tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44159112175172888032024-02-07T03:40:15.661-08:00Fuller Center Iowa LakesFuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-52305904625584580262011-01-07T08:45:00.000-08:002011-01-07T08:54:06.932-08:00Rebuilding 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.<br /><br />We've lost volunteers to relocation and financial struggles.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />We did some marvelous work in 2009, raised money and got the word out.<br /><br />2010 was a year of loss -- of board members and volunteers, of time and energy, of everything but hope and faith.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/88xHIwd4CWM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/88xHIwd4CWM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-56390345866378778482010-06-07T17:15:00.000-07:002010-06-07T17:32:47.793-07:00Help Bring the Jensens Home!First there was the long winter where the roads to Terril, Iowa were nearly impassable. Then there were the Spring rains that made it muddy. Our homeowner partner, Lisa is in Le Mars with her daughter. Le Mars is down the road 98.7 miles from Terril. That's where the Jensens have been living when there was no affordable temporary housing available here in the Lakes area. Alex spent eighth grade at a new school. Lisa changed her entire plan for schooling and work. Their dog passed away.<br /><br />We had a board member with cancer. Another is about to become a father for the sixth time. Some have had to take additional jobs or jobs out of town to make ends meet in this economy. One of our leaders has been living with a sustained illness that has caused overarching fatigue and sapped all energy. <br /><br />It's been a tough year.<br /><br />Alex is going into high school in the fall. She's been so helpful, so patient, and she made the most of her year as a Le Mars Bulldog by earning the most reading points in her school, and has a giant trophy to prove it. She needs her own room in her own house to display that trophy. She needs to bring her academic and athletic abilities home to Terril-Graettinger High School and make the transition to freshman year with her friends. <br /><br />Mary turned two and is identifying Tyrannosaurus dinosaurs in pictures and displays. She loves books and is running around like a whirling dervish. She needs the security of being in her own home in her own town as she grows.<br /><br />Lisa is anxious to put her talent for nursing and heart for the elderly to work here at home, and many assisted living and other facilities are hiring, waiting for someone like her to monitor the medical conditions and brighten the days of our elders.<br /><br />This family needs to come home. We made a huge amount of progress on the house -- a near total remodel. It just is not quite enough to bring Lisa and her daughters home.<br /><br />We're committed once again to being at the site each Saturday this summer. Ed Peterson is also committed to being there other times if we have a weekday crew that wants to come out. <br /><br />We're regrouping, recovering, but we must move forward. The Fuller Center for Housing makes homes decent and livable for homeowners in need. We give a hand up, not a hand-out. <br /><br />We need volunteers. If you're in Okoboji on the weekends, please consider coming out for part of a Saturday to swing a hammer. Or you could bring us lunch to the site. Or you could write a check for materials and other needs. <br /><br />If ever there was a family that needed to come home, it's this one.<br /><br />Bring them home.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lnGb2OjvT9g&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lnGb2OjvT9g&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-86993642619768210582010-02-26T17:08:00.000-08:002010-02-26T17:21:41.866-08:00New Challenges; New HopeIt snowed and it snowed and it snowed.<br /><br />Word from the tropics was tragic news when the earthquake hit Haiti January 12. As a housing ministry, the Fuller Center's global organization is getting ready to bring sturdy, affordable houses to Haitians who may never have had that before, and certainly need it now more than ever. <br /><br />You can read more about efforts in Haiti here:<br /><br />http://www.fullercenter.org/haiti<br /><br />We hoped to send our executive director, Ed, and more team members to Haiti in March, but severe snowstorms have halted our efforts in our big project house in Terril, and for now, we need to dig out and get going again out there when it's passable and not too muddy.<br /><br />The good news is, it's mostly inside work from here on out. And as the walls and floors come together on the inside, and the addition takes shape, the Jensen family will have a home to weather all the storms that may come in the future, and all the sunny days ahead, too.<br /><br />Older daughter Alex will be in high school in the fall. Mary is starting to talk, her impish smile warming worried hearts surrounding her.<br /><br />Lisa, the mom, looks forward to getting back to her community and to working with the elderly in assisted living and long term care homes. That's where her heart is, and she's great at it. Their series of temporary houses have worn on them, and we plan to work through the upcoming spring to get them into their house and enjoying their back porch by summer.<br /><br />Can you help? Read about our beginnings and donate through the Fuller Center global organization here:<br /><br />http://www.fullercenter.org/iowalakes<br /><br />Contact Ed at 712-441-5437, email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com, or write us at P.O. Box 27, Fostoria, IA 51340.<br /><br />Watch this video to learn more about the Fuller Center for Housing:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bvPyvpkKwrk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bvPyvpkKwrk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-37189569664034419282009-10-02T10:25:00.000-07:002009-10-02T12:17:08.273-07:00October 17! It's a Party! Be there!Here's the deal: we received a generous grant from Lakes Area Land Trust to do the kitchen at our project house in Terril! Yay! Rock on! The challenge: if we don't complete the project by November 30, the money goes away. You wouldn't think that would be such a big deal, but we work one day a week, Saturday, and sometimes it is just the homeowner, Ed and me at the project site.<br /><br />We need to get it together.<br /><br />I thought my volunteer recruitment efforts were fruitless until today when I received not one, but two amazing emails!<br /><br />1) The Spencer Women of Today are coming out to volunteer for us.<br />2) A new volunteer has come up with a fantastic promotion idea -- Tag, You're It -- to recruit more volunteer teams.<br /><br />Tag, You're It is still in developmental stages, but basically we will promote it through the media and different industries around town, starting with Rhonda as a health care professional, will recruit teams from their employer or industry. Health care might tag auto sales, auto sales might tag restaurants, restaurants might tag...cough...law firms...until we have a whole community coming to their neighbor's aid.<br /><br />That's what the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes is all about. Volunteer labor, donated or at-cost supplies, more livable housing and better neighborhoods throughout the Iowa Lakes.<br /><br />Are you ready to be tagged? You're it.<br /><br />Step up -- show us what we're looking for!<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WkwVTK10cwQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WkwVTK10cwQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-38617197157577023472009-09-21T12:06:00.000-07:002009-09-21T12:08:42.559-07:00A year...I just realized it's been a year since I started this blog. We had such hope and uncertainty a year ago. We have some now, but we're believing, hoping, enduring, celebrating, and most of all...doing!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0x-hBqYpEYY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0x-hBqYpEYY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-17550888614651893462009-09-21T12:01:00.000-07:002009-09-21T12:03:45.769-07:00Another Grant!FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING IOWA LAKES RECEIVES GRANT FROM LAKES COMMUNITY LAND TRUST<br /> <br />FOSTORIA -- The Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) -- Iowa Lakes was awarded a grant from the Lakes Community Land Trust to complete the kitchen at the project house in Terril, Iowa. FCH -- Iowa Lakes is the local covenant partner of The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.<br /> <br />The grant from Lakes Community Land Trust will allow FCH to complete the necessary wiring and plumbing work for the Terril house's kitchen, as well as install cabinets, purchase appliances, and and install flooring. The work will be completed by local volunteers working side by side with Lisa Jensen, the homeowner. "The Fuller Center for Housing was founded by the same family and on the same principles as Habitat for Humanity," Ed Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes Executive Director, said. "We don't give hand outs but rather a hand up to homeowners in need of repairs and remodels to make their homes livable."<br /> <br />FCH is also committed to working renewably and economically -- repurposing used or leftover materials when possible. The kitchen sink, refrigerator, lighting and cabinets have all been purchased from the ReNew store, a reclaimed building materials store in Spirit Lake. <br /> <br />"Donating to the Fuller Center for Housing is a wise choice for anyone's charitable funds," Amy Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes board secretary said. "We always work with low overhead and make the best use out of each dollar donated. We do all we can to treat our donors well and they can be confident that their donations are going toward mission, not miscellany."<br /> <br />The project house in Terril, Iowa began early in 2009 as a near-total remodel. Lisa Jensen, the homeowner, is a single mother of two daughters who had no one to help her repair and renovate her house. With donations from individuals and grant funds from two local organizations, the project has made substantial progress over the summer. However, more donations and volunteer hours are needed during the Fall to bring the project to completion.<br /> <br />"We've been very blessed and are very grateful for the support we have received from the community," Amy Peterson said. "We have hope we will continue to grow and develop in the year ahead."<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dkoit14cDKo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dkoit14cDKo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-16913240655659323782009-08-31T09:02:00.000-07:002009-09-08T14:12:44.597-07:00We have a grant! Yay!Fuller Center Iowa Lakes -- we have had the love of the global organization, our friends and family, and God (not necessarily in that order.) Now we have the love of the greater community as well. FCH-Iowa Lakes received a grant from the Dickinson County Endowment! Praise! Thanks! Wow! Yay! Now that we're legit, isn't it time you came out to volunteer?<br /><br />Life is Good!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dIs6qsoPf2o&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dIs6qsoPf2o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-38665561186841795192009-08-13T14:55:00.000-07:002009-08-13T14:58:56.503-07:00You are cordially invited to an upscale luncheon...This Saturday at 205 S 4th Street in Terril, Iowa (south end of town near the grain elevators) we will be having a very special luncheon around noon. Festivities start at 8 a.m. - ish with the exquisite sounds of hammers, saws, and possibly a house jack. If you've never seen a house lifted with a jack, this will be a must-see event. <br /> <br />By then we will have worked up an appetite, so we will have lunch brought in by noted, hip, local caterer (and Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Vice President) T.Bruns. <br /> <br />After lunch, we will do a few more things with tools and building materials until 4 or 5 p.m. Mode is Open House, so if you can only make it for an hour or two, please do come and be our guest. Bring a date, bring a spouse, bring a family, bring a posse. Water and soft beverages will be served throughout the day.<br /> <br />The entire event is to make progress on a beautiful family home for a wonderful family and a great cause -- the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes. Dress is extreme/work casual for this highly anticipated event. <br /> <br /><br />All joking aside, I know the economy is tough, the outlook is rough, but in this day and age we can't depend on ourselves to get through. Interdependence, as far as I can see, is the only way we will survive these challenging times. God tells us to take care of one another.<br /><br />Now more than ever, we need everyone, we need your help, and we need each other.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tPm1sk-utjQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tPm1sk-utjQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-30547047974182958922009-08-06T13:05:00.000-07:002009-08-06T13:11:13.673-07:00Free Ice Water!FREE ICE WATER! That's right. Sodas and other goodies, plus an amazing lunch awaits you in Terril on Saturday. It's going to be a hot one so we will try to start at 7 and we'll go as long as it makes sense. Free food and drink, helping a neighbor in need, is the beach and boat really more fun than that? No! Volunteer for Fuller Center Iowa Lakes.Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-70527784652267743972009-07-17T13:10:00.000-07:002009-07-17T13:25:04.809-07:00Tenacity is no substitute for turnout<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRTQ2x2ggoHAPRWMjOy6DnAvD0VU7AbBvGs3TFRIaOLD32wHlPAxxZEtoxUdJ8AnFCGGA-Qv0V_FshFg2eY2KUTRsGioepBob5KsT7H-65vDj6Zatj8200P8_ElcVfsUtyUzF1u7OfEzf/s1600-h/ed.on.ladder.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRTQ2x2ggoHAPRWMjOy6DnAvD0VU7AbBvGs3TFRIaOLD32wHlPAxxZEtoxUdJ8AnFCGGA-Qv0V_FshFg2eY2KUTRsGioepBob5KsT7H-65vDj6Zatj8200P8_ElcVfsUtyUzF1u7OfEzf/s400/ed.on.ladder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359527712739178162" /></a><br />Every Saturday this summer, except for Independence Day, we've been there -- the Jensens, the Petersons, project director Nick Poolman and friends, and occasionally a few others. We've wrapped the house. We've framed the two-story addition. We're replacing the siding and getting ready to finish it off. We've moved the stairs. We've finished the demolition. <br /><br />Alex (the homeowner's daughter) and Caitlyn, rising eighth graders, Dylon, a rising junior and Bryan, a rising first grader, have all given up nearly every Saturday this summer to babysit Mary and any other young children who come around, fish out tools and supplies, and generally help out. Two other board members' children have given up a Saturday or two in physical labor to help someone else -- not through punishment for wrongdoing, but more or less voluntarily in the spirit of giving. <br /><br />Wonderful as these kids are, we need more adults to step up. If you can't swing a hammer, we would be delighted to delegate the lunch catering to a willing helper. As it is now, we all leave to get provisions when we get hungry -- with drive time, ordering, etc., it's an hour of daytime that could be better spent on work.<br /><br />Could you and your civic or church group get a tasty, at least somewhat nutritious lunch together for the workers? <br /><br />As recompense we spend Sundays at the lake. Still, it's a lot to ask of kids that age. It's one thing that Ed and the other adults on our board have answered the call to serve. It's quite another to ask it of the kids.<br /><br />Earl, the master plumber, is planning the pipes. Lane, the electrician, has looked at the wiring. Lisa, the homeowner, has bought some supplies and the Fuller Center for Housing has bought others at our partner store Lake Park Farm and Home. <br /><br />It's coming together, but slowly. There's only so much a small group can do.<br /><br />We'll be out there every Saturday until it's done no matter what.<br /><br />We need you to join us: swing a hammer, bring us lunch, call and recruit more workers, get the word out at your church, write a check -- whatever you can do, please consider doing it for us. <br /><br />We took a huge leap of faith, taking on a project this big when we weren't yet started. Slowly (very slowly!) but surely, it's coming together.<br /><br />We're missing a piece. Is it you? See you Saturday at 405 S. 4th Street in Terril -- south end of town near the elevator.<br /><br />The video today is from Carolina Liar -- "Show Me What I'm Looking For"<br /><br />Save me, I'm lost<br />Oh lord, I've been waiting for you<br />I'll pay any cost<br />Just save me from being confused<br />Wait, I'm wrong<br />I can't do better than this<br />I'll pay any cost<br />Save me from being confused<br />Show me what I'm looking for<br />Show me what I'm looking for<br />Show me what I'm looking for<br />Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WkwVTK10cwQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WkwVTK10cwQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-71240850573577728392009-05-25T09:24:00.000-07:002009-05-25T09:31:41.557-07:00A New Door, A New Wall -- The Promise of a New Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeGFsJWsFr-VLM5tudv-99WX61OPNzZ3xv6elb4pYqS3N8YuMMp9RLd7lNvaHHouRz1fzkpeVNSoll3xmDMSpxefjy948elJGzM0y5QxoySGyKcutdFUyAl-F9DSlthxsuptsodWpHAra/s1600-h/PICT0124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeGFsJWsFr-VLM5tudv-99WX61OPNzZ3xv6elb4pYqS3N8YuMMp9RLd7lNvaHHouRz1fzkpeVNSoll3xmDMSpxefjy948elJGzM0y5QxoySGyKcutdFUyAl-F9DSlthxsuptsodWpHAra/s320/PICT0124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339799026414654034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXitOZuh-sANoEfFTfu0BSfwuKJBoFd_aMMA_BVqKmOEh0wGh07XDsIQo7vKvIwMav_XMUkoe6At0FOVKKXxGJzLWnvIx17ln4r33rGO6tr1ReSLokWYg4B-bafHDQRK384KThxozuWhhX/s1600-h/PICT0126.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXitOZuh-sANoEfFTfu0BSfwuKJBoFd_aMMA_BVqKmOEh0wGh07XDsIQo7vKvIwMav_XMUkoe6At0FOVKKXxGJzLWnvIx17ln4r33rGO6tr1ReSLokWYg4B-bafHDQRK384KThxozuWhhX/s320/PICT0126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339799022767472898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqd2PDQLxCIc0ZWAuWkB9k0XrOZjLZjS6uEHlZFXspcB7SuI6uWH7C0FKozT7V-bLHd5Aru0aYovT7Jmc6Yg0cBZkuhkEpJbs-d5lF5fmkHUkpyQIm_SeEuzS2lPsEEd_ceKXOdBZjozf/s1600-h/PICT0105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqd2PDQLxCIc0ZWAuWkB9k0XrOZjLZjS6uEHlZFXspcB7SuI6uWH7C0FKozT7V-bLHd5Aru0aYovT7Jmc6Yg0cBZkuhkEpJbs-d5lF5fmkHUkpyQIm_SeEuzS2lPsEEd_ceKXOdBZjozf/s320/PICT0105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339799018001468802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL64v3-U03-8zVusl7avokcHoMbOiYhRnqn3FaeMqeLxqnV9B1RWWnhGR2hyz466Xm2BYew5ew66KlJa9SeL0pWBTCN4fgNR4KuLkW26Fl8cL3Wm_eoWA3BQn2jn0N-WJkAhTERCtM3YL/s1600-h/PICT0078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL64v3-U03-8zVusl7avokcHoMbOiYhRnqn3FaeMqeLxqnV9B1RWWnhGR2hyz466Xm2BYew5ew66KlJa9SeL0pWBTCN4fgNR4KuLkW26Fl8cL3Wm_eoWA3BQn2jn0N-WJkAhTERCtM3YL/s320/PICT0078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339799015927071074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNuzD1CxV-16945s-R-WUnlclEfKYadEVdf32rXDc3x-CAi7WE_YUnSs4qQKnXObbOBVwq-UF0O6jnXYw8C8X7r9BuYgux7j3cuOcSq2NKRZ04HmYTYv3bqKw5jFvclsLOAXwsHcogMcy/s1600-h/PICT0064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNuzD1CxV-16945s-R-WUnlclEfKYadEVdf32rXDc3x-CAi7WE_YUnSs4qQKnXObbOBVwq-UF0O6jnXYw8C8X7r9BuYgux7j3cuOcSq2NKRZ04HmYTYv3bqKw5jFvclsLOAXwsHcogMcy/s320/PICT0064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339799010244281682" /></a><br /><br /><br />We worked all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. We can always use more volunteers. We're off today, Memorial Day, to spend time with our families and honor all who sacrificed for us. We'll be at the project house in Terril Saturday morning.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGkEE5dwmdY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGkEE5dwmdY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-48420775146334867092009-05-16T12:42:00.000-07:002009-05-16T12:43:48.684-07:00What the Fuller Center Iowa Lakes Needs Right Now* Churches, organizations and individuals to sponsor repair projects<br /> * Skilled construction workers and contractors to donate their services<br /> * Volunteer labor (skilled and unskilled)<br /> * Building material donations<br /><br />Through The Greater Blessing Program, homeowners can apply to a Fuller Center covenant partner to have their homes restored to a simple, decent living condition. We help them by acting on our faith, because we know Christ loves these people and calls us to serve them. We are able to keep costs low by using volunteer labor and some donated materials, thereby passing on big savings to beneficiaries.<br /><br />Once repairs are complete, The Fuller Center works with each homeowner on an individual basis, looking at their bills and budget to help them structure an affordable repayment plan. All of this is done without charging interest, without the use of a mortgage and without requiring the title to the property as collateral.Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-91560850796908166062009-05-08T21:40:00.000-07:002009-05-08T21:43:00.013-07:00A Great Party for a Blessed FewA fabulous dinner was missed by hordes. Alan Morphew played beautiful music; the room was filled with life and light; the rain beat down in staccato sheets outdoors; Tom created delightful dining; it was a great party too many had to miss; we missed the mark of our ambition but I trust have set the stage for future triumphs. I'm terribly disappointed in the failure but believing and hopeful for our next efforts.<br /><br />It is late. I am in immense emotional pain over this but still believing that in this mess, we're just a few of the pieces and He will put them together brick by brick, board by board, nail by nail and inch by inch.Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-57909330001893249202009-05-05T04:29:00.000-07:002009-05-05T05:19:29.943-07:00Work has Begun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF19bC0Liy_OvSRWOGN2D_SBa1GGAEWndNaVQKnK5yngZ6Y8EZU3lUq4q7XcENHne4TXt0Lizsbz-Xxc6MoP_XoHMy2RS9k6HbOKUV0dibh54rEt51fONatXlxHljmOtBf8O86jRbyWRT/s1600-h/Family+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF19bC0Liy_OvSRWOGN2D_SBa1GGAEWndNaVQKnK5yngZ6Y8EZU3lUq4q7XcENHne4TXt0Lizsbz-Xxc6MoP_XoHMy2RS9k6HbOKUV0dibh54rEt51fONatXlxHljmOtBf8O86jRbyWRT/s320/Family+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332313228357451794" /></a><br /><br /><br />Work began Saturday, May 2 at the project house in Terril. Four board members and two board members' children tore out the plaster in the upstairs bedrooms to make way for a reconfiguration and sturdy new walls.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMdKv_b550AKqLo0TbR-8MMwwYQp45HDk8Ze99EFFzw0EW4LqPogK_yvB3JgaeEJrRqyEbGpGHA3ks3vjhj_7EJvDjzSD4CsxPUkcW70t9XI5pA3aewkY6WLDQY0HBY7gfK_JieBCY8Lq/s1600-h/family+working.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMdKv_b550AKqLo0TbR-8MMwwYQp45HDk8Ze99EFFzw0EW4LqPogK_yvB3JgaeEJrRqyEbGpGHA3ks3vjhj_7EJvDjzSD4CsxPUkcW70t9XI5pA3aewkY6WLDQY0HBY7gfK_JieBCY8Lq/s320/family+working.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332313225601365618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDwKGHF8pNk4yFAXCOsuzryMFTw2aLHvi4ypsFOQ8J80orTbLrWrDJV4YG0ibQmxEmWrHmuCxi3hPoEuFqSAocTP6SA0SZFJHPd78IdrMMnJuPDdt5ppP2ffNVHR3Atrtr-MxmTy5T8rP/s1600-h/Crowbar+kid.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDwKGHF8pNk4yFAXCOsuzryMFTw2aLHvi4ypsFOQ8J80orTbLrWrDJV4YG0ibQmxEmWrHmuCxi3hPoEuFqSAocTP6SA0SZFJHPd78IdrMMnJuPDdt5ppP2ffNVHR3Atrtr-MxmTy5T8rP/s320/Crowbar+kid.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332313226974363698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBcbfZjP2589hc_DshflQ1bftd96rdH5Eh00N0jx7y8n6Y9B0eNdd_1wzQY8VQbcVBf8jBAGBE0RyOZFYLAr2kl8tiJzRhTp6zU1cEa70WofSLOtbo9KmKxQ3kbA_EYeQEXlIMAcMjDje/s1600-h/Nathanael+moving+lumber.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBcbfZjP2589hc_DshflQ1bftd96rdH5Eh00N0jx7y8n6Y9B0eNdd_1wzQY8VQbcVBf8jBAGBE0RyOZFYLAr2kl8tiJzRhTp6zU1cEa70WofSLOtbo9KmKxQ3kbA_EYeQEXlIMAcMjDje/s320/Nathanael+moving+lumber.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332313219635469634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq4Modkqm5jlqtwcvX-jaj7a4nMioy6eQ_9SvNY_XP88ltDHogvXiDnvfsMaPZk2TOFj7tTpL6JgrM3dTp_38LW5RGXwjHE_41UbE7gkKxVpfRt8fIQjvcX2VLoGIrUMTBRR63WcrXK3v/s1600-h/Nathanel+and+Ed.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq4Modkqm5jlqtwcvX-jaj7a4nMioy6eQ_9SvNY_XP88ltDHogvXiDnvfsMaPZk2TOFj7tTpL6JgrM3dTp_38LW5RGXwjHE_41UbE7gkKxVpfRt8fIQjvcX2VLoGIrUMTBRR63WcrXK3v/s320/Nathanel+and+Ed.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332313218759867058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlwIFL5ino5HGJKEHbK4wltUQBLw1sBwrcegSs86lEH49u4T7v6apVGX4WRaECecQzZ3l7H1RY37FUQIklpGSi8HdItNfc3RMf7T4ZihH6oYeumSH8HjYLbBIQOmQ72Ap0NfdCEz7ea3L/s1600-h/window.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlwIFL5ino5HGJKEHbK4wltUQBLw1sBwrcegSs86lEH49u4T7v6apVGX4WRaECecQzZ3l7H1RY37FUQIklpGSi8HdItNfc3RMf7T4ZihH6oYeumSH8HjYLbBIQOmQ72Ap0NfdCEz7ea3L/s400/window.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332308785763510290" /></a>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-35000537050834809312009-04-26T11:39:00.000-07:002009-04-26T11:54:24.579-07:00Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction with Live, Local MusicWe had a wonderful weekend as visitors to First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji to talk about the Fuller Center for Housing. FLCWO is also the site of our dinner on Friday, May 8, 2009. Please email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com if you'd like tickets to our dinner and auction, and don't forget we'll have live, luscious, local music from Alan Morphew throughout the evening.<br /><br />As of now, our auction will include at no reserve:<br /><br />Two Okoboji art prints from Terril artist Anita Plucker<br />Bare Minerals Starter Kit from Derm Us, Spencer<br />"Get Out of That Pit" by Beth Moore and "3:16" by Max Lucado from On Eagle's Wings<br />Season passes to Arnold's Park<br />Gift Certificate to Hen House in Spencer<br />Framed Art Print from Steffen Furniture in Spencer<br />Caps from Southern Archery<br />Gift certificate to Royal Tan<br />Barn Quilt from Bob Stall<br />Cap, tee shirt and Millard Fuller memorial celebration nail apron (no longer available anywhere else) from the Fuller Center for Housing<br /><br />We are adding things to our auction every day. If anyone else has anything to donate to our auction please call Ed at 712-441-5437 or email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com.<br /><br />The following items are offered with a reserve price. We are taking advance bids at our email fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com. You can also email us for more information about each item. I hope to post more information about the travel packages on this blog in the next day or two.<br /><br />ENTERTAINMENT MEMORABILIA -- each item is signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authentication.<br /><br />Eric Clapton Guitar - this is a framed and mounted signed guitar<br /><br />Ringo Starr Drumhead Display<br /><br />Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Drumhead Display<br /><br />Bob Dylan Record Album custom framed and mounted<br /><br />Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr & George Harrison Record Album custom<br /><br />framed and mounted <br /><br />The Rolling Stones Record Album also custom<br /><br />presented<br /><br />Johnny Cash 16X20 signed photo<br /><br />Star Wars 16X20 Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford<br /><br />Miley Cyrus 16x20 signed photo<br /><br />Angelina Jolie 8X10 (no reserve)<br /><br />AMAZING TRAVEL PACKAGES<br /><br />*2010 Masters (Augusta, Georgia) Final Rounds with 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)<br /><br />*Disney World Resort Family Adventure 4-Night Package with Airfare for (4)<br /><br />*2010 Kentucky Derby First Floor Clubhouse Package includes 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) Golf, Dining & Spa 4-Night Package with Airfare for (2) <br /><br />*Choose Your Favorite Major 2009 NASCAR Race Premium Package with 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Nickelodeon Family Suites Orlando 4-Night Package with Airfare for (6)<br /><br />*Hyatt Regency Chicago 4-Night Stay with Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Southern Hospitality Golf Package 6-Nights Pairs Savannah (Georgia)<br />with Kiawah Island (South Carolina) with Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*NASCAR Car Racing Package with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Experience with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2) <br /><br />*Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Michigan Avenue Shopping Spree, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Kennedy Space Center Space Pass and Astronaut Training Experience with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the US Capitol Building with a Noted Historian in Washington DC, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)<br /><br />*Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including a Private Suite, Race Named in Your Honor, Trophy Presentation, 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Pebble Beach 4-Night Experience for (2) includes Carmel and a Luxury<br />Car Rental 2010 <br /><br />*Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Package includes 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />We WILL have capability of email bidding at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com for these so out of town people can participate.Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-28044367054740879532009-04-26T11:36:00.001-07:002009-04-26T11:39:38.219-07:00Pictures Stand for A Thousand Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAeHzIOGhkPLzDSzXFMubdnE8QJGm6qVtvuXvgB06hBnwdIMrUmOMaDcv8p61M7oANS2VVojUMq2SxfdY9syYSYIAFGImdivV1wHIxlvGHtgSXu61OOPxYRZcXYp4bpVcmnKDLmm3E1_7/s1600-h/PICT0025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAeHzIOGhkPLzDSzXFMubdnE8QJGm6qVtvuXvgB06hBnwdIMrUmOMaDcv8p61M7oANS2VVojUMq2SxfdY9syYSYIAFGImdivV1wHIxlvGHtgSXu61OOPxYRZcXYp4bpVcmnKDLmm3E1_7/s400/PICT0025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329071511525106002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI6eWcop6IcT1cuwv_EOsDsU0EHXABUINRtgsKNXc7f_pothfeY3AFwKfhtCVRv_Ao3yN2k7hF4NY9Ohkzg-KNwDOU9-3QwA_iVqghEGapgW05vG_mZLMRyjQG3eeQeuZ13STC2bvqprv/s1600-h/PICT0027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI6eWcop6IcT1cuwv_EOsDsU0EHXABUINRtgsKNXc7f_pothfeY3AFwKfhtCVRv_Ao3yN2k7hF4NY9Ohkzg-KNwDOU9-3QwA_iVqghEGapgW05vG_mZLMRyjQG3eeQeuZ13STC2bvqprv/s400/PICT0027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329071508159763698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zgcbkog9Gu-S5GEKC9P8aDCVTGyjCfDfmV7haqrQIYtIHl0S4qsEX_Dy0_PdSpsHwwMFPSMeGom4gqx2yl_s4Vvpq_4b8SQ6LvI_HGBUhZlWO0A_SRb5cemRy6Zal6BM1O6L8hWqYrRk/s1600-h/PICT0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zgcbkog9Gu-S5GEKC9P8aDCVTGyjCfDfmV7haqrQIYtIHl0S4qsEX_Dy0_PdSpsHwwMFPSMeGom4gqx2yl_s4Vvpq_4b8SQ6LvI_HGBUhZlWO0A_SRb5cemRy6Zal6BM1O6L8hWqYrRk/s400/PICT0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329071503186683186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M4iNGN9wAZjaKXj3Zhf_ljmgQCv7SHaLfP2EASJZQoJ69GL-3ja7MyC86NPyUxEmtefVWsEY0uXIvwdruY-rT46KPFrwxpl01RLL824_bq3s92fn4PJ6zS4ouviogWAjar3X-gBBiHbP/s1600-h/PICT0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M4iNGN9wAZjaKXj3Zhf_ljmgQCv7SHaLfP2EASJZQoJ69GL-3ja7MyC86NPyUxEmtefVWsEY0uXIvwdruY-rT46KPFrwxpl01RLL824_bq3s92fn4PJ6zS4ouviogWAjar3X-gBBiHbP/s400/PICT0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329071503674755138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TUzupNHEkKkX3w6J1JV3xu0WOi5-myqEuwZoFcpNdxYK67qVpwdy_AWTLJezixfFg-iZYzaoLrO4VD4q0kD8HApjGGKkQsLYFM1pOPhI6ole50yXFOBZqFCRm339nm3xxKLjLqVcW9Uc/s1600-h/PICT0040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TUzupNHEkKkX3w6J1JV3xu0WOi5-myqEuwZoFcpNdxYK67qVpwdy_AWTLJezixfFg-iZYzaoLrO4VD4q0kD8HApjGGKkQsLYFM1pOPhI6ole50yXFOBZqFCRm339nm3xxKLjLqVcW9Uc/s400/PICT0040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329071488811060914" /></a>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-47772849662810465022009-04-20T18:22:00.000-07:002009-04-20T18:46:59.585-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVCMicFj7niE6_1_XKmQPCSd2RDbBYHzRTeqh2LbuTDDA00lcUJ8gw1gzyvh_CgynDdPwN2UDVVhMsHZJwaq39eA-J7eULKaEwUQjSeIi8jt6NKsHuMhexIj2crfdgtAT3ZLgtVHS7FCH/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVCMicFj7niE6_1_XKmQPCSd2RDbBYHzRTeqh2LbuTDDA00lcUJ8gw1gzyvh_CgynDdPwN2UDVVhMsHZJwaq39eA-J7eULKaEwUQjSeIi8jt6NKsHuMhexIj2crfdgtAT3ZLgtVHS7FCH/s400/PICT0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326955208233098258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_JviQZWg1GsLGkGLBc3N6joLxfRv0tX7WoUc0cz3amYowqs7Vp9urIEE13C-xkIKsjnBlvJHXhAlvfWsnrUNYLhuL-ntAZ1EEeTuewjCN-sI0RrDioZGhQS2MpRShFqeTahrJxfNWybU/s1600-h/main+flr.+2008.12.8._3737.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_JviQZWg1GsLGkGLBc3N6joLxfRv0tX7WoUc0cz3amYowqs7Vp9urIEE13C-xkIKsjnBlvJHXhAlvfWsnrUNYLhuL-ntAZ1EEeTuewjCN-sI0RrDioZGhQS2MpRShFqeTahrJxfNWybU/s400/main+flr.+2008.12.8._3737.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326955204263122274" /></a><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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." <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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 <span style="font-weight:bold;">now</span>. We will have <span style="font-weight:bold;">major build days May 16, 23 and 30</span> at a minimum with our board members and core volunteers working with Lisa and her friends and family on other days, too. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Help us finish this simple home for an amazing family, and feel your heart grow at least two sizes.Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-7750718583459859672009-04-13T12:42:00.000-07:002009-04-13T13:04:40.129-07:00Feast and Fantasy -- for the reality of a livable home!What: Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Pasta Dinner with Auction and Live Music<br />When: Friday, May 8th 5:30-7:30 p.m.<br />Where: First Lutheran Church, West Okoboji, Iowa<br />Why: To make houses livable for our neighbors!<br /><br />Dinner: pasta with choice of sauce, garlic bread, salad and signature desserts<br /><br />Live Music: singer-songwriter Alan Morphew headlining our evening!<br /><br />Auction: We have the following auction items as of this writing:<br /><br />Passes to Arnold's Park. I believe they are season passes.<br /><br />Two art prints from Terril artist and Spencer Middle School art<br />teacher Anita "Katie" Plucker -- paintings of scenes around Okoboji.<br /><br />Eric Clapton Guitar - this is a framed and mounted signed guitar<br />Ringo Starr Drumhead Display<br /><br />Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Drumhead Display<br /><br />Bob Dylan Record Album custom framed and mounted<br /><br />Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr & George Harrison Record Album custom<br />framed and mounted<br /><br />The Rolling Stones Record Album also custom presented<br /><br />Johnny Cash 16X20 signed photo<br /><br />Star Wars 16X20 – Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford<br /><br />Miley Cyrus 16x20 signed photo (not my first choice on the list but<br />maybe someone with a tween girl will attend)<br /><br />Angelina Jolie 8X10 – Was thrown in by The Autograph Store<br /><br />AMAZING TRAVEL PACKAGES<br /><br />*Disney World Resort Family Adventure 4-Night Package with Airfare for (4)<br /><br />*2010 Kentucky Derby First Floor Clubhouse Package includes 3-Night<br />Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) Golf, Dining & Spa 4-Night Package<br />with Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Choose Your Favorite Major 2009 NASCAR Race Premium Package with<br />3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Nickelodeon Family Suites Orlando 4-Night Package with Airfare for (6)<br /><br />*Hyatt Regency Chicago 4-Night Stay with Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Southern Hospitality Golf Package 6-Nights Pairs Savannah (Georgia)<br />with Kiawah Island (South Carolina) with Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*NASCAR Car Racing Package with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Experience with 4-Night Stay and<br />Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Michigan Avenue Shopping Spree, 4-Night<br />Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Kennedy Space Center Space Pass and Astronaut Training Experience<br />with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />*Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the US Capitol Building with a Noted<br />Historian in Washington DC, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)<br /><br />*Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including a Private Suite,<br />Race Named in Your Honor, Trophy Presentation, 3-Night Stay and<br />Airfare for (2)<br /><br />Trip to 2010 Masters, airfare, 3 night stay, VIP passes, gift bags <br /><br />*Pebble Beach 4-Night Experience for (2) includes Carmel and a Luxury Car Rental<br /><br />2010 Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Package includes 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)<br /><br />We WILL have capability of phone, text and online bidding for these so out of town people can participate.<br /><br />Project:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6pmpoS5Ln2jK13L_44UjbQbZrF2UCosBFS3-VZOeaKTiiK-H1EScdK_mEA7f22rxjFSN76pC7ktWhxJEZAADaTJfQlgDMv2vKXJw8-F29nPGWIwLD6KNQmBGk8yik4K9Jx_46uQ8itj5/s1600-h/main+flr.nw+stairs.+2008.12.8._3738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6pmpoS5Ln2jK13L_44UjbQbZrF2UCosBFS3-VZOeaKTiiK-H1EScdK_mEA7f22rxjFSN76pC7ktWhxJEZAADaTJfQlgDMv2vKXJw8-F29nPGWIwLD6KNQmBGk8yik4K9Jx_46uQ8itj5/s400/main+flr.nw+stairs.+2008.12.8._3738.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324265330561940162" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzo9Gr-t7q3Bsrrhtaj3D10YzEHX6bK3cXWUKmI4fW1sytqmExroQreWUPzNOrp66migKnrWCcPtk1TZTJuU7QHEPF-UI1m0x-q5JBiksMFz8u5TC-iu5UwldgjuzVya0Lt9awiU_gTy9/s1600-h/exterior.north+east.+2008.12.8._3727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzo9Gr-t7q3Bsrrhtaj3D10YzEHX6bK3cXWUKmI4fW1sytqmExroQreWUPzNOrp66migKnrWCcPtk1TZTJuU7QHEPF-UI1m0x-q5JBiksMFz8u5TC-iu5UwldgjuzVya0Lt9awiU_gTy9/s400/exterior.north+east.+2008.12.8._3727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324265893180632322" /></a>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-28148943996107326372009-03-23T09:34:00.000-07:002009-03-23T09:49:12.785-07:00Save the Date! Feast with the Angels!Fuller Center for Housing - Iowa Great Lakes<br />Fundraising dinner and silent auction with live music.<br /><br />Friday night, May 8<br />5:30-7:30 p.m.<br />First Lutheran Church<br />West Okoboji, Iowa<br /><br />Tickets $10 from any Fuller Center Iowa Lakes board member<br />Email: fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com<br />Call: 712-441-5437 or 712-260-5027 (leave message on voicemail)<br /><br />Why should you come and dine with us? See blog below.<br /><br />We can't wait to see you!<br /><br />Is there a video with this short blog? Of course there is. Is it by downhere? Taste and see!<br /><br />"We've got lots of gifts so why don't we do what we were saved for? Come along and why don't we stir?"<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=5738a0b8e125a86c5f25" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="tangle" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-51422787442383442452009-03-23T08:12:00.000-07:002009-03-23T09:18:02.323-07:00Feast with the Angels!It's sunset on an evening in May. You're seated at a round table where the view of new houses dotting the green hills of West Okoboji are bathed in brilliant pinks, oranges and the shade of red that says love. You know the shade. We see it all the time on the Lakes.<br /><br />The scent of fresh baked desserts competes with the smell of pasta and garlic coming from the kitchen. Live music from local artists sets the stage for a night where not only do you get out of the house to see, be seen, socialize and savor, but the community comes together for one of its own.<br /><br />Right. I've been to a thousand spaghetti dinners, fish fries, hog roasts and pancake breakfasts in this town, you say. It's not all that, and your purple prose will never convince me otherwise.<br /><br />Fair enough. Maybe what we have is a garden variety spaghetti dinner<br />fundraiser.<br /><br />What if we have a not so secret spice in our kitchen? Before you groan that my analogy is cheesy, bear with me for a moment. What if the little we can do -- put on a pretty average pasta dinner -- is expanded, enhanced, grown to ten or a hundred times its scope through our faith?<br /><br />Huh?<br /><br />I'll be perfectly up front -- we're a new organization. We need everything. We have lots of passion and little money.<br /><br />But, our account has grown exponentially in the last two weeks through little donations -- $25 here from a total stranger who read the Fuller Center -- Iowa Lakes story at <a href="http://fullercenter.org/">http://fullercenter.org/</a> $150 from Farmer's Bank where our account is opened.<br /><br />We could raise enough money for our Terril project selling $10 tickets to our dinner one at a time. With live music and a silent auction, it's a bargain night out for a great cause.<br /><br />But it's more than that. All the dinners around town are for worthy enough causes, and all of them bring out generous people.<br /><br />All we're asking from you is a little, because God will take your $10, your mustard seed and grow it into a large tree, or in our case an entire house that needs to be redone almost from top to bottom.<br /><br />When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts. That's the economics of God's kingdom.<br /><br />Glen Barton, field operations for the Fuller Center for Housing, says our covenant partner has come about as "fire, ready, aim." Our first project found us, and as you can read in previous blogs, when we heard Lisa's story we knew we had to help. It was just us and we had no money, hadn't really started our covenant partner, we had nothing.<br /><br />Ed and I reached out last summer and fall for people to take a chance with us to make this project happen and found a fantastic, motivated, talented and inspired board that any nonprofit would be blessed to have. (Attention other local nonprofits -- do NOT steal our board members. You can borrow them, though, if they have the time and inclination to serve you the way they've served the Fuller Center for Housing).<br /><br />God grows the littlest shred of promise into a beautiful garment that can cover us all. The smallest effort, if he's in it, can create a new society. Rest assured our entire board is praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on us.<br /><br />Come see a few noodles grow into a magnificent feast. A few materials create a new home. A few hearts glow scarlet with the color of amazing, agape love.<br /><br />Today's video is another fitting song from Downhere called "Little is Much."<br />"This is a song for the weaker, the failures and so-called losers. Little is much when God's in it and no one can fathom the plans he holds. Little is much when God's in it, he changes the world with the seeds we sow."<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iMboepSomRw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iMboepSomRw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-44633841934532525192009-02-03T08:16:00.000-08:002009-02-03T08:56:35.718-08:00Man Builds Some Houses -- Wins Palace in Paradise!Millard Fuller passed away last night. This should be a bigger deal to the world than Elvis or John Lennon. However, much like the passing of Mother Theresa was an afterthought to the splash of our collective grief for the people's princess, Millard's life will be celebrated and his internment completed at Koinonia Farm in Millard style -- with lots of love and devotion and fewer loud horns and clanging symbols.<br /><br />Millard didn't enter his mission for the people's glory -- if he'd wished, he could have stayed in mail order business and his passing might be splashed across the Wall Street Journal today, "The Passing of a Great Tycoon." Millard as a luminary was not so much the splash of big city lights as the glow of the moon over Georgia.<br /><br />His reach was across the oceans and over seas. Kirk Lyman Barner and Ryan Iafigliola report from the Fuller Center for Housing headquarters in Georgia that their phones have been literally ringing off the hook with calls the world over. <br /><br />Ed and I never got to meet Millard Fuller -- we've never met Kirk, Ryan, Cori or Glen from the Fuller Center in real life, though we feel like they are dear friends through phone calls, email and the connection of Facebook. Yet Millard's touch (he was at times accused of reaching out and touching excessively, though his longtime friend, President Jimmy Carter, attributes this to the combination of Millard's purely loving heart and his deep southern roots) through his courageous, insightful and spirit-led words guided Ed to a real purpose, a life's work, a vocation he can find passion and meaning through -- something he has never, ever had.<br /><br />Millard, how do we go on without you? How do we talk to an angel? You'll always be with us -- not only in the glow of the Georgia moon but in the Armenian sunset, the tropical rains of Peru, the bright afternoon sun of India and the dawn of a new day in Australia. But without you here, how do we define the coming path?<br /><br />"We may disagree on all sorts of other things ... but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest." -- Millard Fuller's Theology of the Hammer.<br /><br />Hebrews 11:1 “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” <br /><br />Matthew 17:20 “I tell you the truth, if you have faith that grows like a<br />mustard tree, even if it begins insignificantly small, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” <br /><br />Millard, you showed us that we can show mountains how big our God is, with a soft, southern drawl. Not all of us are southern, but we can all pick up a hammer and get back to work. <br /><br />Thank you, Millard Fuller. Praise God for your life. The race is won, amazing servant.<br /><br />The work of the Fuller Center Iowa Lakes will go on because the eternal goes on and the truth is we need to be hands and feet, arms and minds and hearts until we've finished the race.<br /><br />Today's video is Casting Crowns, "The Voice of Truth." Listen to the story of the Voice of Truth. Don't be afraid. We'll remember whose glory this is for, we'll move on in courage, in dedication, in love.<br /><br />As we finish off the house in Terril for Lisa and her daughters, Millard will cheer our victory from above and the choirs of heaven will sing and cheer us. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUtCV2tvmeA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUtCV2tvmeA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-72165404567198048522009-01-19T09:31:00.001-08:002009-01-19T09:48:16.589-08:00Board Meeting!The Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes will have a board meeting at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 21 either at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer or at Perkins in Milford. We will post and email by noon Tuesday with the final location. <br /><br />If you are part of the board, please join us. <br /><br />If you are not part of the board and would like to serve, we can always use more committee and at-large board members.<br /><br />If you are neither on the board nor feeling called to serve at this time, please pray that we will find the funds and volunteers to complete our project in Terril. <br /><br />God has blessed our mission abundantly so far with an amazing but challenging project, terrific people ready to serve, and even more people praying for God's best for the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes.<br /><br />On a national level, the Fuller Center for Housing (http://fullercenter.org/) has grown from 21 covenant partners to 47 in 2008. <br /><br />On this very memorable Inauguration Day as many in our communities are facing very bleak economic situations, please pray that the Fuller Center for Housing can continue to eliminate poverty housing in communities throughout the world, and that the Fuller Center--Iowa Lakes will fulfill its mission right here.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mYIXkdKjE7M&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mYIXkdKjE7M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Today's YouTube video is "Ata Kadosh" by the Israeli rock artist Adi Ran. The song is from the soundtrack of Ushpizin -- a wonderful Israeli movie about miracles and the everyday lives of Orthodox Jews during one of their little-known-to-us feast celebrations. The rough translation is this:<br /><br />I've traveled many paths,<br />in search for a pinch of truth,<br />and I didn't hesitate to take a bite of it, the delicacy of sin.<br />We didn't find ourselves,<br />there is no more point in denying,<br />this culture is not for us<br />for we have fire in our hearts! <br /><br />This temporary material is useless,<br />the serpent of the senses, is still lying.<br />When you close your eyes,<br />In the end, the truth will come clear.<br />And it's hard to grasp with the mind,<br />the imagination disappoints as well,<br />But there's a ruler to this business,<br />and He loves us! <br /><br />And the "Ata Kadosh" means "His Name is Holy."<br /><br />As we all struggle on some level in our world's condition, let's remember "There's a ruler to this business."Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-70889399863087393902008-12-11T08:06:00.000-08:002008-12-13T12:39:50.032-08:00The House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjov9j41CK84SvIAC_qRly_-48VDsR-JfTZytqg33NGJk3aS-pgvbD7eDsWf3YmO2JguapCdi8PYf7f1JRdoR4D9SYJYL36dRj99ODCFV-ikAHlo7qI4xfjnSSSsUjZpZ4JLx6qdioBXJri/s1600-h/main+flr.+2008.12.8._3737.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjov9j41CK84SvIAC_qRly_-48VDsR-JfTZytqg33NGJk3aS-pgvbD7eDsWf3YmO2JguapCdi8PYf7f1JRdoR4D9SYJYL36dRj99ODCFV-ikAHlo7qI4xfjnSSSsUjZpZ4JLx6qdioBXJri/s400/main+flr.+2008.12.8._3737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568293103650242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA3Tiv22ufY8Q3kbk5XkZhY00s2ZSN49dYzL62JJ8H5fiOCPDfNfJ7UyYgc3uz6DBkRnLt3N41E3IrajBDSIW54VE6pR6Vr1lKIXSIVxMc01N1BiYWyIM1cFpuN4keAJEpYm97bHXj9OC/s1600-h/PICT0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA3Tiv22ufY8Q3kbk5XkZhY00s2ZSN49dYzL62JJ8H5fiOCPDfNfJ7UyYgc3uz6DBkRnLt3N41E3IrajBDSIW54VE6pR6Vr1lKIXSIVxMc01N1BiYWyIM1cFpuN4keAJEpYm97bHXj9OC/s400/PICT0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568286406966754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTW_ABwkbt67mSlwHCke8j9eGNdX1CoNnYkgSzAD5Y8ASaax1Uw05uIRYoN7naLFGucLlvVJSLsXStzgTwvhVjfVB3E5SQIzRWq_1F1MMh8xNsOBxfwA3WhObx5zKMTMJWTms6XibF4sx/s1600-h/main+flr.nw+stairs.+2008.12.8._3738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTW_ABwkbt67mSlwHCke8j9eGNdX1CoNnYkgSzAD5Y8ASaax1Uw05uIRYoN7naLFGucLlvVJSLsXStzgTwvhVjfVB3E5SQIzRWq_1F1MMh8xNsOBxfwA3WhObx5zKMTMJWTms6XibF4sx/s400/main+flr.nw+stairs.+2008.12.8._3738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568280488724946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc81tnpoq3MWDbib8jgS1AqlnmCcfnR1qFf6B1rq_xQFWliYCdoAp8fRRRONaHEtbfPSNGI6NJKZVsIC8Rm7YwEdoZ71bhg4aGCaJmdArOMm6SbWh0iaIhoPtB0tVCDUbRF7Yi_QmJQEp/s1600-h/exterior.north+east.+2008.12.8._3727.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc81tnpoq3MWDbib8jgS1AqlnmCcfnR1qFf6B1rq_xQFWliYCdoAp8fRRRONaHEtbfPSNGI6NJKZVsIC8Rm7YwEdoZ71bhg4aGCaJmdArOMm6SbWh0iaIhoPtB0tVCDUbRF7Yi_QmJQEp/s400/exterior.north+east.+2008.12.8._3727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568265442784002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTdCzpOI4wQxiDX26-vsBgigvo72EqGRMQD8jH4ATa5_hP3X8TTl8wzZhSXL6xWSzBjekarcYwhEOkncOQWa6wjgDH5CPXZkH36EdDYu0UKnyopQfUP3alQRCeFSh97xqSMkfdZl1O10w/s1600-h/PICT0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTdCzpOI4wQxiDX26-vsBgigvo72EqGRMQD8jH4ATa5_hP3X8TTl8wzZhSXL6xWSzBjekarcYwhEOkncOQWa6wjgDH5CPXZkH36EdDYu0UKnyopQfUP3alQRCeFSh97xqSMkfdZl1O10w/s400/PICT0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278568261562284050" border="0" /></a><br />Monday, during an ice storm, several board members and guests joined Lisa (we can use her name now) the homeowner at her house in Terril to survey the work to be done. We shivered in the gutted house and saw again the great potential of the open concept, the great windows, and the very nice lot for raising a little family.<br /><br />I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves. The one where board members Ed and Nick are standing, talking to Earl, the master plumbing and heating guy -- they're standing in the bathroom. No, really. The frost footings are there for the water and sewer lines, but that part of the house had to be demolished so the bathroom, right now, is open air.<br /><br />The house needs everything, but we're up for the challenge.<br /><br />We can't do it on our own. We've had a donation of insulation as well as many hands ready to help. But everything from drywall to flooring to wiring to plumbing to a furnace and air conditioning to appliances is still on its way.<br /><br />Will you help deliver it? Any day now the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes page will appear on the Fuller Center for Housing website at http://fullercenter.org/ The page will have the Donate Now button. Otherwise, feel free to email us if you have an in kind donation we can pick up.<br /><br />Thank you for helping us create livable housing for our friends and neighbors in the Iowa Lakes.<br /><br />Enjoy the photos.<br /><br />And...this video, reminding us that God uses us "as is." You might think you don't have what it takes to serve God and do big things for Him as His hands and feet here on earth. Trust me, if Ed and I can do it, you can, too. <br /><br />This song, by Iowa native Peder Eide, reminds us that nearly everyone God used whose story was recorded in the bible started out with serious deficiencies in ability, character, and motivation. <br /><br />If you feel a pull on your heart and a recurring image in your mind of some way you can make the world a better place, I hope you will act on it. God will fill in what you lack.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b-I3Okfw9YM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b-I3Okfw9YM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-14110185937998719662008-12-04T15:41:00.000-08:002009-02-01T15:58:44.015-08:00Home for ChristmasAre you on Facebook? If so, we invite you to join our Facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35209756523&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=34605411908/<br /><br />The Fuller Center Iowa Lakes family is growing. We have our five board members -- a diverse group of our friends and neighbors in the Lakes area -- and more volunteers are coming forward. We will be meeting with our board soon to sign our Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws. We've received some in-kind donations for our first project house and will soon be able to receive monetary donations, too.<br /><br />As a nation, we're in the worst financial situation since the Great Depression. Has that affected your giving? It will affect everyone and everything. It provides all the more reason to help our struggling neighbors make their homes livable so they can stay there.<br /><br />I talk a lot in this blog about the call on my husband, Ed's, heart. We've been so affirmed, so blessed, so overwhelmed by how it's all coming together -- confirming what we've felt for years.<br /><br />Okay, here's the video for this blog. It's by my favorite band, Downhere -- a new song that came out this Fall.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hlNNYxSNhUA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hlNNYxSNhUA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />"Here I am, Lord, send me. Somehow my story is a part of Your plan."<br /><br />"In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces. I can't put this together, but You can."<br /><br />Blessings in this season to you all. In Advent we remember the light in the darkness. In His birth, we'll see the light fill the world. Thank you for glowing some light in the darkness, for having faith that He will put together your piece of this mess.Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4415911217517288803.post-39996544987969544362008-11-06T11:59:00.000-08:002008-11-06T12:48:55.029-08:00Give Thanks<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">We're still waiting with hoping hearts for board members to find their way to us. Ed has also been out tirelessly recruiting. We have many hands ready to swing a hammer, but not enough people willing to give some time to prayerfully steering our course.<br /><br />Each blog I hope to add a video from YouTube or GodTube that helps illustrate our theme. Last time it was "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns. This is Ed's lifesong to God and to the earth. I have faith that God will make it all come together in His perfect timing.<br /><br />Waiting is hard though. "Leah" and her daughters are spending another winter in borrowed quarters. The older daughter is growing and it must be hard knowing the place they're staying is not really theirs. The infant, Mary, is starting to get around and form memories. Wouldn't it be great if those memories could be in the little home her mom and late grandpa made for her?<br /><br />I'm going to take a little step out and post two short videos. One is a spoken word poem called "Faith" by Sean Camoni of New Jersey, one of my favorite spoken word artists on YouTube.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IrppsJ1Xnn0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IrppsJ1Xnn0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Faith is "a hammer and nails to put up the walls/careful construction the house never falls."<br /><br />"Hope for a home/faith can finish the roof."<br /><br />He calls us to be His hands and feet.<br /><br />Can we show Leah and her little family the "evidence of providence?"<br /><br />The other video I want to send out to all you board members is the Canadian band "downhere" with their song, "Little is Much." Any little bit you can give in faith to your friends and neighbors, He will multiply.<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers, your offers, your hands, your evidence of heaven in our neighborhood. I pray that God blesses you every day -- He does: sometimes you have to look around for it.<br /><br />Please subscribe if you have a blog feed and if you've found your way here, please go head and leave a comment, if only just to say hi. Thanks.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CQmZy8qaMMg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CQmZy8qaMMg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></span></span>Fuller Center Iowa Lakeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10676009274709916323noreply@blogger.com0