A Year for Living Water :: A Year of Radical Giving

If you had asked me two months ago what my goal for 2014 was, it was have been a very strong and very straightforward - "Work from home." You see, just after Ryan and I got married, I decided it was time to set a date to be a full-time photographer. So I set a date, and started working towards the goal. I started making budgets, equipment needs, business research, taxes, branding, etc. None of that has really stopped, but my goal has changed entirely. 

Our (amazing) church, Ecclesia Houston, supports Living Water International (if you haven't heard about it - check it out here). There are events, art markets, and gift cards that go to raising money to build water wells around the world. Every year I am amazed at the amount raised for the organization. I am even more amazed when I check in with their Facebook orBlog and am able to see the faces and communities that have been forever changed by receiving clean water. 

As we were sitting in church the first weekend of Advent, a stirring began in my heart. Our pastor, Chris, made the announcement that in 2014, the Ecclesia goal was to raise enough funds to build a water-well in each of the 23 countries that LWI currently works in, as well as two additional countries. 

25 countries. 

As Pastor Chris often does, he laid a question on the congregation, asking what we could give to make this goal a reality. This is when the stirring really began.

What can I do? 

So the stirring became planning, and while the planning is no where near finished, the goal is set, and the foundation is laid. Rather than aim to save up a nest-egg and work from home, Smith House Photography aims to donate $30,000 to Living Water International by December 31, 2014. 

Yes, you read that number correctly. Thirty-Thousand. Radical Giving. That is what Ryan and I are calling this year. 

Now here's the thing: that is a huge number. HUGE. And significantly more than I made in my photography business in 2013. But as I prayed about my goal, the number stood out so prominently to me that I know it is what the Lord wants me to aim for. But I can't do it without help from my clients. 

So how can you be a part of this? (I hope you are asking this question!)

1. Book a session. 

This probably seems the most obvious, but it is indeed the most significant for my goal. I will be posting again soon what the breakdown of your session fee looks like, and how much of it exactly will go to LWI. 

2. Donate. 

You can, at any time, donate directly to LWI by going to their website. While your donation will be separate from the Smith House Photography goal, it will be just as beneficial to LWI - and that is what really matters. 

3. Join me. 

Do you have a small business, a money-making hobby, a craft that you sell? Take a step back, look at your finances, and see what you can give instead of keep in 2014. I'm not the most business-saavy person, but I would be more than happy to help you if you want to take the sames steps I am taking. 

4. Help with Equipment/Business Expenses. 

Along with this incredible donation goal, comes incredible business, donation, and tax paperwork that I (so-far) have not a clue about. If you have knowledge in this area, I would graciously accept your help. It will save me overhead fees of having to go through a lawyer or consultant, and will allow me to donate more to LWI. 

The same goes for equipment. I currently rent many of my lenses, and have a goal to purchase three new ones this year to save on these rental fees. If you have equipment that you don't use, or if you know somewhere that sells used gear at reasonable prices, send the information my way! Again, anything I can do to lower over-head will be helpful in my overall donation amount. 

5. Pray. 

This is last, but it certainly is not least. I ask for any and all prayers throughout the year. Some specific prayer requests are for 1) open hearts from my clients, 2) for my energy and desire for the goal to not grow weary, 3) for no hiccups on the business side/paperwork. I definitely need prayers now, as I start out the year, but I will need prayers just as much in April, and September, and December. 

Now that this is officially the longest, least graphic, blog post I have ever made, I will bring it to an end. As I mentioned above, I plan to put together another post out-lining what this looks like financially/on a session-to-session basis. (Another tip I am taking from our church - be completely open and honest with finances!) 

I look forward to the year ahead, and am so excited for those of you who will be walking alongside me throughout the journey. 

Cheers.