Pictures

So we had a really great week with a baptism Sunday! We've met some really awesome people the past couple weeks and its been great. Transfers were yesterday and I will be staying in Irajá for 6 more weeks. It'll be great to stay here for Christmas and the New year. I'm super excited to skype my family on Christmas. This will be the first time seeing them (except for photos) in over 7 and a half months. The rain here has been wild. It gets really hot in the morning and afternoon and then rains in the evening and night. It got over 105 F a couple times this week again. We're going to the zoo today because its our day to relax so Im pumped for that. I will send pictures next week. So one thing that is a little different about Christmas here is pretty cool. They have a huge dinner Christmas Eve and then play games and hang out until midnight. Then at midnight they open up presents and do stuff until 2 or 3 and then they sleep in late on Christmas and then visit family or whatever Christmas night. I'll be excited to experience Christmas a little bit different here in Brazil. 

So for the spiritual thought, I've thought about one of my favorite talks. It talks about how sometimes our pride and misunderstanding leads us to believe that we always know what is best for us, when in reality, God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, love us and have a plan for us. Just a quick cut from the talks says the following; 

God uses another form of chastening or correction to guide us to a future we do not or cannot now envision but which He knows is the better way for us. President Hugh B. Brown, formerly a member of the Twelve and a counselor in the First Presidency, provided a personal experience. He told of purchasing a rundown farm in Canada many years ago. As he went about cleaning up and repairing his property, he came across a currant bush that had grown over six feet (1.8 m) high and was yielding no berries, so he pruned it back drastically, leaving only small stumps. Then he saw a drop like a tear on the top of each of these little stumps, as if the currant bush were crying, and thought he heard it say:

“How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. … And now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me. … How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”

President Brown replied, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.’”

This story that he relates is quoted and used in this talk;

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/as-many-as-i-love-i-rebuke-and-chasten?lang=eng&query=many+love+rebuke+chasten

I have realized many instances in my life when I thought that what I wanted was best for me but that Heavenly Father always knows what I need and when I need it. The trials that are at times extremely difficult and seem overwhelming are actually loving experiences that are given to us to help us grow. I invite you to review difficulties you have experienced recently and also in the past that seemed at the time like a punishment but actually helped you. I know that as you do this, you will realize and grow in appreciation for the miracles that have truly blessed your life.

Well I really hope everyone is having a great Christmas break and enjoying the cool weather. I look forward to hearing from you soon and hope to hear of the blessings and great things going on in your lives.

Chillin out, maxin and relaxin all cool, 

Elder Jared Knotts

For everyone,

Its been super hot almost every day this week. Its gotten up to over 100 F almost every day and 112 on Saturday. Definitely the hottest I've ever experienced! Its almost time for transfers and Christmas is almost here. I'll be able to skype my family for Christmas so of course I'm excited for that. We talked to a lot of people this week about the Christmas season and what they really want for their families. Almost everyone says health which I totally understand with how hot its been. I've been here in Brazil for 7 months and of course its flown by. The semester for school is almost over for you guys and its weird to think about where I was, what I was doing and how cold it was a year ago from today. I havent seen it yet but I hope everyone gets a chance to see the Christmas Devotional on the church website lds.org. I heard it was really good. We have our Christmas dinner at church Saturday so I'm pumped for that. Yesterday was Stake Conference so we had church in a different area with almost 600 members of the church. It was really nice to meet a bunch of other members from other near by cities. 

Spiritual thought today is about faith. For me, faith helps to overcome doubts, questions and fear of things we dont understand. Many times its difficult to believe in something you cant see or dont understand. It can be difficult to look at the future with hope that problems will get better. Faith, which is believing with out seeing, helps us to have confidence in Jesus Christ and that He will help us as long as we are obedient and humble in our struggles. Its difficult to have faith when walking on a weak bridge. We can have confidence in God and His perfect Son. Christ is a sure foundation whereon if men build, they can not fall.

Well I hope you're enjoying the cold of winter in the US. Summer is just getting started here and I hope you have a great week.

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon,

Elder Jared Knotts

So it was a good week and its December now which is weird. Almost 7 months and yes, of course its flown by. I never really know what to say in these letters/emails. Tons of stuff happens every day but its hard to share everything. So we met some new people that are taking an english class and so we helped them a little and talked to them. Everyone here asks about the cultural differences but theres a lot of things similar. I'm gonna take more pics of the different food here so I can show everyone. I had lasagna yesterday so that wasnt too different. She just used ham instead of ground beef but its really good either way. Maybe questions from you guys could make this a little more interesting. Almost anything you wanna ask about, I'll answer. They've got this soda here thats pretty sweet. Its called Guaraná and there are several different types but its all the Guaraná brand. Its kinda like a cola but its a lot sweeter. We're gonna play some basketball today at the church cause we have free time every Monday. My companion is from California and loves to play basketball so we're gonna play to releave stress and excercise. I think my spelling is getting a lot worse so dont be surprised about the weirdly phrased sentences and errors. The language is great but sometimes I forget a word in english and I have to ask my companion what it is in english. Its all good though.

So I dont have a lot of time for a spiritual message of the week cause I gotta leave right now. I was thinking about how important it is that we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ. Its impossible for miracles and blessings to happen without a confidence that He exists, loves us and wants to help us. I know that as we study the scriptures and pray for guidance, we will find His help and strength in our lives. The Spirit will touch our hearts and bear testimony of the reality of the Son of God. 

Its morphing time,

Elder Jared Knotts 

This is part of Elder Knotts' letter to me (his mom):

Miracles are happening and I definitely feel like I'm growing personally. I really liked the scripture that you shared about Simon Peter kneeling at Christ's feet. It reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures Luke 15: 11-32 about the Prodigal's Son. I've read those verses more times than I can count and love them more each time. I cant explain how I feel when I read that parable. Its something only the Spirit can discribe. As I ponder on the scriptures, I think of the love our Savior has for us and the overwhelming peace that comes to me as I think of how blessed and priveleged I am to have a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Baptism and temple covenants have and will help me to be what the Lord wants me to be. Many times this week I've had experiences that I could have easily complained about or gotten mad or upset and I didnt. I reflect on this past week and SEVERAL experiences in my life where I was upset, hurt, sad or angry about something that happened to me and didnt learn the lesson that Heavenly Father was blessing me with until much later. Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us because He knows us. Situations in the past that I was angry about something, I know realize that I was extremely ungrateful, immature and selfish. I thought that what I wanted was what was best for me. The Savior invites us to ponder it out in our minds and hearts and then ask God if it is right. When we lack wisdom, ask God. (James 1:5) Never. Never will the Lord give us something that isnt for our good and personal progress. "...know though, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (DandC 122:7). I am just know starting to realize and scratch the surface of the blessings that seemed like punishments but, in the wisdom of God, are for my eternal good. I think about experiences in my life and how Heavenly Father has protected me and guided me away from evil. Unfortunately, our knowledge doesnt always line up with our actions. I am eternally grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the confidence that He has in me and the opportunity He has given me to serve. I am so imperfect but just like the Prodigal's son, "...Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."(Luke 15:18-19) The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real and true. All of us have sinned against heavan but as the Savior promises, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). I think of the primary song that says 

"I’ll seek the Lord early while in my youth,
And he will help me to know the truth.
I’ll search the scriptures and find him there,
Then go to our Father in fervent prayer.
I’ll seek the Lord early, and I’ll obey
His living prophets in all they say.
I’ll keep his commandments; his love will abound.
I will seek the Lord early, and he will be found."