Today, I want to tell you about our homeowner, Lisa. She is a single mom of two daughters, a teenager and an infant, who light the room with her smile. She worked as a nurse until just before her baby, now over a year old, was born. Her employer terminated her wrongfully.

Since then she's helped a friend in a home daycare, and that's been something to get by in this economy, but it's obvious from the spark in Lisa's eyes, the real warmth that emanates from her that she was made for something more -- it's just the series of events in her life have caused her discouragement right now. With her nursing certification, she does aspire to more than the work before her, but she feels an obligation to her employer.

Only recently, her friends have pointed out that the daycare can find a replacement but there may well be people who need a nurse like Lisa to give them hope and comfort. She's getting her mojo back and looking for a job that fits her capabilities and will provide steady income for her little family.

Helping find a job is not the Fuller Center's mission, but every bit of hope and stability helps for all the families living in inadequate housing.

Lisa and her daughters are staying in a nice house now, but it belongs to a church, and we all knew it wasn't forever. Plus, of course, Lisa has a house -- it's just gutted now. She was resourceful enough to contact us at the Fuller Center -- Iowa Lakes even before we had our board and we immediately said, "Yes, we'll help you."

We knew the current home was not forever, but had not imagined as we scheduled our big fundraiser for May 8 and gradually but steadily gathered materials and funds that her move-out date would move up to June 1.

Yes, that's June 1, 2009. It's more imperative than ever that we receive needed funds and materials to complete Lisa's Jensen's house as soon as possible. We need volunteers now more than ever. By now, I mean now. We will have major build days May 16, 23 and 30 at a minimum with our board members and core volunteers working with Lisa and her friends and family on other days, too.

Even in her discouragement, though, she believes God has something bigger for her, that her tears will be transformed to joy, her mourning to dancing, her mess to a miracle.

Help us finish this simple home for an amazing family, and feel your heart grow at least two sizes.