Books & CDs

“The Star Leads Us to Him”

It’s the end of Christmas Day and the family is bored. Holly comes up with a great idea to do service as a family and write a note on the back of her large paper star. She then folds it up and mails it off to her brother, serving a mission in Brazil, for him to do service as well. The star travels all over the world with people doing service and sending it on. The following Christmas she is amazed at how much goodwill it had inspired. Her mother notes how wonderful it was that the star led everyone to Christ. She encourages Holly to continue the tradition.

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“The Mismatched Nativity”

When a young boy moves cross-country to a new home just before Christmas, he feels lonely and homesick for his old friends. But his Primary teacher has an idea to help him feel loved and accepted. The other children in the class will take turns bringing different pieces of a nativity set to their new classmate and will offer their friendship by doing something to show how much they care. With delightful illustrations by Shawna J. C. Tenney, this charming story will inspire families to start their own Christmas tradition of a mismatched nativity.

A parents’ guide at the end of the book provides suggestions for activities that can be done individually or in Family Home Evening lessons to help children learn more about the participants in the first Christmas.

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“When I’m a Missionary”

Merrilee’s latest – a wonderful children’s book for boys and girls to help them prepare to be a missionary when they grow up.

Lacey and Julian’s brother has just returned from his mission, and they’re excited that he’s home again and excited to learn how to be missionaries themselves. With help from their older brother, parents, and extended family, the children practice some of the skills and habits they will need as full-time missionaries. From dressing appropriately for church to serving others, and from daily scripture study to learning basic skills for cooking, cleaning, and even sewing buttons on clothing, they discover how preparing to be a missionary can start with the things they do every day. Follow the adventures of Lacey and Julian as they discover the challenges and the rewards of missionary service and learn all about becoming great missionaries.

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“Will My Child Be Ready?  Missionary Prep for Moms”

A missionary’s training does not begin when he or she enters the doors of the MTC. Well before that, each missionary’s mother can begin laying the groundwork that will prepare her child to diligently and wholeheartedly serve the Lord and His children.

Mothers have an immeasurable influence and a significant responsibility in raising up young men and women who are prepared to do the work of the Lord. The good news: that responsibility can begin wherever you and your child are on the path of preparation. Whether your child is two, eight, or eighteen, this unique resource written by mothers who have sent children on missions (and some who have also served as mission presidents’ wives) will help you build the foundation of faith, endurance, and hard work that every missionary needs.

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“12 Gifts for Christ”
	Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Christ and a time for giving. In the middle of this busy season, it is easy to forget the very reason why we celebrate. The first Christmas began with gifts of light and gold. This Christmas, ask: What gifts can I give to Him?In 12 Gifts for Christ, author Merrilee Boyack suggests ways we can give to the Savior, including having gratitude, sharing through service, and loving others. With examples of these gifts shared through personal stories, scriptures, activities, and family home evening lessons, she suggests presenting those gifts to Christ in letters placed in stockings or brightly wrapped boxes. Following the ideas of this book will truly add joy to the spirit in our hearts and homes during Christmas!Buy now from Amazon.com
“Standing Up In a Sit Down World” “It is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others.” —President Gordon B. HinckleyEvery single good thing you do can make a difference because the power of one person is immense. One person can change a home. One person can change a community. One person can even change the world.Buy now from Amazon.com   “Book of Mormon Children” Even your youngest readers will love these scripture stories! From Anna to Zahara, you’ll meet new friends and see your favorite Book of Mormon heroes in a whole new light. And with scripture passages, activities, and fun facts to go along with each story, this book is a perfect companion for family scripture study, primary, or family home evening. Buy now from Amazon.com  “Waterfall Memories:  A Parable of Motherhood” Motherhood grabs you in the first moment… And it is an awe-inspiring feeling as the dawning realization hits. You are to be a mother. Merrilee Browne Boyack brings you a heartwarming parable of motherhood that will bring to mind all the wonderful memories you have or can expect from being a mother. A wonderful gift for mothers everywhere. Buy now from Amazon.com  “In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying!” What do you do when the storms of life leave you battered and bruised? When life seems chaotic on every level and there is no relief in sight? When the very worst thing you can imagine happens to you? When author Merrilee Boyack faced a series of difficult trials – including a diagnosis of cancer – she had to confront those questions head-on. Drawing from her own experience, Merrilee shares the valuable lessons she learned about overcoming adversity, finding physical and spiritual healing, and embracing joy. She reminds us that in trying times there are things you can change and things you can’t change – but you always have choices. In her most powerful book to date, Merrilee Boyack examines the essential choices that confront each of us in trying times and offers insight and encouragement for us to just keep trying. Buy now from Amazon.com

“Toss the Guilt and Catch the Joy”
	Are you tired of worrying about things you can’t control? Do you feel distracted or overwhelmed by the daily demands of living? Do you wonder if it’s even possible to make space in your busy life to become the person you really want to be? In her down- to- earth style, popular author and speaker Merrilee Boyack presents eight pairs of contrasting characteristics, inviting women to consider their own tendencies: Faithful or fearful? Focused or distracted? Peaceful or worried? She then discusses how we can move from where we are to where we want to be without feeling guilty or discouraged.Buy now from Amazon.com

“52 Weeks of Fun Family Service”
	Tired of the “Me- Me- Me” syndrome? Want your children to be LESS greedy and selfish and MORE generous, charitable, and hardworking? Then you will absolutely love this book! Merrilee Boyack shares 52 ideas on how to get children to love to serve. Each chapter includes an engaging service idea, modifications for young children or teenagers, family discussion tips, and fun family activities. Primary presidencies, youth leaders, and Scout leaders looking for great service activity suggestions will also treasure this book.Buy now from Amazon.com

“Strangling Your Husband is NOT an Option: A Practical Guide to Dramatically Improving Your Marriage”
	Things can get pretty crazy in marital relationships. As one review has said, “What wife hasn’t felt like strangling her husband at least once during their marriage?”With her lighthearted personality and humor, author Merrilee Boyack shares twenty-five years’ worth of marital perspective in this practical guide to improve any marriage. As an estate-planning attorney Merrilee has dealt with many struggling couples going through divorce. (Seven-year marriages seem to have the greatest challenges.) She offers practical tips for women who want to better understand men (particularly their husbands) and build happier marriages.She invites women to dump the guilt, to be open enough to learn about areas they’d like to improve, and then take the steps to make those changes. Readers will also find a wealth of fun and practical advice in chapters like “The Five `Don’ts’ and Five `Do’s’ of Wifehood,” “But How Do I Change My Husband?” and “No, Really, How Can I Change Him?” Buy now from Amazon.com

“The Parenting Breakthrough”:  A Real-Life Plan to Teach Your Kids to Work, Save Money and Be Truly Independent
	Fun and practical, author Merrilee Boyack will have readers laughing out loud as well as feeling grateful for her parenting advice. She’s a mom who’s spent the last 22 years in the real-life work of parenting. “I have four sons, 14, 16, 19 and 23. “You know what that means” she writes. “I’m an absolute expert in raising children 23 and older.” Merrilee offers the “LDS parenting owner’s manual they forgot to give you” from training kids- from toddlers to teens- to be independent. It includes ideas for how to teach kids about money, investing, debt, and the importance of earning their own money; how to help children with emotional and spiritual development ; and much more. Buy now from Amazon.com

“Teaching Your Children to Fly”	“How Do I Change My Husband?”
A Guide to Independence	A Practical Guide to Dramatically Improving Your Marriage
Buy now from Amazon.com	Buy now from Amazon.com
Want your children to move out of the house someday? Practical, funny, and always sensible, Merrilee Boyack, author of The Parenting Breakthrough, shares field- tested ideas that will help children become self- reliant and independent. She talks about the importance of chores (or, as she calls them, “opportunities to serve”). She teaches parents “The Plan” and what children can do, year by year, to build confidence, life skills, and self- esteem. She also teaches parents how to use privileges and awards as motivators to help children learn to perform the tasks and jobs that will make them independent adults.The PLAN	After twenty-five years of marriage, Merrilee Boyack shares her marriage secrets in this new talk on CD recorded in front of a live audience. Merrilee offers practical tips for women who want to better understand men (particularly their husbands) and build happier marriages. She helps women understand how men think and teaches practical communication skills and tools to help strengthen any marriage. ” For the record, I reviewed this recording first to `protect the guilty’ (namely me) and make sure that I could yank anything that even remotely hinted at my tortuous journey toward being a better husband and father. Surprisingly (probably due to her amnesia), I didn’t have to exercise eminent domain or late-night stealth editing. The honest truth is that Merrilee has a LOT of great ideas to share. If you think her books are funny, inspirational, educational, and motivational, you have no idea what it is like to actually live with her. She is the real deal.”–Steven Boyack