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