Tag: Lutheran

A Ride I’ll Never Forget: Remembering My Friend, Jamie

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Yesterday, my dear friend Jamie Grimes entered the arms of Jesus. Seven years to the exact date of her cancer diagnosis.
As I sit here this morning, my heart feels incredibly heavy. A few hours before I heard the news of Jamie’s passing, she was on my heart in such a strong way that I felt I needed to write something for her. I remember thinking how we so often wait until someone is gone before we tell the world what they have meant to us. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could hear those words before she went to Heaven?
I even made plans in my mind to visit her on Monday or Tuesday. My new job has consumed so much of my time these past few weeks, with onboarding and meetings and modules, but next week I’d have two days with a little less. I thought I had a little more time. We so often believe there will be another Tuesday.
Instead, today I’m holding tightly to one of the greatest gifts God gave me this summer, a sunny June afternoon that I now realize was one last adventure with my friend.
After enjoying a delicious lunch and an afternoon of laughter at the home of our dear friend Kimber, Jamie and I climbed into my Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Kimber was invited to join us but decided to stay behind, leaving just the two of us. We didn’t have a destination. We simply drove.
Looking back, that seems so fitting. We let God lead the way, following whatever road He placed before us. In many ways, that’s exactly how Jamie had lived the last seven years of her life.

Ready for a ride in the Hell Cat!

Our drive became so much more than a drive. There was laughter, there were quiet moments, and deep conversations I’ll carry with me forever.
At one point, the speedometer climbed to 105 miles per hour, but somehow the fast car became the background for one of the slowest, most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had. Jamie talked openly about death. Not because she had given up.
Not because she was bitter. But because she knew where she was going. She wasn’t fearless because cancer was easy. She was fearless because Jesus was faithful. She believed with every fiber of her being that Heaven is real, a place with no more pain, no more cancer, no more tears, and no more sin. She knew Jesus was waiting for her.
Only Jamie could joke in the middle of such a conversation. She laughed and said, “People at church are probably wondering why I won’t just hurry up and die already.”
I assured her that wasn’t true. But that was Jamie. She somehow found humor in the hardest moments. As I drove she shared how grateful she was that her hospice nurse had released her to take one final family vacation to Gulf Shores with her husband and their three beautiful children, ages 14, 12, and 10.
Then she said something I’ll never forget.
“I didn’t want this summer to be the one where all they did was wait around for Mom to die.”
That sentence has echoed in my heart ever since. She talked about her children and admitted that leaving them was the hardest part. She wondered who would mentor them, especially her teenage daughter? Then, with the confidence that defined her life, she reminded me that God already knew. She didn’t know their names. God did. She trusted that He would place exactly the right people into their lives.
Jamie wasn’t placing her children into the unknown. She was placing them into the hands of the God she had trusted all along.
She told me she could leave this earth knowing He would take care of them.
I’ve known Jamie for eight years, but only one of those years was cancer-free. For seven years I watched her receive wonderful scan results, only to have cancer return months later. Again and again she faced devastating news with remarkable courage. It was a journey filled with chemotherapy, surgeries, uncertainty, hope, disappointment, and unimaginable pain.
Yet cancer never defined Jamie. Her faith did. She remained firmly grounded in Jesus, believing that God held her securely in the palm of His hand. She trusted that His plan was greater than her own, even when it hurt beyond words. When you spent time with Jamie, you walked away changed. She radiated joy. She radiated peace. She radiated grace. She possessed one of the strongest, most unwavering faiths I have ever witnessed, especially in a young mother carrying burdens that most of us can hardly imagine.
Years ago during her cancer journey, Jamie discovered the song “God’s Not Done With You” by Tauren Wells. She once shared how deeply that song ministered to her heart during one of her darkest seasons. From that day forward, I could never hear it without thinking of Jamie. It became part of her story, a reminder that God was faithfully writing every chapter of her life, even in the midst of suffering.
As our drive came to an end, I asked Jamie to open the glove box. She looked at me with a puzzled smile. Tucked inside was a miniature replica of my Dodge Challenger Hellcat down to the exact same metallic Sinnamon Stick color. I had hidden it there just for her. I told her to take that mini car home and give it to her children. Then I made her a promise. “If any of them ever need to go for a drive in a fast car to talk, or not talk, to laugh, cry, or simply get away for a little while, they have an open invitation to go driving with the Noteworthy Mommy.”
She thanked me with that sweet smile that so many of us loved. It wasn’t a grand gesture that could take away the pain of what was coming. Nothing could do that.
But I wanted Jamie to know that while no one could ever replace their mom, there would always be people willing to walk beside her children, encourage them, listen to them, and remind them how deeply they are loved. That tiny Hell Cat car became much more than a toy. It became a promise.
A promise that they would always have someone cheering them on. A promise that they would never have to travel life’s roads completely alone.

Jaime with the toy car.

When I think back to that afternoon, I don’t remember just the horsepower, the winding roads, or even reaching 105 miles per hour. I remember Jamie’s smile.
I remember her peace. I remember a mother whose greatest concern wasn’t herself but her children. And I remember driving home that day feeling incredibly blessed that God had allowed our paths to cross.
I’ll miss seeing Jamie at Zion Women’s Retreats and Advent By Candlelight. I’ll miss playing Bunco together whenever she felt well enough to join us. I’ll miss hearing her laugh. I’ll miss the way she made everyone around her feel just a little closer to Jesus. Jamie was one of the most grace-filled women I’ve ever known.
Faithful.
Steadfast.
Hope-filled.
Inspirational.
She walked one of the hardest roads imaginable with incredible courage because she knew her life belonged to God.
I rejoice knowing Jamie is finally healed.
Cancer no longer has a hold on her.
She is at peace.
She is at rest.
She is home.
She is in the loving arms of Jesus.
Jamie taught me that faith isn’t pretending life isn’t hard. Faith is trusting God even when it is. Our last drive together had no destination. Looking back, I don’t think it needed one. God knew exactly where He was leading us. He gave us one last afternoon filled with laughter, honest conversation, and a promise that neither of us would ever forget.
Thank you, Jamie, for showing me what unwavering faith looks like. Thank you for reminding me that when we let God lead the way, His road always leads us exactly where we need to be.
Until we meet again dear Jamie. ❤️

Jamie and I after our drive.

Click here to watch the video of Jamie’s favorite song.

https://youtu.be/cVHrkYBEgFM?is=RUIq8wszhgaaC8Qs

Celebrating the End of a School Year—and a Remarkable Career

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As the 2024–2025 school year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on moments of joy, gratitude, and transition. At the heart of this season of celebration is someone who has faithfully guided generations through Christian education: Mr. Debrick, Mini Me’s beloved principal, is retiring after an extraordinary 41 years in Lutheran education—27 of those years serving at Zion Lutheran School in Saint Charles.

Our school and church communities came together to honor him with well-deserved celebrations, expressing heartfelt thanks for his steadfast leadership, his devotion to Christian values, and his deep love for students, families, and staff. It was a moving farewell—filled with appreciation, laughter, and a few tears as we lifted him up in prayer and sent him off with blessings for this new chapter in life.

While we celebrated the close of a remarkable career, we also rejoiced in a new beginning. Mini Me’s teacher, Miss Schnegelberger, just completed her very first year in the classroom. With enthusiasm and humility, she shared her reflections on social media, writing how much she has learned and how eager she is to continue growing. There’s something beautiful in witnessing both ends of a vocation—a hopeful start and a faithful finish.

“You’ll always remember your first class and your last class.” That truth resonates deeply. I can still recall nearly every face from my first year of teaching, and just as many from my final year, but fewer from the years in between. The beginning and the end stay with you, yet it’s the in-between, the long, steady walk of service that leaves the most lasting legacy.

Mr. Debrick and Mini Me at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Reflecting on Mr. Debrick’s career, I’m awed by the immense change he navigated with courage and vision. The evolution of technology in education alone is a testament to how much the world shifted during his time. From chalkboards and overhead projectors with transparencies (young teachers, go Google those!) to computer labs, then one-to-one devices, and finally Smart Boards—Mr. Debrick shepherded Zion through every innovation. In fact, one of his last projects as principal was overseeing the installation of a brand-new set of Smart Boards.

But it wasn’t just the classroom tools that changed—it was the world itself. Mr. Debrick began his career amid the “Just Say No” era and the AIDS crisis. He guided Zion through the tragic events of 9/11, the heartbreak of school shootings like Columbine, and the implementation of new safety protocols such as intruder drills. My own family experienced firsthand his steady, faith-filled leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic—a time that demanded wisdom, adaptability, and deep trust in God. I will always admire the strength with which he led our school community through that unprecedented season.

Yet Mr. Debrick would be the first to say he didn’t do any of it alone. He walked each day hand-in-hand with his Savior, always pointing others toward Jesus. His humble spirit, servant heart, and love for his Heavenly Father were evident in every decision he made, every student he greeted, every teacher he encouraged. That example of faith in action may well be his greatest gift to us all.

One of the most touching moments during his Right of Farewell and Godspeed service at church was a special performance by a junior high choir, assembled just for the occasion, who sang Mr. Debrick’s favorite song: “Make Me a Servant.” He loves this song so deeply that he often invited his staff to sing it together, a musical reminder of the calling they shared.

There’s a version of the song that holds particular meaning, and the lyrics are worth carrying close:

These words echo the life and career Mr. Debrick lives. He taught children about Jesus—not only through chapel messages or religion classes but through his daily actions, his kindness, and his unwavering faith. I will carry those lyrics with me, just as so many others will, remembering the power of humble service and the sacredness of a life poured out for others.

My family of three have been at Zion for 7 years with Mini Me starting preschool at age 3 and just completing the 4th grade. What a blessing it has been to have Mr. Debrick’s leadership at Zion and what a legacy he leaves behind after 41 years in Lutheran education!

From the Talley family: Thank you, Mr. Debrick, for everything. For your warm wave each morning. For your constant smile. For always putting Jesus, children, and families first. Your devotion has made a lasting impact, and your presence will be deeply missed.

We wish you a retirement full of rest, golf, Kansas City Chiefs games, and of course plenty of popcorn! Congratulations on an incredible milestone. May God continue to bless you and your family on the journey ahead!

Mr. Debrick, the Noteworthy Mommy and Mini Me at Mr. Debrick’s “Right of Farewell and Godspeed” Service.

Mary Poppins the Musical…Anything Can Happen If You Let It!

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I’ve always believed that music has the power to carry us through life’s hardest seasons, and if there’s one musical that has walked beside me through both joy and trial, it’s Mary Poppins. Not the classic Disney movie version (sorry, Julie Andrews), but the stage adaptation—deeper, darker, and much more aligned with the tone of P.L. Travers’ original books. Yes, this Noteworthy Mommy has read them, and trust me, they’re dark! Which is why the musical version resonated so deeply with me, it captured that complexity in a way that felt honest and strangely comforting.

I first saw the Mary Poppins musical in 2009, when the original Broadway cast members Ashley Brown (as Mary) and Gavin Lee (as Bert) came through town on tour. From the very first note, I was enchanted. The music, the storytelling, the choreography, everything felt elevated and emotionally rich. I bought the cast recording immediately and listened to it on repeat. And repeat. And repeat. The new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe were brilliant additions, seamlessly integrated that they felt like they’d always belonged. The reimagined book by Julian Fellowes (yes, the Downton Abbey guy) was, in a word, practically perfect.

And as magical as it was, it wasn’t just entertainment. That soundtrack came into my life right when I needed it most.

In 2009, my work life was in upheaval. I had only been working as a full time educational consultant for a few years, and we’d already gone through a small merger where a few people were let go. But then came the big one—we merged with our sister company (who also happened to be our biggest competitor). My manager, the woman who had hired me and mentored me, was let go. Suddenly, I was training on new products I hadn’t worked with before, working under a new manager who hadn’t chosen me, and my team had been dismantled. I felt like a stepchild in a new family that didn’t want me.

It was a confusing, discouraging, and emotionally draining time. And somehow, in the middle of that, one particular song from Mary Poppins became my anthem. My lifeline.

“Anything Can Happen.”

Here are some of the lyrics that carried me:

“Anything can happen if you let it

Sometimes things are difficult, but you can bet it

Doesn’t have to be so

Changes can be made

You can move a mountain if you use a larger spade…”

And especially this line:

“If you reach for the stars

All you get are the stars

But we’ve found a whole new spin

If you reach for the heavens

You get the stars thrown in.”

Those words gave me courage. They reminded me that change, while painful, could also be full of possibility. They gave me a thread of hope to hold onto. And they reminded me that I was not alone.

Of course, the ultimate strength that carried me through didn’t come from lyrics or melodies; it came from my faith. It’s only through God, my Heavenly Father, that I’m able to sit here today and write about that difficult season with perspective and peace. Music may have given me comfort, but it was God who gave me transformation. When I finally handed over all my worries and anxieties to Him, really surrendered, it’s like the floodgates of grace opened. That surrender changed everything.

I’ve written before about the power of music and how God uses it to speak into our hearts. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. But fast forward to 2025, and wouldn’t you know it? Mary Poppins found her way into my life again.

This time, it wasn’t a big Broadway tour. It was a local high school production at Lutheran High School. I almost didn’t go—I was too busy, overwhelmed with our family’s ever-growing calendar. But something nudged me to make it work, and so I carved out one evening (a Thursday night) to attend. Mini Me was going to see it the next day with a friend, I even planned to sneak out at intermission to make it to choir rehearsal.

But God had other plans.

As I entered the theater, I immediately saw two of my dear mommy friends, Beth and Becca, sisters in Christ from my Moms in Prayer group, women I faithfully pray with every week and who have become treasured mommy mentors. They invited me to sit with them, and then two more women from church joined us, ladies who love Advent by Candlelight, the special event I lead each year. I looked around and realized I was surrounded by community. Teachers from my daughter’s school. Parents and students in my daughter’s class. Church members who have poured into our lives in countless and beautiful ways.

And then the show began. It was so good I skipped choir and stayed until the end!

I recognized so many young faces on that stage—kids I’ve watched grow up in church, at Zion Lutheran School, in choir. And there, in the lead role of Mary Poppins, was none other than our senior pastor’s daughter. She sang beautifully, as did the entire cast, and flew high above us like the Mary Poppins in the professional productions! What amazed me the most is many of these young people are involved in other activities outside of theatre, but theatre is the thread that brings them together, unites them. And it’s through theatre that they created art for a room full of people to enjoy. They gifted me with this moment. Full circle. Full heart.

The Noteworthy Mommy with Mary Poppins!

During the show I thought of my loving church/school family, in the room that night, people whom I didn’t even know a mere ten years ago. They are exactly what I got on my knees and prayed for. Tears welled in my eyes as I realized how God works in layers and loops. That He’s constantly weaving stories we don’t fully understand until we’re living in the beauty of their unfolding. Mary Poppins wasn’t just a show that once got me through a tough time. It’s become a symbol of how God plants seeds of hope through art, through people, and through the unexpected magic of second chances.

So yes, Mary Poppins the musical will always be very special to me. Not just because it’s better than the movie (sorry again, Julie), not just because of the amazing score or the masterful writing, but because it was there—God placed it there—when I needed it most.

And I’ll never stop believing:

Go and chase your dreams
You won’t regret it. Anything can happen if you let it.

Anything Can Happen Video Link

Click on this link and see a special performance of Anything Can Happen Video featuring the leading women of past and present Disney Broadway shows (Ashley Brown is front and center) along with talented girls who participated in a special fine arts program in NYC.

Celebrating Mini Me’s Baptismal Birthday

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February 22 is a special day in our family—it’s Mini Me’s Baptismal Birthday! Each year, we take time to remember the day she was baptized into God’s family at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL, the same church where I was baptized as a baby.

Mini Me’s Baptism Day!

The Gift of Baptism

In the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), we believe that Baptism is a miraculous work of God, not something we do for Him, but something He does for us. Through water and His Word, God creates faith in the heart of even the smallest infant. While we may not fully understand how this happens, we trust in His promises. Parents and godparents take on the responsibility of nurturing this faith, teaching the child about Jesus so that their faith may grow and remain strong, as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:18-20.

A Joyous Day of Family and Faith

Mini Me was surrounded by so much love on her baptism day. Her Godmother, Aunt Kay Kay, traveled from Ohio, while my husband’s sister came from Georgia. My cousin Julie and her husband Rick also stood as her Godparents. Along with other family members and close friends, we celebrated this important step in her life.

One of the special symbols from that day is her baptismal candle. It serves as a beautiful reminder that the light of Christ now shines in her life. Every year on her Baptismal Birthday, Mini Me loves lighting her candle, celebrating the faith that was given to her in those holy waters.

And of course, what’s a celebration without a sweet treat? Our tradition includes donuts with sprinkles—those tiny drops of sweetness reminding us of the water sprinkled on her head during her Baptism. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to mark this sacred anniversary.

Mini Me with her baptismal candle and donuts with sprinkles!

Remembering the Promise

Baptism is not just a one-time event but a lifelong gift. It’s a promise that God is always with her, guiding her, strengthening her faith, and calling her His own. Each year, as we light her candle and enjoy our sprinkle-covered donuts, we give thanks for this amazing gift of grace and look forward to seeing how God continues to work in her life.

It was a glorious day then, and it’s a glorious day every time we remember it. Happy Baptismal Birthday, Mini Me!

Reenacting a Family Photo

1972- Me, my mom and grandma on the day of my baptism
2015-Mini Me, me, and my mom on the day of Mini Me’s baptism.

Advent By Candlelight

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The Christmas season can be stressful for a variety of reasons. For some it’s an overwhelming “to do list” that appears to have no end. Or it may be the pressure of feeling financially strapped and unable to give your family the Christmas of their dreams. You may be experiencing emptiness thinking about loved ones who will be missing from the dinner table this year. While others may feel loneliness, simply yearning for family and friends to spend Christmas with. I’m sure all of you can relate to one of these scenarios and I find comfort knowing that I am not alone. One of the things I did this year to help me focus on the true meaning of the Advent season is participate in “Advent By Candlelight.”

Advent By Candlelight– In early December I gathered with other women and participated in a beautiful evening called “Advent By Candlelight” at my church, Zion Lutheran. “Advent By Candlelight” was new to me but after signing up to be a table hostess I discovered that women from all denominations kick off the advent season by holding “Advent By Candlelight” events at their churches. A simple search of “Advent By Candlelight” on Pinterest yields hundreds of lavish table decorations, delectable desserts and meaningful programming suggestions. I quickly realized I had been missing out on something very special.

My Table– I enjoyed decorating my table for “Advent By Candlelight.” I used my Lenox Christmas China (Holly Berry Pattern) and placed the dessert plates on gold chargers. I borrowed festive gold flatware adorned with a sprig of holly from my parents. Matching tea cups and glasses completed my table setting. I used a cream table cloth and glittering gold napkins. Nuts, candy and a variety of tea bags were placed in candy dishes that match my china pattern. My centerpiece was simple with two cream candles sitting among a bed of evergreen and white flowers.

I found the perfect gold detailed porcelain ornament favors. They matched my dishes perfectly and the messages of Blessed and Believe were appropriately written across the angel and star design.

The evenings program, “A Personal Journey to the Nativity” set the tone of the Advent season. Through singing, scripture and fellowship, I left the event feeling renewed and exhilarated; ready to great the craziness of the season head on.

Advent Wreath– Christians all over the world have adopted the tradition of lighting candles during Advent to observe this as the time of the coming of Christ who is the light of the world. One tradition is lighting an Advent wreath at church and at home to mark each Sunday in Advent. This Advent tradition dates back to Germany and the Lutheran Church following the Reformation.

Today Advent wreaths are made out of evergreen and are shaped like a circle to represent eternal life. The Advent wreath we use at church has five candles with three of the candles being blue in color to match the liturgical colors. The candle lit on the first week is blue and represents hope. The candle lit on the second week is blue and represents peace. The candle lit on the third Sunday is pink and represents joy. On the last Sunday of Advent a blue candle representing love is lit. The candle in the center is white and is know as the Christ candle. It is lit on Christmas or Christmas Eve.

The Advent wreath we are using in our home was carefully molded out of clay by my daughter’s tiny hands. Plastered with green paint it is adorned with five skinny birthday candles. Mrs. Stanglein helped Lillian craft this Advent wreath in preschool and although simple in design it glows with radiant splendor.

Lillian and her class learned an Advent song to go along with their wreath and they have been singing a new verse every week. We also sing the simple song in church as a new candle on the Advent wreath is lit. Lillian learned the song quickly and she had enjoyed singing it at the top of her lungs every day this month!

Light one candle for hope,
One bright candle for hope.
He brings hope to everyone.
He comes. He comes.
**For verses 2-4, replace hope with peace, joy, and love.**

Jesus Joy– I was once again reminded of my focus this Advent season during a recent children’s sermon at church. Lillian’s preschool teacher gave this particular children’s sermon a few weeks ago.While talking to the children Mrs Stanglein declared she would rename Advent, “Jesus Joy.” Her words reminded me to focus on the joy that the season brings instead of becoming overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. We should be joyous during the season of Advent for it is a time of triumph, exultation and joy as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Lillian with her teacher after singing at the preschool Advent service.