Mindy On A Mission: The One Where Sister Adams Tells Us About Her Love For The Commandments

hello everyone!

Now that it's finally April, i'm posting Mindy's March emails! LOL!

here is her March 6th email

"When you're the teacher but you're being taught..."

Hello Everybody! Happy March!

Today was a week of learning for me. We taught Yunice the rest of the commandments (she has incredible faith!) and all the while that we are preparing to teach her these commandments, I am the one that is being taught. And it was awesome!

One thing that you should know about Hong Kongers (or at the majority of the ones that I have run into) is that they don't think very far into the future. If you ask them what their goals are in life they'll say things like, "get rich." or "I want to pass the DSE (which is like Hong Kong's ACT)." When we missionaries give spiritual thoughts about food storage or emergency preparedness they are always amazed that we think like this! They think it's a great idea, but unnecessary for them. I don't ask them if they've thought about life after death because they probably haven't and don't think it's necessary. It blows my mind a little bit, but then I think about it and I realize that sometimes (more often than I'd like to admit). I forget to think of the future too.

I love the reminder that we get in Alma 34:22 "For behold, this life is the time to prepare to meet God, yea, behold the day of this life is the day for man to perform their labors." In the grand scheme of forever, this life (about 90 years give or take) is actually NOT that long. So, we don't actually have any time to waste when it comes to performing the labors we need to perform and preparing the way that we need to perform. This is why having an "eternal perspective" is important.

As Sister Knapp and I prepared to teach and taught Yunice the commandments, I was constantly filled with a sense of gratitude and love for my Heavenly Father for giving us the commandments that He gave us. Those commandments are the things that are going to prepare us to meet God. Mosiah 2:22 reads,"...all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments.. and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and proper you. How cool is that?! ALL we have to do is keep His commandments and we make it back to live with Him and get tons of blessings now and in heaven later. We really get the best end of this deal!

Let's take the Word of Wisdom for example. God has commanded us through a living prophet to eat more fruit, eat more vegetables, drink water, exercise, and avoid eating too much meat. He has also commanded us to avoid drinking tea, coffee, alcohol, doing drugs, and smoking cigarettes. Why would an all-powerful being care about what we eat or drink?! Why would he give us so many "rules" for our bodies? It's because He loves us a lot!

Our bodies and our spirits are connected. When our bodies are healthy, our spirits are healthier too. So, let's say that someone at the age of 50 or even 30 decides not to worry about taking care of their body anymore. They've lived the Word of Wisdom their whole lives but "i'm old now. I shouldn't have to work so hard." What happens? they've lost their eternal perspective. Heavenly Father could need you to serve on earth for 50 more years! WE decide on how hard and physically exhausting those years will be for us! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave us the Word of Wisdom because through this commandment, I know better how to take care of myself and other around me. I've learned how important my health is to my spiritual growth and hopefully God will be able to use my talents and gifts for as as he needs me to be here on this world.

We have incredible opportunities to help build up God's kingdom, to be His hands while lifting up those around us. I know that Heavenly Father gas us commandments because he loves us and wants to best for us. D&C 33:17 says, "Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom (meaning Christ)." I really hope and pray that we can all remember to have an "eternal perspective". "Remember who you are and where you came from!" Christ is coming soon and I know that through being prepared and living the commandments, we will be prepared to better serve Him and we'll be a blessing and a help to others along the road.

I love you all so much!

Have a fantastic week!

Sister Adams