I feel like I say this a lot but the time is flying by. Another school year will be ending for you guys here soon and I'm closing up on my 1 year mark. My Portuguese has gotten way better and have little to no problems with the language in a couple months. Obviously, I'm still not perfect of course but its definitely better. Just need to lose my American accent which is kinda tough because my voice is deep. Thats ok though. March has cooled down and its not been near as hot here. Its rained a little bit more but usually the weather is beautiful. I've been working pretty hard and I know the blessings will come. We here often that no effort is wasted. Every person we try and help, if they accept or not, is a worthy effort. Makes me glad to think that no matter what happens, my work is always worth the time and effort. We've been trying to use our time more wisely and effectively to not waste time. Its crazy how fast a week goes by.

So the spiritual message of the week is from a talk from GC by President Eyring from April of 2004. I've thought frequently on the message he shares. The difficulties of life can often seem overwhelming, undeserved and impossible to overcome. And sometimes this is true but as President Eyring shares, he speaks of the privelge and opportunity we have to benefit from "the strength of the Lord". He says the following, 

"But the test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and whatever the tumult around us. We have that clear understanding because the restored gospel makes the plan of happiness so plain.

That clarity lets us see what help we need. We need strength beyond ourselves to keep the commandments in whatever circumstance life brings to us. For some it may be poverty, but for others it may be prosperity. It may be the ravages of age or the exuberance of youth. The combination of trials and their duration are as varied as are the children of our Heavenly Father. No two are alike. But what is being tested is the same, at all times in our lives and for every person: will we do whatsoever the Lord our God will command us?

I think of this often and thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings of the gospel in my life. The knowledge that I have and comfort and strength that I draw from it, help me to not only "endure" my problems but to "endure them well". I know that this is true. I know that if we are willing to seek the Lord and accept His will for us, we can not only deal with our problems but truly overcome them.

Well I hope you guys are doing great and enjoying the daily joys of life. Just remember that you're great and I love you guys!

Elder Jared Knotts