Friday, October 12, 2012

OUR BLOG HAS MOVED!

Our BLOG as moved! You can now find us at www.tibsandsweettea.wordpress.com.

We had some issues with renovating this blog so we moved to wordpress.  Happy Reading!

Russ and Anna

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Day 30- Last day!

Today is Day 30 of 30/30/30! What a wild and incredible month. I cannot wait to get a total of all that has been given to Bring Love In this month. It has been amazing to see God working through so many different people...many I have not known until now. I cannot believe the 30 days are almost over. But I am still so excited that we have TODAY! 1 more day to provide permanent homes for Ethiopian children through the 30th birthday fund. Will you please consider giving, sharing the video, or praying for the ministry of Bring Love In? Thank you so much for ALL the support. Love you guys! Anna http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qzfUWWp89fk

Friday, June 29, 2012

30/30/30 Day 29

What a wild month!!  We officially hit $30,000 on Wednesday, June 27th!  We were at $29,000 and I received a text from one of my best friends saying that she had just given $1,000 so we had gotten to $30,000.  What a precious moment.  The kids and I had gone to Camp Lake Stephens with Russ to help him get ready for a retreat.  Camp Lake Stephens means so much to Russ and I - we both worked there, and were even engaged and married there.  We were riding around on the mule when I got word.  Love that God ordained us to be somewhere so special when I got the news.  Even more special that my good friend was the one that enabled us to get to $30,000.  She tried to give several times throughout the month but it wouldn't work for some reason. When she saw $29,000, she knew God had ordained that moment.

Last night, we were able to travel to Corinth where Tate Baptist Church youth girls had an auction donating all money to Bring Love In.  It was amazing.  Over 50 people gathered, bidding on donating items.  They had such generous hearts. Last I heard they made around $3,400!!!  Unbelievable.

I cannot wait to see how much God provides above and beyond $30,000.  Will you please help spread the word today and tomorrow for the last 2 days of giving?


Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzfUWWp89fk



Thank you so much for ALL the prayers, sharing, and giving!

Anna

Ephesians 3:20
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Day 20 - UNBELIEVABLE

I am sitting on the deck listening to the waves crash on the shore. My family and I have been at the beach this week.  As we were preparing to leave on Friday, I had a few feelings of not wanting to go. Not because I wouldn't want to spend the week with my family but simply because I felt like there was too much to do with the 30/30/30.  On Friday, we were at $8,000.  Way behind my "scheduled" goals. I have been able to do some work for 30/30/30 this week but mostly God has told me to be still, play with my kids, and pray. This has been so hard for me.  Not quite sure what I thought I would be doing if I was not out of town, but I "thought" that I needed to be in Tupelo.  What if someone needed me? HA!

God brought me away to the beach and while I am away, OVER $12,000 has come in the past 48 hours.  This brings the total to a little OVER $20,000. God is doing this and it is all for HIS Glory.

I am praising Him for today.  I am praising Him for using someone like me and for pricking my mind and heart so much that I could not say no. I am praising Him for the many people who are playing a part in this. We have had people sharing, raising funds, praying, and donating.  The thing I love is that MANY people are choosing to play a part.

I received this picture today of 3 teenage girls and their lemonade stand to raise money for 30/30/30. How beautiful to see teenage girls taking action and doing their part!


Thank you so much for sharing, being creative with raising funds, donating, praying, etc. I am truly grateful.  We have 10 days left and I cannot wait to see what God does.


Monday, June 18, 2012

I am so thankful for two newspapers that did articles on 30/30/30!  What a great opportunity to help spread the word!  Will you read and share? We are at Day 18 and as of several days ago, we were at around $8,000!





Will you help share 30/30/30? Will you ask church members, co-workers, friends, and others to do the same?

If you have an idea of how I can spread the word OR raise funds, I am all ears! 12 days left to reach our goal.

Thanks so much

Friday, June 15, 2012

Deuteronomy 28:12

Today, we are half-way through the month.  The past two weeks have flown by.  I get a little nervous when I hear that we are at Day 15 since we are not at $15,000.  In my brain I think that the amount of money we have raised should be the same as the day of the month we are on.  This logic is flawed and may not be at all how God wants this whole thing to work.  I have so many people say to me that it is just fine if we don't reach $30,000.  Which is so true.  No matter how much we raise, lives are being changed.  But to me, $30,000 was the number God gave me.  So I am filled with hope that He will make it happen.  I was telling a friend that I had no idea how much doing this would challenge my faith.  Ideally, God told me to do this so why didn't $30,000 come in the first week and then we could call it a day?  No idea.  I even told Russ last week that I just needed someone to give me $15,000 :)  His reply was that maybe I just needed a lot of people to give a little.  So, I am praying for a multitude of people to be a part of what is happening in Ethiopia. 

A friend sent this verse as a prayer for 30/30/30:

The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

Deuteronomy 28:12

Lord, this is my prayer for your people for your glory.

Thanks so much for continuing to pray, share, and give.

Monday, June 11, 2012

30/30/30 Day 11

What an amazing 3 days we have had!  Saturday, my actual birthday, was great!  I spent Saturday morning eating breakfast with Russ and the kids.  We then went on a hike and I then spent the afternoon and night with friends at the lake.  Oh, and I water-skied for the first time in 2 years (pregnant last year so I skipped out).  Let's just say I MIGHT have been a little sore on Sunday. I will post pics from this weekend soon!

Here are a few highlights from 30/30/30 over the past 3 days:

1- An Ethiopian man living in Minnesota sent me a message on Facebook saying that he watched my video and that he loved what Bring Love In is doing!
2- A little boy needed signs so that he could display them when he does his lemonade stand to benefit 30/30/30.  Precious.
3- I completed the first of 2 newspaper interviews.  Yay for new ways to share about the plan!
4- Lynn Replogle is having a baby swim class (in Tupelo) June 18-21 from 6-645pm for kids ages 6mos-2yrs with all proceeds going to 30/30/30. Email me if you are interested and I can give you her contact info. Lucy took from her last week and loved it! Thanks Lynn!
5- Friends that are constantly trying to get others to post, tweet, or share about 30/30/30.  Kellie from Kidd Kraddick re-tweeted. Hoping some of the others we contacted will choose to share.

Also, my friend Alison, who is adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia shared about 30/30/30 as well.  Click HERE to read.

I would also ask you join Bring Love In in fasting and praying tomorrow.  They have clearance to move in kids but have experienced a few paperwork delays.  We are praying that the obstacles would be removed and that children could begin moving in.  Head to www.bringlove.in to read more about what they do and to receive updates. Click HERE to read about their plan for Tuesday.

It has been a busy yet wonderful few days.  Cannot wait to get a donation update. I am posting the video once again in case anyone is new to this page.


Thank you so much for donating, praying, and sharing! 19 more days! 

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Happy Birthday to me.

We are at $6,582!  I am so excited!

Today is my birthday so I will be officially celebrating being 30!  The way people have given to and shared the 30/30/30 makes this birthday the best yet. I would normally not ask for birthday presents...especially from total strangers, but I don't mind asking about this.

I am asking for help in really pushing 30/30/30 TODAY.  I ask that you would show this video with ANYONE that you could and ask them to give TODAY.  I would love to be at $10,000 (or $30,000 would be great too :)) by the end of the day.  Know how thankful I am!



Also, be prepared for some cute pictures of my kids helping me celebrate.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Day 8

Day 8

I haven't gotten an update since June 5th but on that day we were at $4,700.  Tomorrow (Saturday) is my actual birthday and I am hoping and praying to be at $10,000 by the end of the day! 

For those of you just tuning in, you can catch up on what's happening by watching this video.


Also, exciting things are happening at Bring Love In! Click HERE to read more about the timeline of kids moving in.

Thanks again!  Please continue to share.  If you have the opportunity to show the video to others, I would really appreciate it!

Believing the God is going to do great things in Ethiopia.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Day 6 30/30/30

Thank you so much for continuing to help spread the word about the 30/30/30!! We are at the close of Day #6. Something happens each day that let's me know God is in control.

I have issues with control. Even with the project, I think I need to do more or I begin to panic about not meeting my goal. I become consumed with what others think. It's tempting to focus on my own ability, rather than helping others or on God's power. Putting myself out here, being on a video, and trying to spread this story has been a little unsettling. Yes, I believe I must work hard to try and raise money, but I must not forget that God can do more than I ever ask or imagine. My prayer is that when others watch the video, they will not see Anna Polsgrove. My prayer is that when others watch the video, they will see a chance to be a part of something amazing. I have had a few people send me flattering comments. And while I selfishly like to hear it sometimes, this project is not about me. It's about the story God is writing.

Levi and Jessie at Bring Love In had a post today about getting more kids more quickly than they thought.  Please read the blog post HERE. This made me realize even more about God's timing with this project. What are the odds that we are raising money and they are taking in more and more kids? 

Highlight for today: Getting RT on Twitter from a journalist in Norway.

Let's take this story to other countries around the world! Do you have a way you can help do this?  Please feel free to share the story or email me at annapolsgrove@gmail.com.

Thanks again for being part of this. 24 days to go!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

30/30/30 Day #5

The past 5 days have been incredible!  So amazing to see so many people join in on this journey. 

Day #2 Highlights: Getting asked to do an article in a Mississippi newspaper and a FB friend challenging 30 of her friends to donate and make a difference. Around 11 am on this day we were at $2,100

Day #3 Highlights: A sweet 5 year old little girl named Anna Grant handing me a wad of her money to donate to children her age in Ethiopia. When she handed me the money, I wanted to cry just thinking about the concept of her giving at such a young age.


Day # 4 Highlights: Several friends have offered to give the 30/30/30 a part of the proceeds from their individual work efforts.  31, Mary Kay, painting parties, clothing parties and the list goes on.  Thank you for thinking outside of the box and offering to make a difference!

Day #5 Highlights: Hearing the news at around 10 am that we were at $4,700! 

We are almost 1/6 of the way there!  Thanks for all of the support.  I take no credit in what God is doing.  Blows my mind when I see the list of who has given and shared the info and I don't know over half of the people.  What a journey!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Day #2 of 30/30/30

What an amazing 2 days it has been.  At the end of Day 1, the video on YouTube had been watched around 700 times and we had raised around $1,000.

We are now at the end of Day #2.  Currently, the video has been watched on YouTube almost 900 times.  I do not have a donation total for today but I know around 11 am we were at $2,100. 

Highlights for today:

Seeing names of people that I do not know giving money.  Not because of me but simply because they care and were moved to act.

Having a Facebook friend challenge 30 of her friends to donate.

Getting the opportunity to have an article done on 30/30/30 in a Mississippi newspaper.

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for you being on this journey with us.

Love,

Anna






Friday, June 1, 2012

30/30/30






Today is June 1st.  Today is an important day.  God has asked me to write a new story and I couldn't be more excited/nervous.  For this to happen though, I am going to need the help of all of you :) Please take a minute to watch this video.  I would love for you to share the video on your blog, email, FB, Twitter, etc.  I cannot wait to see how He provides!


Also, I would really appreciate if you would make the above picture your profile picture on FB as well as sharing it through email, Twitter, etc.  Basically, I need you to tell every person you can find about this! 30 days is a short time to raise $30,000 but I know we can do it! I will be doing updates and talking a little more about this story throughout the next 30 days.  Thank you so much for the support!  Let's do this together!

Anna

Friday, May 18, 2012

30th Birthday

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up to be on the look-out on the blog around June 1st!  I turn 30 June 9th and wanted to do something special to celebrate.  I have decided to raise funds during the month of June for a group that is special to my heart.  God began to show me the plan for this in February and has been slowly revealing all the details since then.  Check back soon for more details and to help spread the word.  It will truly take help from lots of sweet people to reach our goal.

Details will also be on my Facebook page

I am so excited to see how God raises this money.  I am a little nervous setting such a large goal but I KNOW this is what I am to do and God can totally do it!

I cannot wait to share the details! 


Saturday, May 5, 2012

9 months home

Lucy, 13 months, 1st day home 8/5/11

Lucy, 22 months, 5/5/12

What a difference 9 months can make! As we were out with Lucy in the pool today, I thought back to Lucy's first day home. She was a tiny (16 pounds) little girl that was smiling yet so scared in her new home. I thought I would take a look back at that picture and when I did I realized it was exactly 9 months to the day. Today, as we played, she was talking, calling us Mommy and Daddy, running around, and having so much fun. Thank you Lord for the way you are growing us together as a family!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Save Me from Myself


Mighty God, who created the waters
but also the grip of an infant son
In some ways so visible and clear
In some ways shrouded in mystery
Unknowable, yet approachable,
Invisible, yet  breathable,
Save me from myself

Monday, April 30, 2012

Christmas 2011

Lucy, 18 months; Rivers, 1 week

 I am just a tad late putting these on the blog.  I wouldn't bother but I am going to print out our blog at the end of the year and want these to be in there.  Christmas was only 4 months ago ;) I added a few captions to each picture...I am finding out that I don't remember as much detail as I think I will.....Also, sorry for the pics being turned wrong. I thought I fixed them but since it took so long to download, I think I will just leave them this way ;)

What a Christmas we had.  Rivers' birth and Lucy's first Christmas all in 1 week.  What a special time we had teaching her about Jesus' birth.  She doesn't remember much but she knows the name JESUS. Every time she says it I just want to cry.

Christmas Eve morning we went to my grandmother's and Christmas Eve night we went to our church's Christmas Eve Service. I hated to get Rivers out- only being 10 days old- but I cried through the entire service last year missing Lucy so I was determined we would go as a family of FOUR this year.  I wrapped Rivers up in my sling and stayed in the back most of the time but such a special night!  We came home after the service, played with Lucy, read the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible, put Lucy to bed and then the three of us watched a Christmas movie.

Christmas morning Russ went to church so the kids went on their first outing with just Mama. We stopped by my dad's and went by Granny's before heading home. Coco and Will came to visit that night. 




December 23, 2012- Russ and I took Lucy to Ballard Park for some quality time together and to slide and see the lights.


Making Candy Cane Pizza. Thanks Pinterest!
Making cookies to decorate.
Handprints with CoCo


Our attempt at making garland......



Christmas Eve at Meme's - Rivers and Poppy
Meme and Rivers



Rivers, 10 days old



Stockings at Meme's- LOVE seeing these together!


Opening presents at Meme's


Christmas Eve 2011





Lucy loved her nativity set.


Christmas Morning 2011




Yes, Lucy got a light saber.



So tiny!!

River's gift from Mama.


Lucy and her cleaning trolley from Nana and T. This child loves to clean!

Couch time on Christmas morning.

Stockings at Poppy's house.




Christmas Morning 2011

Lucy and the chair Poppy gave her.
Lucy and Cason riding the gator....

Kitchen set from Coco

Uncle Will helping Lucy open her baby doll.





Playing the keyboard with Coco.