Well I'm gonna start off by saying that I ate buffalo this week and it was actually really good. Its started getting pretty hot again and my face is getting pretty red but the sun screen is helping when I use it. We had a baptism yesterday for 2 young girls that had been going to church for a while. It was a great week and we talked to tons of people and met some new families. Our work is all about helping people but especially helping to strengthen the families of the members and the people we meet. I'll send a couple pics so that you can see some of the people I've met. Luckily some pictures have already been sent and posted. I'm not sure how helpful this weekly letter is but its nice to share a little bit of my experience. 

So for the Spiritual thought real quick. I was thinking about one of my favorite talks from this past conference and I might have already talked about it but oh well. It was a talk by Elder Bednar and he talked about the importance and differences of a testimony and conversion. I thought about my own personal testimony and beliefs that I have but how those beliefs and personal experiences have helped me to become converted. Conversion in my own words is the conviction and desire to follow Jesus Christ and the laws and ordinances He has established. Elder Bednar says, "Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essene of conversion." I know that as we work on a daily basis to excercise our faith and show love for our Heavenly Father and His children, our testimonies will grow and the desire to follow these principles and truly be convereted to the gospel of Jesus Christ will grow within our hearts. The doubts, difficulties and problems that we encounter will be swallowed up in the humble phrase of "...not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39) An assurance and finding confidence in the Lord's promises will help us to be converted and remember the counsel of our Savior when He said, "Doubt not. Fear not." (D and C 6:36)

Well the time is flying by and the next transfer is next week. Thanks for reading again and I hope that your week was as good as mine. Keep the letters coming and I will do my best to respond quickly.

Its morphing time,

Elder Jared Knotts

Pictures

When those feelings of inadequacy strike us, it is the time to remember the Savior. - Henry B Eyring

So it was another chilly week. We had two people in our ward that got their mission calls this week. They're both gonna be serving in Brazil. One in Recife and another in São Paulo North! Our ward has two other missionaries out right now. One in Columbia and another in Argentina. Its great to see more people headed out to serve missions! We have transfers again coming up in 2 weeks so we'll find out if I stay or go again. Not sure whats in store but I'm up for anything. We had a really good week. We met tons of new people and are working a lot harder to try and visit as many people as we can. We had some awesome food this week and I've been doing better with my diet. I havent weighed myself lately but I'll be interested to see if I've lost weight. A lot of people say I look thinner in my pictures. 

Well, without a segue, here is the Spiritual thought for the week. I thought about the modern day Prophets, seers and revelators that lead this church and the important role that they play to help us. A quote from one of these leaders that I respect deeply is President Henry B Eyring and he taught a great lesson that I have and will continue to dillegently improve. He said, "The Prophet Joseph said at one time that one of the greatest sins of which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty is the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a great sin. There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received."

I hope everyone is enjoying the super cold weather and remembers the great things we have in our lives. We have so much to be greatful for. I'm thankful for wonderful family, friends and everyone that reads this blog. Have a great week and I'll be here next week!

Elder Jared Knotts

So this week has been pretty cold ( 70s and 80s) because of the rain. We had another baptism yesterday and found some new families this week. I've been in Irajá for just a little over 6 months! The time has flown by. OH and I was thinking that you guys probably have know idea how to say that name of the city. Irajá is like saying ear + uh + jaw. That was kinda funny to think about spelled out. So my area is pretty big but its hard to describe in square miles. We have about 8 neighborhoods but they're huge. 

I love you guys and I cant wait to hear from you soon!

Elder Jared Knotts

Dec 26, 2012 Hottest day in year 118.4 degree F in Rio

Elder Knotts, Paulo, Elder Ganoe in Jan 2013

Marcelo and Deisy

us in our white ties at New years 2013

left to right is me, Cleber, Lení, Elder Knotts, Paulo, And Ana Claudia in Jan 2013

So this week was really good and only hit 100 a couple days. It rained quite a bit but thats ok. We had some meetings with other missionaries in other areas this week. We had trainings and practiced teaching and how we can be better missionaries. Its great to learn from other people about the princples and doctrine of the Gospel and how I can apply it to my own missionary work in my area. The New Year was pretty wild. Because of all the partying, we had to get home a little earlier. Tons and tons of fire works woke us up at midnight and we watched those for about 20 minutes. I got some sweet pics so I'll try and send some home soon. We had a baptism yesterday and we're working really hard and trying to follow the rules better so we can be more effective with our time. Its been a busy week and we're gonna visit the closest Wal Mart to us today that is probably 30 minutes or so by bus. I live with 2 Americans and 1 Brazilian missionaries, so its been a while since we've seen a Wal Mart. 

So for the Spiritual thought, I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants in Section 84. It says in verses 36-38 that those that receive Christ´s servants, receive Christ, and if they receive Christ, they receive Heavenly Father. And then if they receive God, they receive all that God has. I thought a little about this since I am a representative of Jesus Christ for these 2 years in Brazil. No one wants just some of God's blessings. We strive to receive a fulleness of joy in this life and eternal life with God after we die. To do this, we must strive to except Christ and His will for us. We can achieve this through keeping the comandments of God and improving our lives through; Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. I know this is true. This is a basic path and guidline to find the peace, love and confort that the plan of Salvation has to offer everyone. I love this Gospel and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Seek and ye shall find Him.

Well, I'm gonna send some pics real quick and then grab some lunch. Its been a good week and I hope that this one will be even better. Thank you for your thougths and prayers. I hope that 2013 has started off great for you guys!

Hakuna Matata,

Elder Jared Knotts

More pictures

Thanks for the pic of snow! Havent seen that in a long time. Its crazy to think of the difference in temperature here. This week it got up to 48 C which is about 118 F. Definitely the hottest I've ever experienced in my life. ….Our family is so important. I love each one of you individually and as my family. I got a letter from Valeri Beamer the day of Christmas and pics of her wedding reception. I love and miss Valeri. She is great. …. I had a good week despite the heat. We're working hard…Thinking of the blessings and promises that the temple has to offer makes me realize just how priveleged we are to be part of the restored church of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

 "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven"

Elder Knotts

(I, his mother, sent this pic of the snow to him)