And the total is...

After 26 months of photographing and $11,100 raised, I will officially be taking a photography break and sending off the money to Charity:Water to fund water projects in Africa ($6100 is already building a water well in Rwanda that should be complete and providing clean water within 6 months). Thank you all again for your prayers and support of this project. I have been touched by everyone's generosity and am convinced that we were intended to be the hands, feet and finances to be blessings to this world and together we can make a huge impact on people's lives. Thank you again, and for your viewing pleasure, here's the video that was my final conviction to begin this project. 

http://vimeo.com/2942875

The Final Campaign!

Hello All,
This marks the beginning of my fourth and final campaign for Charity:Water.  With $6100 raised in online campaigns and $4000 raised through photography, I will be ending my efforts at Christmas time.  I am, however, looking to finish strong with the beautiful fall weather and many people wanting outdoor family pictures for those Christmas cards.  I would, of course, love to reach the $5000 earned through photography to finish off this project.  With a very generous anonymous online donor bringing the total to $10,000, I feel that a completed water well was accomplished and that is what God placed on my heart and so I set out to do.  God's plans are always grander than our own and when the anonymous donation was posted, I was overwhelmed with joy and appreciation!  I know the $5000 will also come to fruition as I am realizing more and more that this was never my mission to accomplish, but rather God's mission through me.  I feel grateful for this calling and have to say that over the past few weeks I have been feeling a new calling - to be salt and light to the world.  I haven't figured out exactly what that will entail, but as with this project, I will continue to pray and to keep you all posted once those plans are placed on my heart.  May you all listen for those tuggings on your heart and follow where they lead.  I can say that the ride is amazing!

Good News and...

I just had another anonymous donation to my Works4Water campaign on the Charity:Water website.  This is great news!  More great news is that I currently have $4000 raised to build the water well.  The not so good news is that the $5000 I initially set out to raise two years ago to pay for the  building of a water well in Central Africa has now increased to $6000 ($10,000 if I wanted to build a drilled well, which was also my original intent).  Now, is this really bad news?   Absolutely not, as the campaign on Charity:Water has earned $3240 and I have $4000 sitting in the bank, all of which is going to support water projects where they are needed.  That's all good.  Am I a bit discouraged that I will not be personally building a complete water well through this photography project - yes!  However, I am reminded that this is not about me.  This was never about me.  This was always about God placing this need on my heart,  gifting me with an interest in photography and setting me off on a path to bring the two together.  Will people have access to clean water thanks to all of your support?  Absolutely, and that, my friends is GOOD NEWS!!  So, thank you again for your support and know that this support is bringing clean water to those in need.  God is good and that is GREAT NEWS!!

Let the Summer Fun Begin!

Summer has arrived - well at least summer vacation, and that means a wonderful change of pace.  No more checking book bags, homework, remembering to where pink socks on Tuesday for a school activity... I love the pace of summer!  I also love the fun times - amusement parks, vacations, and family field trips.  It is also an opportunity to capture pictures of  pure joy in our children's faces as they play, run or jump through sprinklers.  I love photographing children outside as they explore and play.

I have $1300 to raise to build this water well and am feeling as ambitious as ever to complete this project.  As an outdoor photographer, I am willing to go wherever to catch those beautiful moments of family fun.  Maybe you're having a family reunion and would like a photographer on hand to catch some candid shots as well as some photos of the families.  Maybe your children are playing a summer sport and you'd like some pictures of them in action.  Maybe you're headed to the Botanical Gardens and would like me to catch some beautiful shots with all of those spectacularly beautiful blooms!  I am up for new photography opportunities, so bring them on!  Thanks to all of those who continue to support this project and for sharing my information with others.  As I look at the pictures I've taken of our children since I began this project two years ago, I realize what a treasure beautiful pictures can be.  I look at this as a win/win.  You get precious family pictures that you will treasure in addition to knowing that you are playing a part in bringing clean water to other families who have none.  What could be better?

And to all those fathers out there, happy father's day to you!  You are a blessing to your children and families.  I love that my children have both the comforting, calm love from myself and the crazy fun, chasing, tickling love of their father.  It is a combination that all children should experience and I thank God everyday that our children have this!  

Spring...where are you?

I am anxiously awaiting warmer weather, beautiful flowers, and the return of outdoor pictures!  I am $1700 away from the $5000 to build the well and still believe this will happen this year.  If you are considering having pictures taken this spring, I would truly appreciate the opportunity to photograph you and your family.  I also appreciate you passing my information along to new families and thank you to those of you who have done this.  I have met many new people through this process and love the support of friends, acquaintances and strangers who are all tied together for this cause!  I am looking forward to the day when I can announce to you all - YOU have built a water well in Central Africa.  Please continue to pray for this project and have a blessed Easter.

Winter Wonderland

Well (no pun intended as I am trying to build a water well), winter has set in and, as usual, my picture taking has stalled.  Having said that, I received a second anonymous $1000 donation on my works4water campaign on the Charity:Water website:  http://mycharitywater.org/works4water2.  This is my second campaign on the Charity:Water website and I am always amazed at the donations these campaigns raise!  I began taking pictures over a year ago in order to raise $5000 to build a water well in Central Africa.  I currently have $3300 towards that goal.  I randomly set up a campaign on Charity:Water's website for those who may have wanted to donate but were not in need of any pictures, and have since raised $2690 on that site.  I was always under the assumption that people would be more likely to give if they were getting something in return, hence the picture taking endeavor.  However, I am learning that many people just like to give!  I truly do enjoy photographing families and am thrilled that so many people have been so supportive, complimentary and generous towards my photography.  I hope to take enough pictures to actually complete this water well before the end of 2013.  What has surprised me and changed my own thinking - which is often how God works - is that others, including myself, can give just to give.  Not for something in return.  Not for any recognition (as I've received $2000 in anonymous donations).  Not for any other reason aside from they feel blessed and wish to bless others.  It's a difficult concept to grasp, and one that I truly had not practiced on a regular basis.  Sure I'd go to a pancake breakfast and after enjoying my half-stack, feel like I'd done my part.  But through this project, my heart has changed, and a goal for my future is to give.  Not expecting any recognition.  Not because I get pancakes, etc.  But simply because I am blessed and want to be a blessing in return.  I am once again realizing that God places these projects on our hearts not only to help the world, but to change us in the process.  I am changing, and I wouldn't want it any other way :)

New Year's Resolution 2013: Build a water well

Happy New Year!  I feel this is the year the well will be built.  With $1800 to go, I truly believe this is the year!!  The weather has turned very cold and, as in the past, picture taking has stopped.  However,  I know that spring is around the corner and with that comes many picture-taking opportunities!   My online Charity:Water campaign has ended with a total of $1690 raised.  This money is now on it's way to assist current water projects in Ethiopia.  Within 18 months I will receive word on exactly what water projects received these funds.  I see the continued and overwhelming need for us to be the hands, feet and finances for Jesus in this world and to do whatever we can to bring clean water to all who need it.  Thanks again for all the support and prayers and best wishes for a beautiful new year!!