Koenig Family History

It all began in 1990, when Randy and Linda Koenig decided to adopt their first two children from Lima, Peru. In October of 1990 they traveled to Lima Peru and after spending three exciting months in the country, they brought home Callie and Katie. The girls kept both mom and dad busy with everything they did. In 1993, the Lord called Linda home from the workplace to train her children at home. They remained a family of four for the first six years of Callie and Katie’s life. Then in 1996, Randy and Linda adopted Kimi from Kansas City, Missouri. She was only three weeks old when they brought her home. The energy that Kimi has never ceases to amaze the family.

One year later, the family started adopting children from Guatemala. In 1997, two eight-month babies, Karli and Cassi, were welcomed into the family. The family knew that God had a sense of humor, because they now had three babies in the home! It would have been extremely chaotic, but Linda had a friend who showed her how to keep her house in order and to put her babies on a schedule. Being able to feed them at the same time, go to bed at the same time, play at the same time, etc, made life wonderful and full of excitement.

When the girls were two years old, they knew without a doubt that God had a sense of humor, because in 2000 two 2-year old boys entered the family. Antonio and Miguel made the home have four two-year olds and one three-year old ALL AT THE SAME TIME making the Koenig’s have FIVE toddlers! Yes, everyday was exciting and you never knew what funny things the children would do next! One year later, the Lord had our parents move from adopting babies to adopting older children. In 2001, Keri became a Koenig being eleven years old. Then in 2002, the only two biological siblings, Christy and Kaylia, came home. They were eleven and seven years old when they were adopted. The latter three all came from the same orphanage in Guatemala. As a result, Randy and Linda have ten adopted children.

Why are they called Twice Adopted?

The children’s group is called Twice Adopted, because they were adopted twice. First by their parents and secondly by God when they accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. “It’s the perfect name for our singing group, because we mainly sing Gospel songs. In addition, our parents have made this home such a fun and exciting home for us and we are so thankful to God for all He has done for us” – The Koenig Children.

How did the Singing Come About?

From the time Callie and Katie were two years old, their mom would teach them many songs at home and they started singing at their church. The singing in the home never died, but became much louder as more children were added into the family. In 2003, the children began singing at nursing homes and at a few churches (e.g. Calvary Baptist Church in Branson.) They trained themselves to sing songs with their parents as their coaches.

In October 2007, the family attended Music Evangelism Foundation’s “Down From His Glory – A Musical Celebration” for four presentations in Branson, Missouri at the Welk Theater. On the second night, their friend, Ralph Bullard, asked the children “Can you sing?” to which they replied “Well, I suppose we can.” Not very sure what he was getting at. “Well, I know the emcee and maybe I could get you to sing a song tomorrow night”. Later that evening the emcee, Mr. Jamall Badry, asked the family to come to the front and recognized them. The next day, not sure if we were going to sing or not, both Randy and Linda had the children practice in their condo holding spoons in their hands as microphones (Note: We rarely used microphones, so we had to practice how to hold a microphone as well.) That evening the entire family was nervous, but excited. Mr. Jamall Badry came to them and said if they had the time they would have them sing a song during the second half - MAYBE! At 10:15 PM already over schedule, the children were asked to come and sing a song. They sang their theme song “I’m Adopted” to 2,100 people that Friday evening. The crowd loved them! MEF members said that they must pursue their singing. The following year in 2008, MEF called and asked them to be a part of Down From His Glory 2008. They were ecstatic! That year they became the youngest members of Music Evangelism Foundation.

They wanted to continue singing, but didn’t know what God’s plan was. In February of 2009, while spending a relaxing vacation in Branson, they noticed a sign for auditions to perform at Branson Mall’s Center Stage. At the end of February, they were again in Branson and this time decided to call the number and see if they could audition. The manager, Mr. Brad Peterson, “happened” to be in the mall sitting by the stage, they auditioned, and at the end of March, Twice Adopted began performing in Branson. The Lord has shown his guiding hand to the Koenig’s and they are amazed at all He has done for them. The children have been able to be a blessing to many people from around the world and have loved every minute of it.

They have also met many personalities in the entertainment industry who want to help them with their singing career. “Dad would always tease us by saying when we came to Branson “Someday you might be singing here”. We always thought it impossible and thought of it as a dream for fun. Little did we know what the Lord had in mind, we are totally amazed!” – Twice Adopted
As the youngest of the family, Miguel has many siblings to look after him. He was 2 ½ years old when he was adopted. In 2008, Miguel accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. He loves to draw, help his sisters cook, read, and play board games. While performing, he enjoys surprising his sisters with his musical abilities. Miguel and Antonio are always inquired if they are twins. “No,” they reply, “We are only TWENTY days apart in age.” Miguel loves to please his family and works hard to do so. (Tenor)
Antonio was also adopted from the same orphanage as Miguel in Guatemala. He has been with the family since the year 2000. Antonio enjoys learning how to do “man’s work” from daddy. In addition, Miguel and he have the duty to protect their eight sisters like a knight in shining armor. Hobbies he enjoys are fishing, being outdoors, reading, and studying. Antonio accepted Jesus Christ as His personal Savior in 2002 and thinks it wonderful to be Twice Adopted. Miguel and Antonio were both adopted at the same time and were in the same orphanage in Antiqua, Guatemalia since they were infants. (Tenor)
Randy and Linda adopted Cassi in 1997 along with her sister, Karli. Cassi love to sing and since being adopted “Twice” in 2002, she enjoys making it known to others with her siblings. She is known as “the little cook”, that is probably her favorite hobby. Others include reading, fishing, exploring nature, teasing her older sisters, drawing, coloring, and swimming. Many times Karli and her are asked if they are twins, But no – they are only FIVE days apart in age! (Alto)
Karli became a Koenig when she was eight months old and accepted Christ in 2002. She loves to explore, play games, read, talk and sing. Since singing, she has become an excellent soprano and has quite a good range. Both Cassi and she were both adopted at the same time from Guatemala. The funniest mishap that happened to Karli on stage was the first time Antonio sang with her in “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better”. Antonio pushed her back and she fell flat on her back, but stuck her head up and continued singing “Yes I can!”, without missing a beat! (Soprano)
The Koenig’s “All American” girl was adopted from Kansas City, Missouri in 1996. Kimi, at one week old was the youngest child the Koenig’s adopted. God knew what He was doing, for although being bi-racial, Kimi blends in so well with the rest of the children. Only her natural curly hair gives her away. She enjoys being outdoors and loves almost any animal. Kimi is quite athletic; she can perform a one-handed cartwheel with ease. Kimi was saved in 2002. The children love telling people, “She’s extra special, because she is the only one who came to our family by van!”. (Alto)
Kaylia was seven years old when she became a Koenig. Christy and she are the only biological siblings in the family. In 2008, she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. Kaylia enjoys making jewelry, doing crafts, playing board games, swimming, singing and reading. She can always be caught smiling and loves to laugh. Christy and Kaylia were the last children adopted by the Koenigs. Keri, Christy and Kaylia were all adopted from the same orphanage in Guatemalia. (Alto)
Acknowledged as “The Comic” in the family, Christy can always find some way to keep the family laughing. She was adopted from Guatemala when she was eleven years old. She became “Twice Adopted” in 2002. Christy loves to make desserts, cook, read, sing and play the piano. She is also known for the wonderful servant’s heart that she has for her family. (Alto)
Keri was the first “older” child that the Koenig’s adopted. Keri came home in 2001. Being diligent in studying English, she learned it in six months well enough to return to Guatemala in 2002 to be a translator between her parents and Christy and Kaylia! She likes to read, sew, play the piano, listen to music and play card games. Keri accepted Christ as her personal Savior in 2003. Amazingly, Katie, Callie and her are only TWO weeks apart in age and none of them are biological siblings. (Soprano)
Katie came home to the U.S.A from Lima, Peru in January of 1991. As one of the oldest children, she understands the great responsibility she has in helping her family. God has blessed her with a beautiful soprano voice and she, along with Callie, plans most of the songs and programs that their group performs. Katie loves to read, talk, sing, organize & manage stage and house activities! Other hobbies include shopping, listening to music, sermons, and lectures, attending conferences and traveling. In 2003, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. (Soprano)
Callie was adopted from Lima, Peru in January of 1991. In 2003, she became “Twice Adopted”. She enjoys planning and teaching songs to her siblings as well as sewing, cooking, cleaning, traveling, helping mom teach her younger siblings, drawing, writing, listening to music and educational CD’s, attending conferences, studying and researching, and reading. She delights in being a stay at home daughter and helping her family in many ways. Callie loves to tease and be teased back. (Alto)