Holding Fast To

This was bedtime last night, and pretty much every night. Giggly, silly girls trying to settle themselves for sleep. I turn out the lights and join them in the bed, and although I may not hear a noise, I feel their bodies shaking with quiet giggles. This is all a new experience for me, and I have to admit it is cute. Although, I am not sure how cute it will be when we are home, and I am "shushing" them for the billionth time.


Little pink ladies enjoying breakfast!
Haddie just seems so much older than Maggie. Maggie acts similar to that of a 7 year old. Of course, Haddie does act very grown up for 9! She continues to enjoy her big sister role, but still struggles with mothering her little sis a bit too much at times.






Of course, big brother Jacob is a hit! Maggie has grabbed on to his hand to walk a bit more in the last day. Again, I am so thankful that God planned for him to be here with me. He has earned some bragging rights enduring this trip with these 3 crazy girls!


The girls enjoyedsome good ole Ramen!!


We attempted the shopping again, since the last time didn't go so well. It was 100% better. The girls took their purses and I gave them their own little spending stash of 100 RMB. They thought they were high faluting with their 100's, which amounted to about $14 , but don't tell them that. You have never seen 2 girls have so much fun with $14. It was fun to watch them gather their little treasures.


Here they are in the cab on the way back to the hotel. Yet another China accomplishment for us. Hailing a cab in a foreign country and actually getting to where we needed to go!

For me, the highlight of the day had to be a local shop owner sharing the gospel with Maggie. It was done discretely, sending a co-worker out to the street to make sure no one entered the shop as she shared the love of Jesus with her. Chinese Christian music was playing, and among the lyrics I kept hearing the word, "hosanna, hosanna". It was such a moving moment.

I had read from Psalm 18 the night before and here are some excerpts that had stirred my heart:

"...He reached down from on high and TOOK HOLD of me, He drew me out of the deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy...they confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my SUPPORT. He brought me out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He delighted in me.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to stand on the heights.

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; You stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn."

Before traveling to China and have Maggie birthed into my arms, the wait was difficult. Every part of the process to get her home was HARD! The Lord spoke to me through His Word in powerful ways, one of those being through a Hebrew word, Dabaq, which means "to hold fast to". This word kept coming before me almost daily as I spent time with the Lord. I copied and laminated the definitions in regard to this word, and placed them in my Bible. I had sensed that the Lord was telling me to cling to Him, adhere to Him like glue, and I was doing my best to do just that.

As I held fast (Dabaq) to Him, He did just as the above verses read. He supported, strengthened, guided me giving me sure footing to step. But do you see that it was not me holding on to Him? He TOOK HOLD OF ME!

So, once again, keeping it real, I have been a bit agitated by Maggie's constant need to hang on me, cling to me. (If you know me I'm not a touchy, feely, cuddler) It is taking some real patience and getting used to on my part.

Could it be that the Lord had been preparing me to Dabaq my little girl? Absolutely!




Look at this girl! Really, what ever will I do with her?


Dabaq....HOLD FAST TO!