One Wild and Precious Life

 A few weeks ago, I wrote about the hero's journey and how I felt like I was in the abyss.  I am definitely still feeling like I am in the abyss.  The last couple of weeks have brought some deep challenges at school that will certainly impact what my service looks like.  I'm not trying to be cryptic, but as I've mentioned before, there are things that aren't appropriate to share here.  Suffice it to say that if I was doubting I was in the abyss before that doubt no longer exists.  But ever onward... We had a group of volunteers come to the school to redo our library (more on that later, with photos).  Many of them were college students doing an alternate spring break experience--and chatting with them really drove home for me how much I miss my PLU students.  💓  In addition to working in the library, they also came to classes and did a fun STEM activity where the students worked in groups to try to build the tallest tower using only spaghetti and marshmallows.  It was

 I am definitely in a period of redefining .  What does "success" look like here?  What are reasonable expectations to have for myself and my service?  How do I best care for myself while serving my community?   The past couple of weeks have been intense at school as we've been finishing up what's called the "school based assessment" portion of the standardized test that grade 2 completes this year.  It's a writing portfolio composed of a book report and a narrative writing piece.  It has also been one of those times where I am participating in something that goes against everything I know and believe about teaching and learning.  But my purpose is not to change or overhaul the school system here so I find myself trying to figure out ways to infuse a little learning and care into the situation.  Trying to do the best with what I have, where I am.  One part that was enjoyable is that the students get to draw cover pages for their books.  I snapped these