About Heidi Hess Saxton

heidi-2016 Being a parent can be a lot like going on a road trip: No matter how well you pack the car, there are always a few surprises along the way. And some of the most important revelations tend to come to you in the middle of the night, when you find yourself on the “night shift.” Illuminations often strikes late at night, with clarity one seldom experiences in the bold light of day.

When my husband Craig and I became (foster) parents in 2002 to a sibling group of three (we adopted the younger two, pictured here, in 2005), we had no idea what a ride was ahead of us. Which was probably a good thing. More than ten years later, I’ve learned a great deal about the joys and challenges of parenting children with “invisible” special needs. (Many of those insights came to me while crossing the country with the two of them ensconced in the back end of our Chrysler Town & Country.) If you’re reading this, you’ve stumbled on my “virtual road trip,” and invite you to come along for the ride.

About me (putting on her “editor’s hat”): Heidi Hess Saxton is a wife and mother as well as acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. (You can find a link to her “Ask a Catholic Editor” blog here.) She has more than twenty years’ experience in Catholic publishing as both an in-house and freelance editor; and is also author of seven books including Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Servant/Franciscan Media) as well as My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories (Thomas Nelson).

Heidi received her Masters in Theology, graduating summa cum laude from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 2011, with undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Communications from Azusa Pacific University and Missions and Theology from Bethany College of Missions.

Heidi blogs about Catholic family life here at Life on the Road Less Traveled and for adoptive, foster, and special needs families at The Extraordinary Moms Network.

Heidi Hess Saxton

Founder of the Extraordinary Moms Network (EMN)

Would you like me to speak at your parish or other event?

I’d love to come and help you make your event a memorable one! I live near South Bend, Indiana — right in the middle of the country — and love to go on road trips. Some of the topics I love to talk about include:

  • 7 Ways Mother Teresa Changed My Life — Seven “life lessons” I learned from the writings of Saint Teresa of Calcutta that inspired me to write two books about her, Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
  • Secrets of an Adoptive Mother — What is it like to be an adoptive parent? What are some of the special gifts God gives adoptive and foster parents? This honest exploration of the joys and challenges of being an adoptive parent is especially appropriate for mother’s groups.
  • Go with God: Simple Ways to Enrich Your Prayer Life. How do the seven deadly sins creep into our lives and make it hard to talk with God? With stories and reflection questions, Heidi will encourage your group to “go with God” and learn to hear his voice in everyday life.

For more information or to discuss details, contact Heidi through the contact form below.

Want to get in touch with me? Would you like to talk to me about a speaking engagement, or have a question you think I can help with? Just fill out the form below.

 

19 thoughts on “About Heidi Hess Saxton”

  2. Hi. We have a lot in common, so I was naturally drawn to you. I am a Catholic convert (2000), an adoptive mom of three foster children and a writer at heart. In fact, I first read your blog after reading your article on Catholic Exchange about the “dark side” of adoption. I’m so glad someone finally spoke the truth–not that adoption doesn’t have a positive side, but my past six years as an adoptive mom have been the hardest of my life.

    Thank you for providing an outlet for those of us who face similar struggles, and joys, of motherhood.

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  3. It is so great to find this website. Kristen, I am also an adoptive mom of three foster children (sibling group), a decision that stemmed from infertility. I wish I had found this site three years ago. I felt so alone in all of my struggles and the social workers were no help at all. Praise God, our family is doing well!

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  4. I am glad to have found your blog! As a catholic adoptive parent I can relate to much of what you’ve written. My husband and I are blessed greatly. Anyway, I just tonight finished reading Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul and found it so fun and inspiring! Just thought I’d recommend it…

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  8. Hello Heidi,
    thanks for dropping by.I like site. very helpful and keep blogging..thanks for sharing your insights and knowledge to women mothers like me.
    God Bless;
    Laura
    ( Distantfeet.blogspot.)

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  10. Dear Heidi,

    We have added your blog to our listings on our website.

    Please contact me by email at your earliest discretion

    Michael (mike@Rad-online.org)

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  12. Hi,
    I am in high school and I have this project where I have to create my own Utopia. Education is very important to me because I feel it’s needed to be successful in life. So I would really appreciate it if you would give me your permission you use your picture of the school in an apple. Please e-mail me as soon as possible. Thanks!

    Christina Kirby

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  13. Hi. We have a lot in common, so I was naturally drawn to you. I am a Catholic convert (2000), an adoptive mom of three foster children and a writer at heart. In fact, I first read your blog after reading your article on Catholic Exchange about the “dark side” of adoption. I’m so glad someone finally spoke the truth–not that adoption doesn’t have a positive side, but my past six years as an adoptive mom have been the hardest of my life.
    +1

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  14. Heidi,

    Have you read “the Mystical City of God” by the mystic Mary of Agreda? It is a revelation of God’s purposes and plans for our Blessed Mother. It is a must read for those who want to know the full truth about Mary. The book was instrumental in the declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

    God Bless,

    Victoria

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  15. Hi Heidi,

    Lovely blog!

    Just thought you and your friends here might be interested in this new beautiful catechism for children, written, designed, produced and published at the highest standards in Ireland.
    A German translation is also available and the Spanish one is due to be published soon…

    For more details, please visit our website:
    http://www.clonmacnoispress.com

    God bless,
    Monica

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  16. Hello, I have a quick question for you about your site. If you could please get back to me at your earliest convenience I would greatly appreciate it. Have a great day!

    Thanks,
    Dan Gilbert
    Marketing Support Coordinator
    Primrose Schools

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  17. Greetings – I really love your blog and wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! If you choose to accept, go to my awards post and find out the details: http://cmcrabtree.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/how-very-cool-the-liebster-award/
    (please use this link in your posts so that I can see the answers to my questions, it’s a lot of fun. If you don’t know how to use pingbacks here is the link: http://en.support.wordpress.com/comments/pingbacks/ ).

    I really enjoyed reading through your About section. If more people were like you, our world would be in much better shape 🙂

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