My talk on Be of Good Cheer that I gave last Sunday.

Preparing this topic was such a good experience for me so I thought I would share what I compiled:

We are all very aware of the state the world is in right now, and even more close to home, the state of our country, our state, and the tough spots many of us are in due to finances, sin or other misfortunes.

President Monson said,
“It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful of what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the world and in our lives.”
And later he says, “We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”2

I’ve never really thought about that statement as much as I have in preparation for this talk, we ARE so we might HAVE JOY. How cool? We exist so we can be happy. I think about my perspective as a mother and I would do anything for my babies to be happy. Sometimes I wish I could shield and protect them from anything that might cause them pain or sadness, I know I can’t. I can’t guard them day in and day out to avoid them falling down and getting hurt, I can’t make it so they make all the decisions that lead to happiness. I know they have to learn for themselves and all I can do is guide them. Heavenly Father has given us a guide and wants our happiness just the same. Realizing our Heavenly Father’s great desire is for us to be happy is the first important principle.

So how do we make this life a happy one despite our trials?
1. Do things that make us happy
2. Have faith and trust in God
3. Serve others
4. Decide to be happy.


1. Do things that make us happy.
I read a talk from Elder Kikuchi from the seventy that had an impression on me. When he was mission president in Hawaii, he instructed his elders and sisters to:
a. • Rise from his bed early—in his case, a few minutes before 6:30 a.m.
b. • Exercise for a few minutes.
c. • Wash his body and shave—make himself clean.
d. • Dress for the day.
e. • Go to a quiet place inside his apartment.
f. • Kneel, subdue his spirit before Heavenly Father, and call upon Him. Talk with Him in reverent prayer.
g. • Wait for His holy inspiration, pondering the scriptures or a recent general conference talk and think about the specific problems he faced.
I pondered this and realized that the days that I take the time to do the things that make me feel good, I am usually in a better mood. To his list I would add a few chores to keep the house in order, some special time for each member of the family and maybe a hobby of my own that makes me excited. That’s a lot to accomplish so if it doesn’t all happen everyday, its fine! Just keeping goals and trying to nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits will help us have a brighter outlook when times our tough.

2. Have Faith and Trust in God.
The sub-title says:
“Be of Good Cheer, the future is as bright as your faith.”
The future is as bright as our faith…

Elder Snow of the Seventy said,
“At times we may feel that our personal lives are unraveling from the natural consequences of living in a fallen world. The agency of man allows the introduction of chaos into lives that long for order, and nothing can seem more hopeless than the tattered lives of those we love. Can they, or we, ever be rescued? Is there any hope for them, or us? In moments of such despair, the priceless promise of God’s deliverance brings hope to troubled hearts.
No prophet has framed it more simply than did President Gordon B. Hinckley in the program for Sister Marjorie Hinckley’s funeral: (and I can just picture President Hinckley saying this) “It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”2 President Hinckley’s optimism for the future is rooted in his firm knowledge that the Lord’s promises of deliverance are sure.”
What a wonderful blessing talks can be. Our lives are a little risky right now. With my husband in school, we are putting a lot of faith in businesses and things we do not have much control over. But president Hinckley repeats twice, “He will not forsake us” So each day we CAN wake up happy. We aren’t sentenced to a life of worry and fear. We CAN just have faith, be happy, and keep doing our best. He will not forsake us.
I was in Seattle last weekend visiting a friend and I heard a little story that illustrated faith so beautifully and I’m going to tell it the best I can from memory:
A father was journeying on a train with his little daughter, who was blind, on his lap. After many hours had passed, his friend joined him and asked if he could take his daughter for a few minutes and give him a rest. The father agreed. Once his daughter was safely on his friends lap the father asked her, “do you know who has you?” And she said “No but I know that you know”
We may not know how things are possibly going to work out in our favor but if we trust in Heavenly Father, we can have peace that he knows.
I repeat President Monson’s words, “The future is as bright as our faith.”
3. Serve others:
Ether 12:4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

So the scripture says that those who believe in God are sure, steadfast, and always abounding in good works which leads them to glorify Him. So that would mean the opposite of a disciple of Christ is unsure, fearful, and self-centered which leads us nowhere. Looking outside ourselves to see others pain and trying to remedy that, to act as the Lords hands and mouthpiece can cause nothing but what I like to call the warm fuzzies. Perfect happiness.
President Monson’s stories in his talk, “Be of Good Cheer” and all the real life sufferings we hear daily help us see our problems as obsolete – not unimportant- but just normal problems and instead of dwelling on those, we can pick ourselves up, get out the door and try to help someone else.
I had a Bishop at BYU help me through a rough time. Each time I saw him he encouraged and inspired me to try different things and to really learn to pray etc… Finally I was happy to report to him that I felt a true change of heart and I was very happy and at peace. His words to me I’ll never forget. He said (in his British accent), “Ok love now go and run the Lord’s errand”.

4. Finally we can decide to be happy.

Outside of those people who may be suffering from clinical depression or similar disorders that may need help of a professional, we can decide our attitude about everything.

I once attended a devotional of Sheri Dew. She spoke of “verbal litter”, what trail do you leave behind when you say things because you are in a bad mood? What Spirit does that bring to your home? What kind of a trail do you want to leave behind you?”

For some reason I think of road rage and telemarketers. We always think we can just be rude on the road, but what if when we get cut-off instead of honking and yelling, just assume this person had to get somewhere fast and forgive? What if we recognize that these people are just trying to be good at their job and just decide to be kind. Wouldn’t that be nice for a change for them and bring a better Spirit into our hearts?

The perfect example of making the decision to be happy despite trials is very close to my heart. My little cousin Ashley was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was just a few months old. The side effects from the heavy medicines and chemo left her very weak and tiny. Her lungs were hit the hardest. She carted around an O2 tank as big as her for years and years. There were countless problems besides that. I used to feel sorry for her. All of us grew up dancing and playing but she always took joy in our accomplishments and loved to watch and cheer us on. She died a couple of years ago at the age of 19 and her mother found her diary shortly after. Every single entry started with the words - “I had a good day today”. Little Ashley always had the answer. She told herself she was happy and she had a good day, couldn’t we with our healthy bodies and busy lives just be strong enough to decide to have a good day just like Ashley?

Anyone’s situation can change in a second. A sickness can be cured, a well person may become sick, a poor person can gain wealth and vice versa. We have little control over life’s circumstances. We do have control over how we will react to life’s trials.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We have been given the BEST formula for happiness. We will have grief and sorrows. It’s ok to break down and have a bad day, everyone does. But let’s remember that we ARE that we might have JOY. Christ has overcome the world and can help us overcome any problem we might face if we cast our burden upon Him.

cereal on the floor

I have been walking around cereal on the floor for the entire day today. Why? I don't know. How long would it take to sweep it? Two seconds. I do that sometimes. I'll clean my whole house but leave some random something out, like Lydi's sponge rollers on my bathroom counter. They were there for 2 solid weeks. How annoying! I sound like such a slob but I really do like things clean and they drive me crazy! I just never get to it! I get so distracted and do other things until I finally can't take it anymore. So maybe I should go sweep up the Kix. But I really need to go put my make-up on (yes it is 3pm) and switch the laundry. And I wanted to wipe-off the counters first in case anything else falls and to do that I have to finish clearing the little junk that has gathered and go through the mail. You see how it goes. So the cereal has won and it will remain a little longer.

Recovering Shop-A-Holic

I'm Melanie Ellis and I'm a shop-a-holic. I've been clean for way too long. I love to shop. I love the smell of new clothes, the dollar bins at target and digging through crap and finding a treasure. I love showing what I bought to my semi-interested probably mostly faking it husband, even if its something tiny. Well since we became muy pobre (doesn't sound as bad in Spanish) I've had to give up my favorite hobby. But I have found ways to keep the high flowing in. Its kind of like my idea of a nicotine patch for a smoker. When we need something besides groceries for the house I get real excited. For example, our mop fell apart a few weeks ago so I did all my grocery shopping and when I was done I was so excited to move on to the cleaning section. I spent about 15 minutes holding different mops, comparing price and quality and ringer contraptions. It wasn't the full blown excitement that I used to experience with shopping but at least I bought something that isn't edible. I'm afraid of myself in 16 months when Jarom's done with school. I'm afraid I might fall off the wagon permanently. Oh yeah and if you ever like draw my name for Christmas or something, I have two words for you: GIFT CARD.

Clearing the Head

Its crazy. Visiting Stacey in Seattle. A weekend without the munchkins and away from my love Jarom. Everything is so quiet. I am surprised how fast I can swing back into the old carefree self, not even blinking an eye. I have decided that every mom should do this now and again. I worried that somehow I might miss my former free life by revisiting it but I don't think I will at all. This independent, self-centered life has its benefits: sleeping in, reading till all hours of the night, walking around stores with no need to get back, watching chick flicks, staying up late and laughing with my Stace... but instead I am able to treasure my kids more. I'm able to remember all the love and joy they bring to me. It really makes me appreciate Jarom too. I have that guy I always dreamed of when I was single. He loves me so much and he is the best father and husband. When you're married and stressed like Jarom and I have been, it is so easy to forget why we fell in love. Its easy to become a very functional couple. I pride myself in getting things done and taking care of our children. I think I will return to Queen Creek more committed to making the little things a priority. Making sure worrying about when our next paycheck will come is a reality we have to face with work and faith and not worry and contention. Its like I'm looking at my life from someone else's eyes being so far removed from it. I have always loved learning from others and something that Stacey has taught me in this little trip is just happiness. Any situation can change in a second. The person with no financial worries can be begging on the street tomorrow. Its how we experience each circumstance that makes us stronger and isn't that what this life is all about? Its funny though, as I write this it sounds pretty lame. I mean I've heard it all before and I've always believed this way. In fact, I thought I was doing alright at being happy and pressing on but now the weight behind this idea is just greater. It makes more sense to me and I feel like I can truly make a change. I think when I get home Jarom will like me so much that he won't mind watching the kids for another weekend next year... we'll see about that one!! (hey but that is a good tactic) oh and anyone who might be afraid of leaving their kids (afraid they'll miss them too much- that was my fear) shouldn't be. I miss them terribly. I want Jack to toddle up these stairs and I think of Lydi whenever I see a dog or a princess BUT I almost feel that I am halfway doing this for them too. I'm sure my patience will be greater and my fuse longer when I return . I just want to bite little Jack's cheeks and squeeze Lydi till she pops! But I will soon. Just a couple more days of clearing out the junk. Oh and Jarom is going to have way more kisses when I get home too. So thank you to my BFF Stace for flying me up here to hang out and laugh and learn. She's got a great life and so do I.

Line up for some free eggs...

I am prideful. I don't like welfare. I appreciate its purpose as a means to an end but I hate being in this position. I've heard it said that there is always a price you pay for "free" stuff. I think the price you pay is freedom. I seriously just had my kids poked and prodded and weighed and measured like cattle while I sat in a waiting room full of people with an angry social worker who had no sympathy for my one year old who didn't want to cooperate. All for some eggs, milk, and peanut butter. Just know that I'm sorry I use people's tax money right now and I hate it and as soon as Jarom graduates we will pay whatever price for health insurance, we'll buy all the peanut butter we can afford, and then pay through the nose in taxes to pay back and support other people who are hopefully going to contribute to society one day.

mint chocolate chip icecream

I wonder if men know about a mommy's comfort treats. You know, that one treat you have (or two or three) each day to wind down and feel in control. I feel in control when everyone is gone or the kids are asleep and I sneak in the freezer to get me a scoop of that luscious mint chocolate chip icecream. No kids are begging for a bite, no husband is saying are you going to get me some, or gees! you've eaten almost that whole carton by yourself because I haven't had any! Its just me and the icecream. To enhance the moment I watch a re-run of so you think you can dance or read my harry potter. I just wanted to remember this moment and cherish it because I am just about to grab a scoop. Hubby is studying (bless that man), kids are snoozing, and I am going to be diving into a green and black mountain of pure deliciousness. (I know mom... I'm supposed to be on the Body for Life diet, there's always tomorrow).

Why am I starting this blog?

I don't know. One day I woke up and decided I wanted to write a blog that is totally me. Family blogs are great but I am always careful about what I write and I feel all this pressure to show how cutesie my family is and spell everything right. I named this blog Melgo's Thoughts because I am Melgo. Deep inside thats the girl I am and always want to be. Sister Ellis, Melanie, Miss Melanie, and Mel are fine but Melgo is totally goofy, careless, and laid back. My grandpa gave me that name when I was little and it stuck. People who knew me when I was Melgo knew that I was messy, funny, and chill. People who met me as Melanie, or even worse: Sister Ellis, probably think I am somewhat stressy with all the jobs I juggle and how I can get caught up in keeping up with the Jones's or in this case, the perfect mormon mommies who don't exist. I'd like to take myself back to the old school and just be who I am and write about whatever random thing is on my mind pretending that no one is reading this. So stay tuned to hear some of my most deep and most shallow, most spiritual and secular, most opinionated and stupid, exciting and boring random stories and thoughts.