Well the rain this week didnt stop us from working! We had a good week and met a lot of really cool people. I'm stunned on a regular basis at the natural beauty of Brazil. Unfortunately they dont have Thanksgiving here but I hope everyone enjoys the break this week! We've been working with some new families and helping others that want to stop smoking. We have 2 hours every morning to study and my study this week has been focused on the assistance of will power combined with prayer. As we work hard and ask for help, we can change our lives and improve ourselves. Everything is getting pretty Christmasy here already. Santa Claus and lights and Chistmas trees are up just in time for the holidays to start. My wonderful Mother told me about the awesome Ball State newspaper article that was about my service. Thanks to Brittany for writing and everyone that has read it. 

I've thought a little this week about James 1:5. A scripture that is famous in the LDS church and very powerful with the people we teach. I love the part and would like to focus on the line that says "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God".  I am reminded on a regular basis that I dont know everything. I am imperfect and cant do everything on my own. Great comfort is found in this world wide encompassing scripture. All people everywhere lack wisdom at times. How blessed are we that we have a loving Heavenly Father that invites and encourages us to approach Him in prayer and ask for help. I remember a couple experiences before my mission where I didnt know what to do and prayed for inspiration. Few times did I recieve an answer immediately but I know that showing and exercising faith in Christ enables us to recieve blessings from God.

Enjoy Thanksgiving! Give your families a hug and remember that despite the fact that life isnt easy, at least theres pumpkin pie. I love you guys and hope that you're enjoying the cold and winter season.

Stoop kids afraid to leave his stoop,

Elder Jared Knotts

Pictures from Brazil!

So transfers are this week and I will be staying in Irajá with Elder Ganoe again. I'm really excited to be staying because we have a lot going on. There are a lot of people here I know I can help and miracles large and small have happened this week. So with Christmas coming up, some of the people here in Brazil have asked me what I miss. The first thing that came to mind was for sure my family. Br

others, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles and all of the unofficial family I have. I miss you and hope that you're doing well. Also, singing with chamber choir, the Statesmen and the great brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at BSU. Sometimes you just dont know what you got until its gone but Im glad to know that I will be able to serve here in Brazil and then return to all of you great friends and family in the US! This week has been great and my tan lines are pretty awesome. Especially on my neck. Maybe I'll send a pic for everyone to see. So Obama is President again and everyone wants to know how my American companion and I feel about it. I never know what to say other than I'll see how things are in a year and a half when I get home. I'm excited to get the Liahona for this month (church magazine) and read about General Conference. I cant believe its almost Thanksgiving. And no, they dont celebrate that here but they have a couple other holidays this month. Its super interesting the differences and similarities with the culture. Well I will be a little quicker with this letter so I can have time to send pics hopefully.

Spiritual message! So I've been thinking a little about how fear hinders us and courage enables us! I think of many times here in Brazil and countless experiences before my mission when fear stopped me from acting or doing something. Fear of how others will react. Maybe they will laugh or be upset or think of you differently or judge you. Fear is a tool that Satan uses to stop us from progressing. Courage on the other hand is a trait difficult but necessary to make a difference. You must have courage to forgive, to ask for forgiveness, to help a friend with their problem or whatever else. I'm not sure if this is coming out exactly how I wanted it to but I think you get the picture more or less. Have courage to invite a friend to church. Have courage to accept when you're wrong and to change and improve your life. Have courage to "choose the right when a choice is placed be for you." I know that when we have confidence and act with good intentions, we can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.

Well everyone have a great week. Just 7 more days till PDay again when I can tell you about the adventures and experiences here in Brazil.

Black and Yellow,

Jared

http://www.bsudailynews.com/features/mormon-student-takes-time-off-school-for-missionary-work-in-brazil-1.2789238#.UJm8xG9ZV8F

Ball State's Brittany Watson did an article on Elder Knotts.  Thank you Brittany!

Por Meus Amigos em EUA,
November has arrived and I'm one week away from knowing if I get
transfered to a new area or not. We've been working a lot and walking
a little more than usual lately to find and visit more people. We
taught some people this week that have had some tough lives. Problems
with family, drugs and health problems have hurt some of the people
we've met but I know that what we share has the power to help. I'm
glad some of the pictures I've sent have been shared and that you can
see a little glimpse of Brazil. Its absolutely amazing. Thanks again
for everyone that sent birthday cards and letters. I appreciate them
more than you know. To be honest, I miss a lot of really great friends
and family that are in the US but I'm glad that working hard every day
has kept me focused on helping others and working dilligently to make
a difference.

So Spiritual thought message thingy of the week is focused on how our
thoughts and desires make us who we are. Proverbs 23:7 "For as he
thinketh in his heart, so is he." The power of good thoughts and
intentions leads to actions and we can make a positive difference on
friends, family and strangers. And on the other hand, negative
thoughts of anger, grudges and jealousy lead us to rash actions and
regrets. It can be so easy to hurt or heal the people we love. The
impact that our words have is completely underestimated at times. As
we strive to make a positive change in our selves by changing our
thoughts, words and deeds we will make a positive influence on
everyone around us. I know this is true. I know that our Heavenly
Father and Savior want us to be more like Them and this is through
daily strivings to think and then be.

I hope you've enjoyed this weekly update of my adventures and progress
here in Brazil. Look forward to many many more weeks of this. Almost 6
months here! I love you and hope you are enjoying the chilly weather
of Autumn. Drink a root beer for me!

I've got those moves like Jagger,

Jared