Counting Down!

Isabelle received her required 4 immunizations on Monday. She then proceeded to run a fever for the next 2 days. Thankfully I came armed with Children's Tylenol and the phone # of our pedatric cardiologist. He assured me that the fever would not affect her heart. She's feeling much better today, so we're going to go on a short outing to walk around Shaiman Island and shop for a few hours. I'm ready to have a change of venue...the walls in the hotel are beginning to close in. We go to the U.S. Consulate this afternoon, so I can be officially sworn-in as Isabelle's mommy.
Tomorrow is our last day in Guangzhou. In the afternoon we'll board a train for a 2 hour trip to Hong Kong. This will be the first time we've taken a train ride in China. I'm looking forward to seeing the countryside.
The White Swan Hotel is beautiful and tomorrow we hope to take the requisite Red Coach photo of Isabelle.
Thanks for the prayers!!

(For some reason the picture attachements did not get here. I will post them as soon as they arrive! Phil)

New Update Tonight

This is an email update from Elaine tonight:

We flew into Guangzhou on Friday evening. Isabelle had her medical exam on Saturday and will get her immunizations today (Monday). All has gone well so far. Her oxygen levels have not risen, as we had hoped, since being at the lower elevation, but she's amazingly strong considering.

I've spent the majority of the time in the hotel room with Isabelle. We're continuing to try to keep her "germ-free". Torie and Michaela went to a park yesterday with our guide Elvis and two other adoptive families. The park was full of flowers and rolling hills. Then they went to eat at a restaurant with homemade noodles.

Thursday we are going to the Guangzhou zoo. It's supposed to be as nice as the San Diego zoo. I'm planning on taking Isabelle on that outing since it will be outside.

Just 5 more days until we fly back to Charlotte. It's been a great trip but we're ready to be home with Phil, AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei!!

Quick Update

I apologize for not updating for a number of days. Elaine and the girls are safely in Guangzhou at the White Swan Motel and enjoying the American food at Lucy's across the street from the motel.(They also have a Starbucks next to Lucy's.) They have been in transition so I have not received any new photo's, only a short phone call. SarahMei, AnnaGrace and I are axiuosly awaiting their arrival this Friday!

I would ask for your prayers for another matter. Last Thursday, one of our teachers at SouthLake Christian was tragically killed in a car accident on the way to work.(About 1/2 mile from school.) Aimee Powell was one of our 4th grade teachers. She was a delightful young lady, 25 years old, that loved the Lord and had a passion for teaching children. She grew up as an MK and her parents still serve in Taiwan. Obviously this has had a huge impact on our teachers and students. The services are Wednesday of this week. Please pray for her family and for our teachers and staff we grieve, and help our students grieve this loss. We do know is that God is sovereign in all things and that this did not surprise Him in any way. We also know that Aimee is more alive now, with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, than she ever was on this earth.

In All Things Give Thanks,

Phil

A Few More Pictures

Last Update from Kunming

Elaine and the girls are going to make a half hour trip to go see her finding place and take pictures. They will then fly out tomorrow afternoon for Guangzhou. Michaela and Torie are taking walks everyday on a nearby walking street to get necessary items such as water, cookies and shoes for Izzy. Izzy has a great sense of humor and laughs all the time. And of course she loves her Hollywood glasses. Her oxygen levels are staying around 63%. We are hoping it will come up a little at Guangzhou at the lower elevation. We are thankful for our cardiologists, Dr. Bill Hammill and Dr. Craig Greene, who have been available 24/7 by phone and sent the portable pulse-oxy ahead.

The girls have found the one TV station we can watch in Mandarin, the sports station. More athletic games than they really care to watch. However, Michaela has enjoyed watching the Australian Open.

Again, we THANK all of you for your prayers!

The Horton Family

Pictures:)

Transitioning Well

The following is part of an email I received from Elaine tonight.

"The transition with Isabelle has gone amazingly well. She cried for less than a minute at the "hand off" and now only cries if I leave her. Her energy level is quite low since her oxygen levels are at 63%. She is very strong with her upper body and is sharp mentally. She also has great manual dexterity. Her lower body strength is very low.. I believe she's spent a lot of time in a walker due to her her low energy levels.

She is warming up to all of us and has a beautiful smile and giggle. She's VERY ticklish and laughs out loud when we tickle her. She has definite opinions which she makes clear by her verbalizations.

We're in "solitary confinement" to keep her healthy. A cold or respiratory infection, at this point, could be disastrous. Torie and Michaela are going for a few hours a day and exploring the street/markets close to our hotel. Once we arrive in Guangzhou, there are other families that I hope they can do some sightseeing with during our stay."

Thank you for continued prayer support!

Answered Prayers

After months of praying, by many, Isabelle was place in Elaine's arms yesterday! While her oxygen levels are very low, the transition is going well so far. Elaine is trying, with help from a doctor, to get the provincial appointment moved up so they can travel to a lower elevation. The lower elevation should help her oxygen levels some. Over all, she seems to be very healthy and well cared for which is a wonderful blessing. She is just weak from low oxygen, which has also provided lots of snuggle time for she and Elaine.

On the home front, I want to thank everyone for your prayers and all of the support for AnnaGrace, SarahMei and I. All of the wonderful meals and for allowing the girls to come over during the morning hours while I work. We have truly been blessed by all of you!

By His Grace,

Phil

PS. I have two pictures Elaine emailed to me, but for some reason, I cannot get them to upload to the blog. I will continue to try.

Report from China!

We would first like to thank all of you for praying for Elaine, Torie and Michaela as they travel to China to pick up Isabelle. We got a call from them this morning at 7:15 am (8:15 pm there). They got there safely and plan to email tomorrow, China time, when they can access the internet at the motel. They should be traveling to Kunming tomorrow and getting to Isabelle Monday afternoon.

Again, we are thankful for your prayers and continue to ask for God's favor in protecting Isabelle's heart and lungs.

Only By God's Grace,

The Horton Family

Just One More Day...

"Where can I go from you Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your right hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

During the months of waiting to meet Isabelle, I've taken great comfort in the fact that neither she nor I were ever out of the Lord's hand. He guided us every step of the way...and now it's hard to believe that Friday morning Torie, Michaela and I will be boarding a plane to China!!!

Lord-willing we'll meet Isabelle on Monday morning - China time (i.e. Sunday p.m. U.S. time). Pray for the Lord to prepare her to meet her forever family!!

Also pray for Phil, AnnaGrace and Sarah Mei as they patiently wait, for two long weeks, as we stay in China.

And join us in praising the Lord for His incredible mercies and blessings in our lives!!

(The photo credit goes to Bill Loftis, a friend of ours, who is suffering while vacationing in The Keys...I guess someone has to do it!)