is seeing the lives of people change for the better!

So my spiritual thought for today is about the important things in our lives. Whats most important in our lives? Our families, friends, God, beliefs and morals and whatever else for you personally. There are a lot of distractions in our lives and its so easy to lose time and spend our time doing stuff that doesnt really matter. 2nd Nephi 9:51 has become one of my favorite scriptures on my mission so far. Its so important for us not to waste our time, resources and no value. Feast upon that which perisheth not! Our families, beliefs and especially our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ, will never leave us. Focus on the things that matter most and be happy! Good, better, best.

I hope you´re all enjoying the end of your summers and the heat in the US! I think of you guys often and hope that this blog/journal entry thingies aren´t too boring! I love you and hope to hear from you soon!

Incense and peppermint,

Elder Jared Knotts