Horton Adoption Update

Well the last two months have been filled with changed plans, redirection from the Lord, exhaustion, laughter and tears. We welcomed 18 Ethiopian orphans for the Summer of Hope - Charlotte program for the month of July. As the community coordinator I was busy beyond belief. The moments of joy were greater than I had imagined and so were the moments of sheer exhaustion. The HUGE praise report is 4 of the 18 children are in the process of being adopted...including Meskerem (the 8 year old little girl who stayed in our home.)

In the last two months we also received a referral for a 8 year old girl and an 18 month little girl from Ethiopia. We were excited about the girls joining our family; however, during the course of the Summer of Hope stay, it became abundantly clear that an 8 year old was not going to be the best match for our family. In the midst of the emotions of this realization, we got a phone call telling us that "our" 18 month little girl had a brother who was going to need to be placed with her. Phil felt VERY sure that we were supposed to parent girls...which led to "losing" our referral of the 18 month old. Our hearts were broken but as usual during times of sorrow, the situation forced us to seek the Lord's direction, once again, for our adoption process.

After much prayer, tears and many closed doors in Ethiopia, we decided to look at the China program again. My desire is to adopt one of "the least of these." Praise God, last week, we saw the photo of our new Chinese daughter - Isabelle - who is 16 months old. She has a severe heart defect which will require 2 open-heart surgeries upon her arrival to the states. Sadly, we can't post her photo until we pick her up in China. But of course she's BEAUTIFUL!! Pray for quick processing of our adoption paperwork as every week is critical in preserving her health. Pray for God's hand of protection on her.

I'm SO proud of our 4 daughters. They have been patient through all the adoption ups and downs!! Torie is coming home to go to UNCC for her sophomore year of college. A hard decision for both Phil and I and also for Torie. She has showed such maturity in accepting and eventually embracing the decision. We love the close friendship that is blooming between her and Michaela as they ride and show their Thoroughbreds together. We went to a schooling show this weekend. Michaela's mare proved she can fly. That suits Michaela fine after having her "pony with wings" - Popcorn - for so many years.

Torie riding Brego (named after Aragorn's horse in Lord of the Rings), her new 8 year old Thoroughbred gelding.



Michaela "flying" on Hwin (named after the horse in C.S. Lewis's book - The Horse and His Boy)her new 8 year old Thoroughbred mare.



Both girls schooling cross-country...


While the older two girls rode, the two younger girls picked bouquets of flowers.