Twenty-Seven

Yes, he DID win the pot! Second place was his honey :D

Ocean's Eleven?

Casino Royale, baby!

Cupcake tower :)

I sure do love my friends... they get my humor, and I get theirs! :P

And the gag gifts keep on coming!

Glacier Brewhouse with some of my city gals for some DELICIOUS peanut butter pie!

Celebrating 27 years of life!

Money, money... yea!

"Life dealt us a good hand."

So, this is the second year that I have celebrated my birthday while in Chevak. For the other two years, I happened to be in the city for one reason or another. I am all about celebrating birthdays-- usually I even have a countdown (got it from my mama)! :P Since it is SO expensive for me to fly back out of the village to Anchorage, I have decided that I most likely won't be walking for my graduation. Instead, some family and friends are planning on celebrating with me in Vegas after the school year is over! This being the case, and the fact that I LOVE themed parties, I decided to have a casino-themed bday party for my 27th! It was SUCH a good time. Lots of laughter, despite the fact that I didn't win the poker game... darn Kings!

As I was thinking of this new year of life, I was thinking of all the life lessons that I have had thus far and how thankful I am for them. Some people have been in my life that have truly blessed me, others I believe were put there to be my sandpaper and help polish me up. Regardless, I really am thankful. I feel so fortunate that the good Lord has given me eyes of discernment, a heart of compassion, a desire to learn, and so many longings that I seek on a daily basis.

I am imperfect. I am not always approachable. I don't always understand why people can't see things the way I see them. I can be quick to speak. I could probably go on (and, maybe you could, too!)  ;) But, the awesome thing is that the great man upstairs has a plan for me and always has. The older I get, the more I learn to take time to reflect, to absorb, to seek a deeper answer, and to find out how I can be a better me today than I was yesterday. This alone is a true gift... I couldn't ask for much more.

Today, I am so glad for where I am. Even more so, I am super grateful for the people in my life who have cheered me on to get where I am today, and who encourage me to keep going after my heart's desires. I am one blessed young lady. Thank you for being a part of my life-- if you are reading this, I thank you! Here's to year #27!

Deep Creek Clam Digging

Mt. Redoubt... the peninsula is SOOO picturesque!

We saw the sun go down, the moon come up, and the sun rise again :)

Part of the crew... fun company leads to fun times!

That would be a really tall man exiting a tent via a really small doggy door!

The train begins

Camp

The home of Rapunzel :) I sure love lighthouses!

Woohoo! Another camping trip was had! This time we went to Deep Creek, another spot on the Peninsula. Though the drive can seem long, it is full of SUCH beauty. If you are lucky you will see some wildlife along the way... if you are not so lucky, you might hit some construction. Regardless, it is a beautiful drive and if you love nature... this is the place to be at least once over your Alaskan summer! I am at my absolute happiest when in nature. My greatest recommendation-- be with people you enjoy. A friend of mine posted a quote today, "Surround yourself with love and support." Amen! That has been a philosophy that I have been embracing in recent times. Be around people who are willing to walk the walk with you-- who are willing to see you through your journey. People who make you laugh, sometimes make you cry healing tears, and most importantly, love you despite your imperfections. When we do things we enjoy with people we enjoy, the heart is filled with happiness. Thanks for a pretty awesome camping trip, friends! PS I didn't catch a single clam! :P

After camping, one of the girls wrote a note entitled "What I Learned While Camping This Weekend" ... here are a few that I really enjoyed:

In no particular order, other than which the come to mind, these are a few things I learned while camping this weekend:
1. You can go more than five years without seeing a good friend & then when you do, all it takes is an excited hug to catch up for those years!
4. It is perfectly normal for women to sit around a campfire and cry about moments they've had, shared or lived through & within 10 minutes be making each other laugh so hard you choke, pee your pants or shoot a beverage out your nose. (this is how we bond)
5. Some things burn way more than others when they come out of your nose.
7. No matter what girls can gross out the boys. We just save it for the right time.
8. Campfire is the best smell ever, even when you have to use  A LOT of lighter fluid and a whole box of matches to get it going!
11. You ladies all owe me a trip to Lowes paint department, we have some paint mixing to do....."soft pink, spring coral or melon mauve?"
12. A lot of people can fit on a three wheeler!
13. Meeting new people is so much more fun when you haven't showered and are covered in mud!!!
14. If there is a friend that has made a difference in your life, tell her, let her know she inspires you.
15. Drop it like it's hot!
16. You can get sunburned in the rain.
17. Tents turn into tumble weeds when not staked down!

This Too Shall Pass

Life is full of learning experiences. Every day we are blessed to live and every day we choose to live, we encounter the good, the bad, and the ugly... no matter who we are or where we come from. At any given moment should someone ask me to list the blessings in my life, I could do it without hesitation. I am very thankful for so, so much.

There are also trials, tribulations, and tests that I encounter. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and wonder how we got into them. Sometimes there are people in our lives and we can't help but wonder how they got there and what purpose they serve. This is something that I have struggled with lately. I do believe people are in our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime... but sometimes it is really difficult to understand the valued purpose of some people's placement... we can't always see. But, I still can't help but believe, there is a purpose.

I am a firm believer in investing in relationships. People have so much to offer one another-- different perspectives, advice, knowledge, experiences, love, friendship, etc. I love hearing people's stories... I don't tend to only know people by their name. I want to know where they are from, what makes them who they are today. And, in return, I tend to share my story with others.

I have had quite a journey in my young little life. The thing is sometimes when we share our stories, we risk the fact that the other person won't treat it with care. They don't understand the significance of knowing somebody's story... the responsibility of holding another's heart in their hands. I have a hard time with this. Relationships take a lot of trust, in any dynamic, and when this trust is broken... it can take some time to heal. So, be careful with your story... your heart. It is yours to take care of and yours to value.

Speaking of healing, many of you know I just had a minor surgery performed. Things went well and I am recovering nicely. Mild endometriosis was the diagnosis. Thankful for a doc that is helping me take care of my body, and so very thankful for all the friends and family supporting me along the way. You guys are blessings!

I made it back to VAK and it feels soooo good to be home. There is nothing like sitting in the Bethel airport and hearing, "MISS NELSON!!!" :) Love my kiddos.

Be well and thanks for keeping up with me!

Thanksgiving 2010... much to be thankful for!

For some reason, teaching the history of Thanksgiving to my students this year was a much more meaningful and beautiful lesson than has been in the past. It is so crucial that we educate our students based on as much fact as possible. This holiday has always been one of my favorites in that it is generally a time to be with loved ones and show thanks for the many blessings we have in this life... breath alone.

This year I am specifically thankful for deepened relationships, the love of my family, my schooling, being in a profession that I absolutely love, and having His favor in life. I truly believe that I have a purpose and destiny each and every day and I love those moments when you can see all the beautiful steps that God has led you on... high and low, backwards, forwards, turns, through valleys, up mountains, etc. Our life experiences make us who

we are and awaken us to beautiful new learnings. I couldn't be more thankful for the life I have, even when it has its tough moments.

As we get older we also learn more and more about forgiveness and restoration. Recently, I learned that my ex and his girlfriend became engaged and are having a baby. And, from the bottom of my heart, I actually can say that I am really happy for him. What a joy to have that. To love and be loved, these are life's greatest joys. And, having a baby? Wow, Lord knows I feel that is one of the greatest gifts one can bear-- truly amazing. I can't say that I wasn't at first shocked... I had to digest the information... but, after that... I can say that I am genuinely happy for the ex. And, that is a good feeling. I have heard that his fiancee has written some unkind things about me in a public manner. Though I have never met her, I have forgiven her and wish them both well. There is much to be thankful for in this great, big, beautiful world. I have to say, thought it's not always so easy, forgiveness is a beautiful thing.

As I think of all that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, I will keep singing, keep dancing, keep dreaming, and keep rising to the challenges that bring us to our greatest strengths. I am looking forward to a long, restful, quiet holiday weekend in the VAK. Turkey, potatoes, fresh fruits and veggies, sweet yams... and good company. Missing my family is always something I am good at doing this time of year, but it makes me more thankful for them. Besides, Christmas break is just a few weeks away! ;) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone and enjoy the pics!

Gobble, gobble!

Misty