"Be of Good Cheer. The Future is as Bright as your Faith" -President Thomas S. Monson

I have been contemplating quite deeply the last few days the meaning of the simple phrase mentioned over and over again by modern day prophets as well as ancient prophets "Be of Good Cheer", or in todays vocabulary, 'Be Happy'. I have asked myself these questions personally in order to self exam the journey and path that I am on and  and seek improvement in order to truly help me apply this principle, guidance, council and command from Jesus Christ himself and ultimately change, grow, and improve; What does it take on my part to be happy? What is hindering the spirit in my life to allow me not to be my "best" happy? And What needs to change specifically?  

I wouldn't consider myself an unhappy person, or a person that is submersed in soar trials or afflictions. I feel extremely blessed and grateful for the family and friends that I get to surround myself with on a daily basis that exemplify attributes of Christ, and for the spirit guiding me in the areas that I am lacking in. And at this moment I feel like this is something that I am seeking to improve on. Because I know that "Men are that they might have Joy".

I can't recall one exact moment in my life that I have been the happiest, or "the greatest day of my life". I have had most definitely some moments that have stood out to me for instance a few being: Graduating from High School, Moving away to University, Going on a Mission, Seeing someone take the steps to change and prepare for baptism, and seeing my friends and family after an 18 month period of being away in England. These are all moments that have given me profound and significant life changing happiness. But they did not come with out pain and challenge. I didn't know if I was literally going to live through High School, saying goodbye to and moving a distance away from home for the first time was scary, my mission stretched me at several points to the thought that I might break, having friends give up when they just about had it and knew the truth broke my heart,  and seeing my family meant saying goodbye and leaving behind people that I loved more then anything in the whole entire world and leaving an experience that has left a lasting impression on my life and changed me to be who I am.  These happy and cheerful moments have most definitely been key defining and refining moments in my life. They have been hard, by far the hardest things that I have ever done, but in the end the most rewarding, cheerful, and joyful moments of the short life that I have lived so far. 

I love my life and I love being happy. I love being me. I have been strengthened because of my faith, and my ability to seek, ask, and knock. With Faith, nothing is impossible. The Bible dictionary itself states "A lack of faith leads one to despair". We don't want to be sad or despair do we? We want to be happy, in whatever circumstances the Lord sees fit. Whether that is here in Tremonton Utah delivering pizza's and saving money for school, or serving as one of his authorised representatives in England. He wants us to be happy. I have felt this. He wants us all to find joy in the simple and little things in life that really matter. 

 One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon can be found in Mormon chapter 9. In verse 21 it says "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him: and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth". I know that this is true. If we ask for that desire to be grateful and of "Good Cheer" in our circumstances God will grant it unto us. 

My Friends and family, and strangers that may see and read this. The sole purpose of this entry was for me, as I search and strengthen my testimony in the Plan that God has for me as an individual here. As I try daily to be better and "Be of Good Cheer" in all of my circumstances I find myself being truly Happy despite difficulty and adversity. 

I love this Gospel. It opens doors to personal insights and revelation that anyone can receive. I know that it is true. I am grateful for Jesus Christ. He is my Rock and my Redeemer. Because of Him, Who He was, who He is, and what He did, I am strengthened and given great peace, reassurance and happiness. He says directly in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

I Love You All :) 

Mishae Lee Nelson 

Learn More at: Mormon.org

https://www.mormon.org/me/DW6Y/Mishae

Some Very insightful conference talks- Be Of Good Cheer by President Thomas S. Monson

Grateful in Any Circumstance by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

A New Beginning

18 months gone just like that. I feel like I blinked and here I am sitting in Tremonton, working at the local dominos delivering pizza, and attempting to adjust back to life in the same world that I left, but a completely changed and different person. 

When expressing my thoughts on my mission and the "frequently asked questions" all I can say is it truly was amazing. It was the best 18 months for my life. It was cold, wet, hard, exhausting, happy, funny, miraculous, amazing, and basically the best thing ever. I truly loved being a representative of the Lord and not a single day goes by that I don't think about the amazing journey that God blessed me with. 

I could sit here all day and talk about my mission. I am really good at that. I am comfortable with it, I miss it, I would go back in a heart beat, but this post is not necessarily designed for that. Its to start the new adventures and to get back into the present time period that I am living in. I am sure I will share experiences and special stories on here, as well as spiritual insights that I have received as I continue to deepen my faith and conversion. 

This is me. This is my new beginning. This is who I am. 

My name is Mishae Nelson. I am a small town, country loving, princess, with 4 brothers. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am a Return Missionary. I am a Mormon. I am not afraid to say what I know to be true and to be different. I know that this is the truth, the everlasting and fullness of the Gospel and that anyone can truly know these things for themselves. I love it with my whole heart. I will proclaim this with every breath that I have. I know it is true!

                         The crowd at the Salt Lake City International airport that welcomed me home!

            14 October 2015 - One of the hardest days of my life being released as a full time missionary.

            My daddy and mum. I am proud of them. They were the best missionary parents ever.

              and just like that the badge was taken off, the blue jeans were put on and I am back at home. 

                                Heres to the next new and great adventures I am blessed to call my life.