What's interesting about life is that you never know where it will take you. When I moved from Helsinki, via a few detours, to the plains of Seinäjoki, I didn't think I would ever return to the capital region. When I finally understood why Finland's largest cross stands above Seinäjoki, I found peace in my heart. The constant searching ended, and I no longer had to run around the world to find what I had been looking for all these years.
I began to enjoy being on the plains, the open fields, the slow and uncomplicated rhythm of life. So much so that I thought I would stay there. I remember how, returning from a trip to Helsinki, I was so relieved to be back home and on the riverbank for quiet evening strolls.
However, something in my heart started telling me about an approaching change. I traveled a lot during the year and felt that this was preparing me for something. Maybe I wouldn't stay in Seinäjoki after all. I prayed and waited. I graduated from the graphic design program and was incredibly restless about the upcoming autumn. Where would I go?
At the end of summer, I canceled my apartment and packed my bags for our first joint adventure across the seas. I had no idea where I was going. There was an exciting tingling feeling in my stomach, and soon enough, I felt a different kind of slight tingling in my gut. I didn't need to see a '+' sign to know that a new life had made my womb its first home.
I ran through green meadows and was startled by small deer rustling in the bushes. Sometimes I sat behind frosted café windows, watching passersby and wondering how on earth I had ended up here. I remembered my favorite Bible passage from childhood, and perhaps this was it:
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 
Finally, nausea hit hard. The previously lovely café smells were now revolting, and days passed largely in a fog matching the outdoor humidity. I was surprised by how difficult it was for me to adjust to the idea of future parenthood. Fortunately, there were still 9 months ahead, I thought.
How comforting and beautiful it is that God created man to grow from a small sprout, day by day, bigger and bigger. He gets to grow safely and peacefully from the turmoil of the world, while all the discomforts of pregnancy and emotional storms nurture the future mother. 9 months is not a coincidence, but God's plan.
Now 9 months have passed, we have settled back in Finland, under the shade of green trees and surrounded by birdsong. Today is the baby's due date. It feels wild how quickly time has passed. Perhaps I wish I had enjoyed the miracle of pregnancy more, but very soon we will meet him for the first time.
From the beginning, he has been existent and awaited. Created and redeemed. A small sprout. Our lemon baby.
"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16
Just as I was surprised a year ago to find myself on a plane with suitcases, I don't know today where the coming autumn and life with a lemon baby will take me. Deep down, I believe that the journey of motherhood will be the most interesting so far and will lead to new dimensions.
How Kaunis Virta will flow with a child remains to be seen. Somehow, I want to believe that Kaunis Virta will adapt and find new channels in the new everyday life. The flow will change, but perhaps it will eventually steer in a more suitable direction. Naturally, products aimed at children are more on my mind. The long-standing dream of writing children's books has also become more concrete.
I wanted to paint this small collection of paintings before the arrival of the lemon baby, but also with the idea of experimenting with illustrating using gouache paints. All paintings are available in the online store, and you can support the continuation of Kaunis Virta by ordering products from the online store, which will mainly be shipped by my husband while I focus on caring for the lemon baby. My husband has been behind Kaunis Virta from the beginning, and I probably never would have re-established the company without him.
I'm now settling into the baby bubble here, and I wish you blessings for your summer. I'll return to the blog and the company during suitable calm periods,
Sara
