"It goes by so fast..."

Little John is 5 weeks old. It's really hard to believe that he has been here that long, and yet only that long. When I was pregnant I found many people telling me to "enjoy the pregnancy, it goes by so fast, soon he'll be here and you won't be able to sleep in anymore, you won't be able to have time with just your husband, etc...". Now John is here and he's in the prime of newborn-ness. He is precious and his tiny features blow my mind every time I examine them. The phrase "enjoy this time, it goes by so fast!" keeps repeating itself over and over. Not only from other people literally telling me this, but in my mind. The day to day can be tedious and tiring. I think there's a phrase "the days are long but the years are short". So yes, this is all true. Even at 3 in the morning when he's crying and wants to be walked around for 45 minutes before he even attempts to close his eyes, I try to remember to embrace this time. It's only been 5 weeks and seeing his little shirt he wore in the hospital makes me feel emotional. I already don't want him to grow up. However, I think there is a deeper desire I have, we all have.

There is one thing in common we all have, not just as parents who nostalgically long for the past when thier kids still had tiny fingernails and baby bird's hair, but the entire human race. We all pine for something. If you really think about it, it's simple. It's the reason we do what we do. We tend to live our lives in a constant, steady rush to fulfill and satisfy this longing. Sometimes there are seasons where this need is greater and we feel like we are scrambling around, rushing, going without stopping and sometimes there are seasons where things are slow, quiet and yet even still we are restless. There is a song I hear at church and the lyrics say " I am restless until I rest in You." We are all restless and as we live our lives together there seems to be a constant collision of emotions, actions, thoughts, words and stories about how we all just crave something more, something true and pure. Thankfully Jesus and his sacrifice and gift of eternal life is that thing, it is the only thing. No one seems to have found something other that can compare to this hope we have in Him. In only 27 years I have seen enough attempts by myself and others to know that anything but Him will fail and will disappoint us, leaving us with an even stronger need to satisfy this desire we all have.

And so its been a month with this baby boy. He will grow up and I will do my best to cherish the moments... only because I know I can't fully, and that's okay.

Welcome John Shepherd Koenig

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10:32 a.m our son was born, John Shepherd Koenig. He has already met so many friends and family over this past week. It's amazing how in just a moments time you all of the sudden have this other life in yours and you are completely changed. A true miracle he is and we are so thankful that we get to finally know this little guy!

Almost 2012

Merry Christmas card....
Surprise baby shower at the church I work for.
Suzanne Chapuis took some maternity pictures...
My two beautiful cousins on Christmas, Perrin Thompson and Kate Childrey.

Christmas has come and gone and we are now awaiting our baby boy. It has been an exciting season for us but still unbelievable that we've imagined to "settle" so quickly. We started off 2011 in Guatemala, then to Richmond for a month, then back to Montana for 3 months, then to the Outer Banks for a month, and ending up in Richmond in August. Now a baby is coming and he's been with us through it all!

Brenden has been working for a Chevrolet dealership here in Richmond for 5 months now. He is enjoying his job and looking towards the future to gain more experience and knowledge to eventually become a "master mechanic". I have stopped working for the time being with the after-school program and am now trying to stay busy and rest all at the same time while waiting for this baby to come. I think in the last week I have really come to terms with being pregnant and am ready for this baby to be in my arms.

One thing that we are experiencing in this time of anticipation is a deeper level of trust and faith. We are learning to get by on very little, something our time in YWAM has taught us, and to cherish the simple things in life. I can honestly say that there is nothing that compares. The less you have the less you need, and really the less you want. It's a very freeing feeling to learn to trust God in very literal ways on a daily basis. You start to thank God for little things and realize it is actually Him providing constantly instead of assuming we deserve a certain level of comfort. Also we are so grateful for the friends and family that have been there for us in this time. I can't tell you how much it has meant to us to have people remind us that everything will be fine and their excitement for baby K. We are blessed and privileged to be having our son in this time of our lives. We hope he can be part of a bigger story and we look forward to all the new adventures we'll have with him!

Newlywed's New Home

A few weekends ago a dear friend got married and her mom asked that I do a painting of the newlywed's new home. I'd never painted a house before but it turned out to be one of my favorites.

The Allen's House

11x14 oil on canvas

A Nursery for a Studio

Brenden and I have moved into a little apartment in Richmond, VA and are trying to "settle down" a bit after this last year of traveling and transitioning. However, we have decided that the term "settle down" does not mean we have to become boring:) Brenden is working as a lube technician at a Chevrolet dealership and I am working in the afternoons with an after-school program at Gayton Baptist Church. I am also on the substitute list for 2 local preschools, so in the mornings when I am not there I am trying to paint as much as I can.

It has been quite a change from living in a vibrant community of missionaries in the Big Sky country to being back in Richmond. We have loved living by the ocean and in the mountains where life revolves around the weather and the land, where it matters which direction the wind blows and how much snow will cover the roads. Richmond is a different story. However, we are liking it so far and trying to get involved at Hope Church as well as meet some new friends. We are learning daily to trust God with our lives and provision as we move into this next phase of life- jobs, parenthood, etc. We will not forget what He has done and of His faithfulness to us.

We have two bedrooms and for now I am using the baby's room as my art studio. As I work in there I come up with ideas for his room, Christmas gifts and hopefully some more art to sell in the future. I knew I wouldn't want a traditional nursery so instead I decided to cover his room with art and photography. Nothing makes me feel more peaceful than the turquoise sea. Hopefully he'll feel the same?!

"Sailboat at Sea"

24x24 oil on canvas

The beginnings of a nursery....Mom and Dad above the crib. Ha!

"Treasure Cay Walk"

36x48 oil on canvas

Back on the Back Porch

It's been over a month since we last posted. A lot has happened. Brenden and I spent our last week in Montana with our good friends, Suzanne and John, who flew out from D.C.
Despite the unpredictable Montana weather, we still managed to do some day hikes and show them a glimpse of the beauty of Big Sky country. As they prepared to head back east, we prepared to make the 3 day drive back to Richmond to watch my youngest brother John graduate. Then, our plan was to make our way to the beach in search of a new life.


...Oh yeah, how could I forget?

We are having a baby!! Brenden and I found out towards the beginning of May that we were pregnant. Shock and fear filled our minds but we were quickly overwhelmed by extreme excitement-and still are. January 9th 2012 we will welcome Baby Koenig into the world!

Ok so yes, we went to graduation, visited with the Thompson's for a few days then made our way down to the Outer Banks. Long story short- it didn't work out. Despite our initial hope that jobs were abundant in the auto mechanic field, weeks went by and through a chain of events realized that this place was not as promising for a year round job as we hoped for. Brenden had already started working for a Jeep dealership when a week later his boss came to him panicked about his business. He mentioned that he most likely wouldn't have work for him in the fall. After hours of discussion, some prayer and advice from my parents, we decided to move back to Richmond and make a life for ourselves there. We have been through a whirlwind this past year traveling, living in other people's places, moving and transitioning- what's one more move? Not to mention, we decided it was best to deal with the stress of moving and finding jobs now than later when the baby is almost here.

So we are back in Richmond. Brenden found a job at a Chevrolet dealership and he is starting out as a lube technician. The goal is to gain experience, knowledge, and training so he can eventually become a certified technician. He loves it. He is happy when he gets to spend his days using his hands, getting dirty and helping to make a car better.

I think the stress of these past few months has finally hit me and the tiredness of pregnancy has set in. Otherwise, I am feeling good and could not be more excited to meet this little guy or girl. Brenden always says "Who's in there?!?". It is such a mystery and miracle to think of a tiny person growing inside that will one day have a life full of joy and pain. Since being pregnant my maternal instincts have kicked in. There is a strange desire to do all I can for the baby, make sure it's safe, and worry about it's future or health. (FYI- stay away from obsessively reading on the internet- you'll just freak yourself out for no reason!)
All of these things are normal and yet I know that without God's grace and security He gives, I could not do it. It's just the beginning...

We are back home. Above is a little painting I did for my mom while sitting outside yesterday of her back porch. Next is a photo from a 7 week ultrasound- we could actually see that little blob's heart flickering! Then, a family photo from John's graduation and last, Suzanne and I on top of Blacktail Mountain- still a ton of snow!

Everything Must Come to an End

Since I have been posting all of my paintings I haven't been updating you all with what's been going on here in Montana. So, I'll give you a brief rundown of what's been happening with Brenden and I over the last few months.

We arrived here in mid- March to snow still on the ground and cold, cold rainy, windy weather. I think we had to remember we basically missed two months of winter by being in sunny Guatemala so we must pay our dues by not having a typical spring. In fact, not until last week has it become "warm" and "spring like". Thankfully though, it did eventually happen and the cherry trees are blooming!

Brenden has been working as a Mission Builder which is basically a full-time volunteer on the YWAM base. He spends 40 hours a week in their full-service auto shop doing anything from servicing the base's 15 passenger vans to changing oil to fixing someones brakes. Missionaries don't exactly have the best functioning cars so there is always a need! These past months have been such a blessing for him because he is actually doing what he loves full time. We were both curious to see how he'd still love mechanics after the "honeymoon stage" was over and I can honestly say that I've never met someone so excited and eager to do auto mechanics. Brenden would take it upon himself to help people out on the base by fixing their cars even on the weekends and evenings. Ultimately, we can say that he has definitely found his "calling" in life.

When I came out here I was originally going to work on base like Brenden, mosty in the cafeteria or housekeeping department. However, we were given the opportunity to stay in some friend's apartment while they were leading a team to Turkey. The timing worked out perfectly and so I was able to be an artist full time. Over these last months I have acquired quite a collection of paintings. I was amazed at myself how quickly I could work and how motivated I'd become when suddenly there was no other pressures from the outside. Not only have I been painting my brains out but I've had opportunities to use my gifts on the base. I got to teach a painting session to some current students and i've led worship on the base as well as at a local church. Not only have I been immersed in the music and art scene but I've been volunteering with a 3rd grade math class at Lakeside Elementary School once a week. I will have to say- it made me go home and relearn long division!! Also, I've been having a lot of fun working with a local youth group here in Lakeside. I've never worked with middle schoolers before so it's been quite an adventure to say the least. It's amazing though how God has just put me in these situations just because I've been willing. I seriously don't have tactics and skills and previous experience with some of this stuff and yet God has somehow used us in these kids lives!

As the end of May approaches we are nearer to the end of our time here. Originally Brenden and I were going to stay here in Montana for the summer. However, after a lot of thought and prayer we feel it's best that we head back to the east coast and kind of start our lives again. It was just about a year ago that we left our jobs at the schools in Cape Hatteras and started this crazy adventure. It has been one of the best years of our lives and we have so many memories and lessons learned. We are grateful and satisfied with this time of travel and exploration and getting to share all of this together. We will always look back on this time in our lives and say "remember when.."

Thanks to all of you who have helped us along the way. Your gifts, friendship, encouragement and support has kept us going this long! We look forward to seeing you back on the east coast!

"Self Portrait from Mirror"

18x18 oil on canvas

This was my first attempt to do a self portrait from real life. I've done one from a photo before but it was quite a challenge to look back and forth at yourself and the canvas and try to paint what you see. Although it slightly resembles me, I hope to try a few more versions in the future!

"Red Barn on the Flathead Lake"

16x20 oil on canvas

"Notch Bottom Barn"

28x22 oil on canvas