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