Book Review - Praying for Boys - by, Brooke McGlothlin

I LOVE this book!  A must read for all moms!

Title: Praying for Boys
Author: Brooke McGlothlin
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1143-0
USD: 12.99
Rating: *****

Psalm 127:3-5 - Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

As most of you know, my husband and I were blessed 7 years ago with the greatest gift of our lives...our baby boy, Caleb.  We were thrilled to become parents of a little boy!  We have a responsibility to our child to: love him, care for him, nurture him, pray for him and bring him up in the teachings of the Lord.

Boys are so many things!  Fun, loud, rowdy, ornery, adventurous, precious, sweet, tenderhearted and so much more.  The question is - how in the world do I as a mother, steer and guide this precious gift of a boy into a strong, godly young man?

Well, I was reading Lysa TerKeurst blog post one afternoon and saw one of Brooke's guest posts. Brooke had 10 powerful prayers to help you fight for the heart of your son. I immediately wrote them down and proceeded to buy her book.  I couldn't wait to read it!

I finally received Brooke's book.  I opened it up and started reading.  It was wonderful to know that I wasn't alone in my journey called motherhood -  {sigh of relief}.  All of us mother's go through times of throwing up our hands in frustration and begging God to help us in that moment.

Praying for Boys is beautifully written and heartfelt by Brooke McGlothlin. Full of encouragement for us mother's to wage war on our knees on behalf of our boys.  Such a good book!  A much needed book at that!

I love what's in the back of the book.  'The things they need most' There are 21 chapters on praying for certain things over and for your boys.

- 10 scripture / prayers for each chapter along with reflection or discussion

1) Heart Change  2) Obedience  3) Overcoming Fears  4) Integrity  5) Wisdom  6) Pride  7) Honor  8) Purity  9) A Servant's Heart  10) Fruit of the Spirit: Love  11) Fruit of the Spirit: Joy  12) Fruit of the Spirit: Peace  13) Fruit of the Spirit: Patience  14) Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness  15) Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness 16) Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness  17) Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness  18) Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control 19) Anger  20) Forgiveness  21) Salvation

Brooke says it best - "This book is about the God who loves your son more than you do and wants to work in his heart and life in spite of you as you pray and desperately seek him."

Thank you Brooke for writing this awesome book!

Here is Brooke's blog if you would like to be encouraged daily.

This is my own personal opinion and I received no monetary compensation for my review.

Melissa Staehli ~

Author of: I Love You to the Moon & Charlie's Gingerbread House

Sold over 800 I Love You to the Moon books in December!

I was thrilled to get this news!  Thank you to everyone who has made this happen!

It delights my heart to know that you are blessed by my book.  Sending hugs ~

My Inspiration for Writing

Good morning all!

Today is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!! What a beautiful day!

I wanted to share with you from my heart. July 3, 2006 was the greatest day of my life! God gave me the desire of my heart, and that desire was my baby boy, Caleb.

My husband and I have been married for 17 years now, but for the first 12 years we were not successful in getting pregnant. Yes, it was very disappointing especially when everyone around me was getting pregnant. The disappointment started to turn into frustration which I was not liking at all. So, at that point in my life I knew I had to lay it all at the Lord's feet. Once I laid my cares down at the foot of the cross, in that moment, I knew in my heart that God was not going to forsake my dream of being a mother.

In 2005 my husband and I started checking into foreign adoption, but we didn't tell anyone yet. We truly thought we would be adopting a baby from Korea. Unbeknownst to us...the Lord had other plans! We had finished all of the piles of paperwork, interviews and such needed for adoption. Now, we just had to save up the final (large) amount of money needed for the Korean adoption – which we knew would take a while. Well, towards the end of June 2006 we received a phone call about a domestic adoption. Mind you, we were not on any list here in America to adopt! God, being the BIG God He is, orchestrated the entire miracle of Caleb all on His own. From the time we received that amazing phone call – around June 22, 2006 – and the day Caleb was born was just 12 days! That's crazy and unheard of! But God did it! He gave me and my husband the greatest gift of our lives!

This whole story couldn't be more amazing, and I have only told you a very small part. I will save that for future blogs.

My purpose for telling you is this: Caleb is my inspiration for writing children's books. I could not even express in words how much I love my son, and how thankful I am to God for his gift of my precious baby boy.

“I Love You to the Moon” came straight from my heart. It started out as a little rhyme that I would say to Caleb before bedtime, and suddenly it became the poetic lullaby that it is now. It blessed both Caleb and me so much that I realized I wanted to share it with others in hopes that it would bless them as well.

Every child is a gift from God, no matter how they come into the family.

I have so much more to tell about my wonderful son, but you are going to have to wait!

Blessings to you – and tell someone you love them today!

Win a copy of I Love You to the Moon!!

Hi friends!  This is the cover of my 3rd children's book coming out this Spring of 2014!!  I am so excited!! The illustrations are being done right now by - Amy Rottinger.  She's AMAZING!  Can't wait!!

November - Adoption Month ~

As I put my sweet baby boy to bed this evening, I was thanking the Lord for Caleb's precious little life, and what a blessing he is to me.  I was also giving thanks to the Lord for his birth mother who chose LIFE for Caleb, and chose me to be his mother.  For that I will always be grateful.  I can't imagine my life without him.

I wrote my very first poem July 2, 1999 called "To You Oh Lord." I was sitting in my car during my lunch hour praying for my baby (mind you...there was no talk about adoption at this point in my life) I felt at that moment I needed a pen and paper so I could write down what my heart was feeling. So I did, and this is what I wrote.  ( this was my hearts cry to the Lord ) -

I humbly bow right now, before Your holy throne,
and offer up a heartfelt prayer, for a child of my own.
Oh, to look upon his glorious face, and into his blue eyes.
To give a sweet kiss upon his lips, and place his hands in mine.
I'd rock him in my arms of love until he fell asleep.
I'd hold him closely to my heart, and pray he sleeps in peace.
My voice will sing praises unto Your wonderful name,
thanking you Lord, for this precious child, this gift you freely gave.
Don't worry Lord, I won't forget to dedicate his life to you,
for you are the one, who gave me my son,
so now, I give him to you.


That was my prayer and hearts cry to the Lord for my baby.  I didn't know where my baby was going to come from, but I knew my baby was in my heart.  I needed to be still and wait upon the Lord for an answer. I wrote this poem July 2, 1999 and 7 years later to the day ( July 2, 2006 ) Caleb's birth mother went into labor with him! God is good and he does hear our prayers.

Caleb is now 7 years old and all boy!  He loves - Soccer, Swimming and Baseball.  Caleb has a big heart! He enjoys giving to others.  He is kind and compassionate towards people.  Caleb is doing very well in school. He is in first grade and learning all kinds of wonderful things.  It has been a wonderful 7 years watching Caleb grow up.  Every stage of his life has been a blessing to me.  I will continue to enjoy every moment of Caleb's journey in this life.

Children are such a blessing and a GIFT from God.  My heart smiles every day because Caleb is in it! :-)

Many Blessings,

Melissa ~

Author of - I Love You to the Moon / Charlie's Gingerbread House

Hi friends!

I wanted to let you know that I  have a book signing on September 20, 2013 at Barnes & Noble in Fairlawn, Ohio from 6 -9 p.m.  Both of my books will be available.  I Love You to the Moon and Charlie's Gingerbread House.  Come on out and say hello!  Love to see ya ~