Rebuilding the Organization so we can rebuild homes.

It's the most challenging time in the short life of the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes.

We've lost volunteers to relocation and financial struggles.

We've lost board members to health problems and the press of other obligations. This pressure has led to some cracks in our once wonderful communication.

Lisa, the homeowner, and her girls, are still stuck in LeMars, Iowa, paying rent while keeping up on the house payments for the Terril house.

We did some marvelous work in 2009, raised money and got the word out.

2010 was a year of loss -- of board members and volunteers, of time and energy, of everything but hope and faith.

2011 we have to get it back. Alix started high school in LeMars. Mary is two now and building memories in her rented home where, essentially, the family is displaced.

So much of the heavy work is done. We've had amazing in-kind donations of materials. We even have a little money in the bank.

Can we all come together? What we need is a winter of healing and planning and a spring and summer of action so the Jensens can finally come home.

I've had some questions about whether this is just "giving away a house." It is not. First of all, Lisa Jensen already owns the home. Second of all, she will pay us back, over time, in affordable, interest-free payments, for the materials. Third, she will volunteer on a future project.

Our organization is sustainable. It's needed. What we need now is you. Can we heal together from the past year and have 2011 be a year of renewal, of joy, of a celebration when the Jensens move back in?