It’s been a year of growth for us, both through adoption and in our faith. We wanted to take some time to reflect back on 2015 to capture our growth and one day share this with Baby Burge.
1. If you had to describe your 2015 in 3 words or phrases, what would they be?
Craig: Busy, Challenging, Growth.
Beth: Yea God!, Confirming, Blessed.
2. What was your most common mental state this year?
Craig: Brain dead (from being in school).
Beth: Eager.
3. Which worries turned out to be unnecessary?
Craig: All of them.
Beth: What he said. But I’m a slower learner.
4. What was your favorite compliment that you received this year?
Craig & Beth: That we’re going to be great parents!
1. If you had to describe your 2015 in 3 words or phrases, what would they be?
Craig: Busy, Challenging, Growth.
Beth: Yea God!, Confirming, Blessed.
2. What was your most common mental state this year?
Craig: Brain dead (from being in school).
Beth: Eager.
3. Which worries turned out to be unnecessary?
Craig: All of them.
Beth: What he said. But I’m a slower learner.
4. What was your favorite compliment that you received this year?
Craig & Beth: That we’re going to be great parents!
It’s been a year of growth for us, both through adoption and in our faith. We wanted to take some time to reflect back on 2015 to capture our growth and one day share this with Baby Burge.
1. If you had to describe your 2015 in 3 words or phrases, what would they be?
Craig: Busy, Challenging, Growth.
Beth: Yea God!, Confirming, Blessed.
2. What was your most common mental state this year?
Craig: Brain dead (from being in school).
Beth: Eager.
3. Which worries turned out to be unnecessary?
Craig: All of them.
Beth: What he said. But I’m a slower learner.
4. What was your favorite compliment that you received this year?
Craig & Beth: That we’re going to be great parents!
5. What new things did you discover about yourself?
Craig: I have discovered that simply having the desire to improve is not enough to actually improve. Change requires consistent action over time.
Beth: I discovered that with God I can rely on Him and be pushed (often uncomfortably) past my limits of what I thought was possible and be overwhelmed by His goodness. He has shown me that He is bigger than my fears, my worries, and my plan.
6. What advice would you give your early-2015 self if you could?
Craig: Keep your priorities straight.
Beth: Chill out, Beth. God’s got this.
7. What did you learn about God’s character this year?
Craig: God doesn’t change, we do. God is constantly pursuing us, and that means that He is continuously forgiving us and ready to accept us as we are. But know that if you make yourself available to Him, you will be challenged and blessed more than you can imagine.
Beth: God is steadfast. When you take a leap of faith, He is faithful to provide. I continue to be overwhelmed at His blessings this past year- truly amazing!
8. What obstacle did you overcome in 2015?
Craig & Beth: We began the adoption journey not knowing how we’d be able to afford it. We drastically changed our budget, but knew that this would not be enough to cover the adoption fees. Then, friends, family, co-workers, and complete strangers demonstrated an amazing out pouring of love and generosity. A little fundraising idea to make some ornaments turned into 230 ornaments and nearly $10,000. We haven’t reached our fundraising goals yet, but know that God will provide.
9. What Bible verse(s) were most important to you in 2015?
Craig: Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn’t grow tired or weary. His understanding is beyond human reach, giving power to the tired and reviving the exhausted. Youths will become tired and weary, young men will certainly stumble; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary. -Isaiah 40:28-31 (CEB)
Beth: In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. –Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)
10. What are you going to tell your grandchildren about the year 2015?
Craig: That was the year we started our journey that lead us to your mommy/daddy.
Beth: Oh yes, 2015. That was the year your grandfather and I said “yes” to God and He overwhelmed us with His goodness.
Happy New Year!
Craig & Beth
1. If you had to describe your 2015 in 3 words or phrases, what would they be?
Craig: Busy, Challenging, Growth.
Beth: Yea God!, Confirming, Blessed.
2. What was your most common mental state this year?
Craig: Brain dead (from being in school).
Beth: Eager.
3. Which worries turned out to be unnecessary?
Craig: All of them.
Beth: What he said. But I’m a slower learner.
4. What was your favorite compliment that you received this year?
Craig & Beth: That we’re going to be great parents!
5. What new things did you discover about yourself?
Craig: I have discovered that simply having the desire to improve is not enough to actually improve. Change requires consistent action over time.
Beth: I discovered that with God I can rely on Him and be pushed (often uncomfortably) past my limits of what I thought was possible and be overwhelmed by His goodness. He has shown me that He is bigger than my fears, my worries, and my plan.
6. What advice would you give your early-2015 self if you could?
Craig: Keep your priorities straight.
Beth: Chill out, Beth. God’s got this.
7. What did you learn about God’s character this year?
Craig: God doesn’t change, we do. God is constantly pursuing us, and that means that He is continuously forgiving us and ready to accept us as we are. But know that if you make yourself available to Him, you will be challenged and blessed more than you can imagine.
Beth: God is steadfast. When you take a leap of faith, He is faithful to provide. I continue to be overwhelmed at His blessings this past year- truly amazing!
8. What obstacle did you overcome in 2015?
Craig & Beth: We began the adoption journey not knowing how we’d be able to afford it. We drastically changed our budget, but knew that this would not be enough to cover the adoption fees. Then, friends, family, co-workers, and complete strangers demonstrated an amazing out pouring of love and generosity. A little fundraising idea to make some ornaments turned into 230 ornaments and nearly $10,000. We haven’t reached our fundraising goals yet, but know that God will provide.
9. What Bible verse(s) were most important to you in 2015?
Craig: Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn’t grow tired or weary. His understanding is beyond human reach, giving power to the tired and reviving the exhausted. Youths will become tired and weary, young men will certainly stumble; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary. -Isaiah 40:28-31 (CEB)
Beth: In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. –Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)
10. What are you going to tell your grandchildren about the year 2015?
Craig: That was the year we started our journey that lead us to your mommy/daddy.
Beth: Oh yes, 2015. That was the year your grandfather and I said “yes” to God and He overwhelmed us with His goodness.
Happy New Year!
Craig & Beth
