I can't believe it has been three weeks since I wrote. The weather was been amazing and I have really seen the beauty of our area. There are basically two roads that take you through Great Falls. Normally, I take 10th Street South. This street is the major hub of activity...traffic lights, eating places, the mall, etc, but for the last week, I have taken River Road. As you may has guessed, River Road is where the river runs....:O)....the Missouri River runs on this side of town and can I tell you that there is beauty and tranquility when I am driving. I like to watch the small waves and the sunrise on the water. There is less traffic, so you can enjoy the view. You do have to watch the birds crossing the street, but other than that...beauty. On this route, you will also see the falls. One day, I just had to stop and take a picture. It is so beautiful!!! I like to watch the water rushing and eventually become calm. I like to see it flow down the stream and allow my thoughts to wash away. The closer you get to the base, you begin to see the mountains. The sight is so majestic that is takes my breath away. You can see the mountains in the distance, snow caped and serene. When I see both locations, I just think about God's glory and am amazed at what He has created. It also prepares me for my day, because I work in a land of unpredictability. (Can we say faculty are off the chain!!) In any case, Montana is growing on me....but don't get it twisted, I still like my sun and heat. The less it snows, the more it grows. :O) Love ya!

A New Reason to Celebrate

As we embark on history, I am reflecting on the amazing contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am hoping our nation won't forget the sacrifice Dr. King made to pave the way for our dreams to be realized. What an amazing feeling to see the fruit of his labor. If Dr. King was here, I am sure he would be honored to witness history continuing, but I am sure he is viewing history for his "mountain top" and will still get to see the "promise land". I am honored to be the continued recipient of his good works, dedication, compassion and love for people. When I look at how African American are able to completed degrees, get amazing jobs and live where we want, I am humbled. I tried to think about my parents and the battles they faced when looking for employment, wanting to vote, looking for approporate and affordable housing, trying to make a better way of life for their children and now watching the First African American President...again, I am humbled.

When I watch President Elect Barack Obama become President Barack Obama, I will remember the dream that came true. Today, we spent the morning celebrating at the University of Great Falls (UGF). Cory spoke (along with Pastor Caldwell from Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church) and our Gospel service sang with the campus singers. This was an amazing experience as UGF is a Catholic school. I pray the experience will expand the minds of people and, as Chaplain Smith (Cory) reminded us...to continue building the wall of justice and unity. I have included pictures...aren't you proud of me. Smooches!!! Jamie

The Smith's New Journey

I know, I know.....where are the pictures...I am still without my equipment, so I ask for your patience. I did want to update you on some amazing news. Cory and I submitted our adoption application on Tuesday and received our pre-service training letter in the mail today. In Montana, you are required to undergo 18 hours of training before they proceed with your process. This is exciting!!!! The training will take place towards the end of this month.

From what I understand, once we complete the training, we will be assigned a case worker and begin the home study process. I am humbled to think we could be parents!!!! We are going to be screened for both foster and adoption...they are desperate for foster parents, so we will probably be foster parents first, but we are good with that. Whoever God places in our home will be a blessing to us. Continue to pray for us!!! This will be a journey and journey's come with their share of ups and downs. I pray for more ups than downs, but we just want to be in His will, so please pray.

Love ya much!!

C & J

Happy New Year's...three days later....

Happy New Year's Everyone!!! As some of you know, we were in San Diego for about four days for the Holiday Bowl game. It was excited to be around our OSU people, but the loss was devastating. There are no words to describe our disappointment with the team, but it was nice to see the Cowboys in action. Again.....can we say new defense and defensive coach!!!

The experience was nice, but I would love for our OSU alumni siblings and their families to attend the next time. he vision I saw was our families tailgating, sporting our OSU gear, singing the chants like only alums can and having a wonderful time. Hint, hint....start saving your money for next year....you never know.

We also LOVED the warm weather. Can we say sunshine everyday....that is what I am talking about!!! Any place you can wear shorts and boots is my kind of place. Our flight was delayed coming back from San Diego and we hoped we would be delayed for an additional day. Hey, I am not ghetto, but honest. A sister was trying to get a free meal, free room and payment for our plane ticket from Daddy Delta....:)

There are some pictures, but not as many as I would like. Our camera quit on us...on day two. You know we were not happy. We found this out at the pier on the way to the pep rally, so I began taking pictures with my cell phone. As soon as I figure out how to get the pictures from the phone to the computer, I will post them.

The weather was pretty decent when we returned from San Diego, but took a turn on Friday morning. We almost had a white out. The snow was high, the wind was strong and it was cold. Jamie had to go to work, but the base commander closed the base at 11:30am, so she got to come home early. Today, we have sun and no wind. I will take it!!!! Well, until later....love you all!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends. Cory and I pray your day was blessed full of fellowship and food. Our day was enjoyable as we fed over 20 people, got to spend time with a friends from Germany and really focused to what God wants for our lives. I am grateful He continues to inform us of the areas we need to change and walk with us down the path towards excellence. He is awesome!!!

WOW...Montana is nose hair freezing cold!!!

I know God loves me...so that is what I think about every time I step outside and feel my nose hairs freeze!! A different kind of cold is an understatement. Over the last two weeks, we have had snow, more snow and extremely cold weather. We have been living with "negative" temperatures for the last week with no change in sight. I didn't know one could be so cold.

I must admit, the area looks beautiful, but no joke...it is COLD. It is bone chillin', nose hair freezing, hard to breath, throw hot water in the air and watch it crystallize cold. Kisha....can you feel me?!?!?! I know OK gets cold, but you don't get -35 degrees....but MT does!!

I would take pictures (and I will), but all I can think about it getting into my house. We will have a white Christmas and do look forward to trading my winter wonderland for sunny San Diego. Yes we are heading to the Holiday Bowl to watch OSU beat the University of Oregon. We will spend 4 warm, glorious days hanging in Cali!!!

Well...I will end here. I need to find out if we are hosting a Christmas meal at our house. We have been informed we live in the boonies...we actually live 7.9 miles away for the base, but it has never stopped them from coming to our house and eating our food. What can I say...we fellowship with the under 25 crowd. I love them!!! God Bless...

A Different Kind of Cold

This week we experienced a pretty good snow. I believe we got 4 to 6 inches. The thing that shocked me the most was how cold it got. Germany got cold, but this Montana cold was a different kind of cold. Oh my gosh.....I only heard of your nose hair freezing and getting choken on your breath, but experienced it on Thursday. The temperature was 2 degrees and I forget what the wind chill was, but it was COLD!!!

Everyone keeps telling me "this is nothing...wait until January / February". I kept thinking "stop talking to me about Jan / Feb" and"our family is never coming in the cold if I blog this", but I needed to share the love. I didn't take pictures this time, but don't worry...we are expecting snow again next week, so there will be pictures soon. I know the locals are thinking "this little black child needs some help" and they are right.

All in all, I survived and will survive because I have no other choice. I can say the snow is beautiful and I love looking at the snow on the mountains that surround our area. Montana is truly a lovely place, but you must prepare for the weather.