Valerie E. Hess is a pastor's wife, mother, teacher, retreat speaker, and musician. She received her master's in church music from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. She is currently the coordinator of music ministries for Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, Colorado. Valerie is an instructor in the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership program at Spring Arbor University. She is part of the Renovaré Partners in Renewal group and led a workshop at the 2005 Renovaré International Conference. She is the coauthor of Habits of a Child's Heart (NavPress, 2004).