{Drawn from The Water} Bale's Story of Hope

I am so overcome with joy to share this post with you, that I don't even know where to start!  Recently I was given the opportunity to photograph some families up in Rocklin, California - this family being one of them.  When I met them & brieftly heard their story, I knew I wanted to share it on my blog.  Kenny & Stephanie quickly forwarded me some information on this organization called Drawn from the Water and after reading all the information on the organization and the story behind  Bale (Ba - Lee) (Kenny & Stephanie's newly adopted child from Ethiopia), I knew I had been apat of something special by being able to do something as simple as take their first family photo with Bale.  The video below explains how Drawn from The Water started and highlights Bale & her story.  Kenny & Stephanie have been kind enough to share their journey into adopting Bale and I would like to share that as well with you, so here is is:

"In February 2007, while flying home from Uganda I (Kenny) asked God to position our family to be better givers. The answer came in the form of bankruptcy. We lost everything except for one vehicle, learned humbleness, and how to rely on God in the process.

During this time, we became pregnant with our third child. We transitioned into a rental home and learned to re-prioritize family and finances.

After two years of maintaining a consistent, healthy pattern with our family and stewardship of our finances, we were blessed with our fourth child. In July 2009, immediately after the delivery, I (Stephanie) heard God speak to my heart to trust Him with our future children and to give Him control of how many children to add to our family whether it be natural children or by adoption. This was a paradigm shift for us, which took faith and obedience. This was not an easy pill to swallow.

In October 2009, during a Rock Seed Offering service, our church family was presented with the possibility of adopting from the Drawn From Water Orphanage in Ethiopia, an organization that rescues children deemed “mingi” by their tribe. Mingi means the children are cursed; the most common reason is because the top teeth grow in first. The children are tossed into the river or left in the wilderness to die. Drawn From Water has set up an orphanage for these children rescued from sure death.

By November, we were fully committed to adopt one of these beautiful children and begin to complete the necessary adoption paperwork.

In March 2010, we received an adoption referral for Bale, the first child rescued by Drawn From Water.

In May 2010, the Ethiopian Government deemed Bale our daughter, but because the U.S. Government requested more research and paperwork, it would be over three months before we could pick her up.

I (Kenny) flew to Ethiopia and met Bale on 9/11 – our gotcha date in adoption terms. In Ethiopia this date signifies Ethiopia’s New Year and there is celebrating in the streets as people wear traditional attire and put long grass in the streets and their homes. This is a time of expressing hopes and dreams for the future. This is indeed what we felt as we embraced Bale as our daughter.

During our early years of marriage Stephanie was diagnosed by doctors of having very little chance of getting pregnant. It was not until our 6^th year of marriage and after 1 ½  years of trying that we finally had our first child. We are now expanding our family to number six – Stephanie is now pregnant again!

Children are a heritage and a reward from The Lord. In our scenario, 2.5 kids would be ideal, but we are so thankful that God has bigger plans and ideas then our mere ones. Our quiver is very full and we are beyond blessed. Choosing to obey, give sacrificially, and trust God with our lives is a much more satisfying and exciting life. We are not missing out with that combination!

As we are getting to know Bale we are discovering how much she really fits into our family.  She is full of energy, loves to meet new people and make them feel special, and is showing lots of leadership qualities. Each of our family is learning to become a new an improved member of the Wahlberg clan as we discover the world of adoption.

God heard our cry to be givers and to make a difference in this world with our family; He has graciously provided. May God do the same for you as you trust Him for the cry of your own heart."

Here is Bale today, healthy, happy, and full of life!  Thank you Kenny & Stephanie for sharing your story & letting me be apart of something special by documenting your beautiful and growing family.


"For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord", plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plan to give you hope & a future".  Jeremiah 19:11