Where God Leads, I Will Follow

I was so sure that God was leading us to an international adoption. We began the process when a variety of things started going wrong. There was a lack of communication between us and the agency, and Trent and I just got the impression that God was making it clear to us that an international adoption is a closed door at this time. I was very disappointed.

We still feel called to adopt our next child. But where is God leading?

Several people had mentioned domestic adoption, and as far as I know there are two options. 1. Domestic Infant Adoption, and 2. Foster-Adopt. We had previously ruled out option number 1 because (in general) there is a much bigger demand for infants than there is supply (as terrible as that may sound). And (in general), many people who chose this form of adoption cannot have biological children.

So we are looking in to foster-adopt. We are definitely taking this slow, and praying about it. At this time we are trying to get more information on where we start and what will be best for our family. Any prayers are appreciated.

I read this today and was so encouraged.

Psalm 46:1-11 (NIV)
¹ God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolation he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress


I am reminded to take time to "be still" as verse 10 says. Over the coming months I am going to take as much time as my children allow to just be still and be in awe of our God. His plans are far greater than my own, and I am trusting in Him to lead our little Hess Family wherever He wills us to go.

Quick update

Hey all!

Magdalena got a clean bill of health at her latest well-child check-up! She weighs 14 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 27 inches long. In both height and weight she is in the 5-10th percentile. Just a fun little tid-bit, she weighs 2 ounces more than Abbey did at 9 months, and is the same length as Abbey! It looks like our little peanut will catch up to Miss Abigail before too long!

Our doctor recommended that we begin Maggie on some grains, and to try rice first. I don't know why I didn't listen!! I was so eager for her to be able to feed herself that I went and bought some wheat-free organic baby "cookies" so that I could have a little break during meal times. She LOVED them. I gave her 2 at lunch yesterday and 1 at dinner. And guess what? She was up almost all night crying.

It looks like big sisters will get to enjoy those little goodies instead of Baby. Even though the cookies are wheat-free, they are not gluten-free. I'm not going to introduce anything else this week, in order to make sure the gluten is completely out of her system before I try the rice cereal. I'm looking into purchasing some gluten-free baby puffs. Unfortunately, my grocery store doesn't sell the gluten-free, so I would have to order them online. The only problem with this is that you have to purchase a whole case, and if they upset her stomach I just wasted money....

Abbey is insistent upon wearing panties. Yesterday she wet herself every time all morning long, even if I had just sat her on the potty. However, after nap we tried again and she had success on the potty!! It was very exciting. This morning she went pee on the potty before we went to the playground. While we were at the playground for quite a while she was swinging and told me she needed to go!! So, I hustled over there with her and Maggie in the Snugli and she went again! Unfortunately, I think she was so excited that she didn't go the full amount, and she wet herself soon after we got home. But still, it was a great improvement, and I am seeing a glimmer of hope!

Well, that's all I have time for right now.

Enjoy a picture from my older sister, Stacy's wedding.