Here's to a Great 2008!

Christmas 2007 has approached. I recently filled out one of those year in reflection surveys and felt so blessed that I could write about such positive experiences from this year. I had the pleasure of traveling to Vegas for some me time, Portland/Vancouver to nanny, Seattle for the first Seahawks game, Chevak to teach, and Cozumel for my sister's wedding. I cannot wait for next year's travel: Europe with Branwen for our graduation presents, Vegas with my family, and hopefully Aspen for Christmas!

This fall I began my internship student teaching. I have been fortunate to have an awesome mentor teacher and great class! I (being one of ten people) received a scholarship that is paying for my entire internship year! I also was accepted to travel to Chevak on a scholarship and then Jenessa and I made a news appearance.

In July I bought a new car and my nephew was born! He is just so completely wonderful- I love being an auntie! Lisa and Andrew came to meet him in August and we had her Anchorage bachelorette party... too fun!

November came and the entire family flew to Mexico to be a part of the Nelson-Sherwood wedding. It was the most simple, yet elegant wedding I have ever been to. All of Lisa's friends were just so nice and we had a great time. My sisters and I met family from my mom's side for the first time which was fantastic. It was a week of cherished memories.

Now the year is closing up and I think about how excited I am for this new year! I truly believe it will be filled with meeting amazing, good new people. And I have three really important resolutions for this new year. I have heard that you should tell people what they are so they can hold you accountable, but the closest to me do know what they are. I am very excited to meet these goals/challenges... in fact, a couple of them I have already begun with the help of special people and moments in my life recently.

New Year's is always a bit tough due to it being the anniversary of my father's death (01/01/05), but I know that each year gets better and better and our family gets stronger and stronger. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
Here's to a great 2008!!
Misty Dawn Nelson

Chevak, Alaska

So, here I am. I arrived in Chevak, Alaska a few days ago and will be here for a total of 12 days. It is flat here; tundra. We landed in a small plane and there were four-wheelers waiting to pick people up at the "airport". I got to ride in one of the three vehicles in town. The school is beautiful. I have been able to visit almost all of the elementary classrooms so far. The teachers are very welcome to having me in their classroom. I applied for this exchange program for a couple of reasons: 1) If I am going to teach in Alaska, I will have Native students in my class and many of them will have come from or have family in the villages and I want to better understand them and meet their needs, 2) My Dad was from southeast AK.. he was Haida Indian. I am only 1/8, but my dad always called me his blue-eyed, blonde-haired Native. He passed away a couple of years ago, but I was a daddy's girl.. I know that he would be so proud of me and think that it is so cool that I am here, 3) There are moments when I think I would like to teach in a village.

Now that I have been here and am living life in a village, I grow fonder of the idea of teaching here in Chevak every day. I know some would say it is crazy, and I agree it isn't for everyone, but I am loving it. It is a different world in many ways. Way less chaotic, less stressful. A different life. I have had dreams of teaching abroad, but perhaps I will start here...or maybe when I am older teach here... it has definitely captured my interestOn My Travels,

Misty Dawn Nelson

"The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches."

"The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches."

Welcome to the World Scott Henry!

On July 24th, 2007, my family welcomed my first nephew (and my mom's first grand-baby). He is absolutely handsome! Well, beautiful. He weighed a whopping 9lbs 11.8oz! My oldest sister and I have decided we will adopt... Tina can take the award for most pain and endurance! They named him Scott Henry. Scott is my brother-in-law's name and his father's, and Henry was my Dad's middle name. As I look at this precious little boy I think about how much love, hope, and dreams we already have for him.. and I also think of my dad and how proud and elated he would have been to meet this new little addition. I look at "Henry" and I want to read to him and to sing to him. One particular song comes to mind... "How can I show you that I love you? Words can't express just how I feel. I love you because you first loved me, your love has set me free. I can love because you first loved me." Somehow for me, having Scott Henry born is such a gift to me and in ways helps me feel that my dad is still close by. Needless to say, I am a PROUD AUNTIE and cannot wait to watch him grow and to be a part of it all. Thanks Tina and Scott! Welcome to the world Henry! Love, Auntie Misty