Saturday, October 10, 2009

Breaking news . . . Nulik home: less hospitable than a desert

While under no delusion of winning housekeeper of the year, I've always strived to make our home comfortable, inviting and uplifting.

Some recent events indicate that I may have failed.

Cacti are notoriously hardy plants. They survive extreme conditions, need very little attention or love, they exist in some of the most hostile climates on earth.

One such hardy cactus was no match for the Nulik household.

In fifth grade, I bought a cactus. I remember thinking that having a cactus in my new black and white bedroom was the ticket to coolness. I imagined that it would grow to my height in just a few short years and by the time I got that studio apartment in the city after high school (you know the one, with the red convertible parked out front) my cactus would be beyond cool, ultra hip and modern. I was thinking ahead. I didn't want a flower. I wanted a cactus.

Well the convertible and studio didn't quite pan out. And so clearly, without awesome studio in which to display the cactus, there seemed little reason to upset its perch atop the curio cabinet it had so long enjoyed. In fact, it had survived two moves and more than 17 years in the Donovan (later Leget) home. (And between you and me . . . it wasn't really as big as I had imagined it would be)

For whatever reason, my mother decided that this cactus would find Missouri to be a happy home. She couldn't have been more wrong.

A mere two weeks in Casa de Nulik renders it well . . . you can see for yourselves.P.S. Mom? I have a basket to give back to you.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Connect

I spent the morning yesterday at Algoa Correctional Center, a medium security facility with a capacity of 1,635 male inmates, sharing information about Connections to Success with offenders who are within 6 months of release. I sat in the parking lot for a moment wondering how I had come to this place where I was a vehicle for connecting ex-offenders with resources, opportunities and most importantly, hope. And statistically speaking, the result of these connections is incredible. What happens if they don't get connected? If they don't have the opportunity to become a part of more?

This morning I'm browsing kiva.org with Jordan and he picked out a family in Mexico who has asked for $450 to repair/replace their roof. Jordan was nearly overcome with the idea that they didn't really have a roof on their house and begged that we do something to help. The amazing thing is. . . with kiva.org - we can (you can too, see left sidebar). If you haven't explored this incredible movement/website, then you are missing out. Jeremy recently interviewed one of the founders who talks about how the vision for kiva is not about lending money - it is about connecting people.

There is more power in bringing people together than we know. I work to bring together people of faith and ex-offenders every day and it is sometimes easier than others, sometimes more productive than others, sometimes it feels like work and sometimes, well, sometimes it takes my breath away.

Who are you connected with? How is that connection empowering you both to move forward, be better, do more? Because in those connections, we are forever changed. In those connections, we see God.

I have no explanation for this


And while I have no explanation, I couldn't not share it. Here he is, in all his glory.