Elijah - 1 month old

Our hopes of being parents came true on May 21, 2011.  Weighing in at 9lbs 1oz, our baby Elijah Walker Griesse was born at Helios Klinik in Mullheim, Germany.  Four years ago, when Jonathan and I married.  We knew that we wanted to have children.  After trying for a couple of years, we did get pregnant, but it ended in a devastating miscarriage.  The doctor in Arkansas, actually classified us as "non-fertile".  Jonathan and I knew that only God could make that decision.  Thankfully, God did know and showed us his way.

Our plans to become missionaries and move to Germany were still in full action.  We arrived here in August 2010 and shortly after our arrival, to our surprise, we were pregnant.  What a great experience it has been.  Our Black Forest Academy community has been outstanding.  The doctor's and midwives were wonderful.  Our friends and family in the states have sent numerous packages.  We are just overwhelmed with the generosity!

On June 6th, Eli's Pawpaw and Lala Walker came to visit.......AND Aunt Emmy.  He was showered with many kisses and hugs.  Jonathan and I barely got to hold him during their 10 day visit.  While they were here we visited Triberg, Heidelberg, Lorrach, Freiberg Germany along with Basel, Switzerland and Riquewiher, France.  So our little one month old is a world traveler already!!

Currently, Jonathan's doing summer work at Black Forest Academy.  Next school year he will be the BFA Videographer and I will work part time in the Personnel Office.  We love working here and being a part of the Missionary Kids lives.