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Howdy

Oops. I guess I'm not the best at this blogging thing considering it has been almost two months since my last update. But thanks to the friendly reminder from Risa Perkins I realized it was time for a new entry. My deepest apologies to those who actually read this thing. Anyway, there is snow everywhere here....I have to walk through blizzards every day...and as I walk through the fields to class I usually pass by a few cows. yep its everything I ever imagined it to be. Just kidding, but that's for all my fellow Texans who believe in that incredibly false image of Montana, well there might be a tad bit of truth in it: ) So where to start, there is just so much to tell. Well as of lately I have been building a purple schwinn bike from the 60's. Why you may ask? A few months back I had to do a project on sustainability, so I decided to research the local nonprofit group Free Cycles. They provide free cycles to anyone as long as you take their class and fulfill their volunteer requirements. So I've been spending numerous hours there every night for the past few weeks. Its been an enlightening experience to say the least....but I've had the privileged of meeting some really cool people, who thank goodness aren't associated with campus. Though I love UM its also really great to get off of campus and get involved within the community. I've also become a huge fan of the GoodFood Store ( Missoula's equivalent to Central Market..except not nearly as great as CM) I'm now regularly attending a really great Church in Missoula so thats been a huge answer to prayer. Each Sunday I ride out with a guy in my hall to Missoula Alliance Church where we go to first service, then college group and after that a family from the church has us over for brunch and serves us a home cooked meal for us. Its absolutely amazing!! Today we had eggs (real eggs too, a real treat), bacon, sausage, muffins, and tasty homemade jam! yummm. I now realize that my mother completely spoiled me when it comes to food. People here know me as the huge food snob..which surprisingly I'm ok with. I cant help it that I had a wonderful mom who made absolutely amazing food on a daily basis. I've eaten a bowl of cheerios every morning since I've been here...tear, tear. I miss you Mom. My roommate and I have decided to live together next year...and were even going to keep the same room..though according to room 454's past residents, the room is haunted.hmmmm. All in all though Montana has been amazing. There are definitely days when I wished I had stayed in Texas and gone to school with people similar to me. But being here in this incredibly different environment from home has been such a learning experience. Even the people are different from what I'm used to. Not to mention the out of state student population here is surprisingly high. I have friends from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Idaho, South Dakota, Texas: ), Tennessee, and numerous other states. So its been really cool to meet all these people because we've all grown up in different settings so there's a lot to learn from each other. Nevertheless, I'm pretty dang excited to go home in five weeks! I miss my family, my dog, my house (which is now finished..cant wait to see it) and BridgePoint so much. Not to mention I can't wait to see Joy, Lauren, Sarah, Emily, Taylor, Katie M, Christie, Rachael, Katie H, Kayla and Jessica...I miss those girls like crazy. I always knew we were blessed to have each other...but wow I never knew how blessed. Oh and thanks to all those who have sent me mail...getting mail is like getting a Christmas present...its just wonderful. Well I think I've written enough to last a lifetime...I hope this post finds everyone doing well.

In Him,
Melissa