Valerie Barkley grew up in several Midwestern states, finally ending up in Kansas in her preteen years.  She desperately wanted to live in the small town, Bennington, where all of her father’s family lived.  She was always excited to visit there while enjoying her family, the wheat harvests, the rodeos and downtown.  This small, Kansas town in the premise for her book.  Along with the town, Valerie has sprinkled some of her testimony and life story throughout the novel.  Some of Janie Peterson’s (one of the main characters) struggles are Valerie’s struggles.  Always wanting approval, Valerie grew up insecure.  Her search for acceptance, security, and significance grew as her parents divorced.  In order to strive to be “somebody,” she looked to titles and labels through high school and college activities.  Through wearing many masks to assure everything was always “fine” in her life, she became quite the actress.  Through many years of struggles and sadness, Val was forced to find herself right in front of the only acceptance and security that she needed through Jesus Christ.  She couldn’t believe the Jesus wanted her to walk with him.  She didn’t think she was good enough for others, let alone Jesus.  She was always serving and taking care of others- never thinking she was important enough to take care of herself.  She found found her purpose and importance in Christ, as He relentlessly pursued her.  She is passionate about pointing women to that same truth in God’s word.  She therefore feels that she has no choice but to share this 23-year journey to encourage others, as she is still learning to follow Jesus.  Val is a teacher, to various grades, including middle school, which used to be favorite age.  Currently, she teaches her new favorite age- Kindergarten!  Val has spoken to various groups of women at different events.  You can find Val writing, while eating popcorn and drinking a sparkling water, sitting by the sun and water, or spending time with her husband of 24 years and three daughters.