Editing and Periodic Writing by Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent  

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  (Romans 12:12) 

God, I need joy.  I get so busy that I lack joy.  I find myself in the midst of conflict, and I lack joy.  Struggling with problems in my life, I allow myself to be robbed of joy.  Lord, I ask for joy that can come only from You and in circumstances when few people choose to experience joy.  Father God, help me to be patient in the midst of my afflictions.  Prompt me to ask, “Why not me?” instead of “Why me?”  Throughout my life, help me to pray without ceasing, and help me to become more like Your son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  In His strong name, I pray these things.  Amen.

Last week, I wrote about Association parent Kevin Heer’s deployment as a fighter pilot in Iraq.  He is scheduled for several more weeks of service in that dangerous region.  Please pray for him, his wife Rachel and their daughters, Madeline and Meredith.  If you want to offer him words of encouragement, you can send an e-mail to Kevin at kevin.heer@blab.afcent.af.mil. I just heard from Kevin by e-mail, and I know he would be encouraged to hear from you.  Check out some of his inspiring ideas in his recent e-mail to me –

Bob,

Thanks for the note! Things are going well over here; we have everyone settled in and flying. The weather is hot, dry, and dusty – we hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit the other day, and, during some days, the dust is so bad that it is like a fog.  (I have attached some pictures.)  It is my great honor and privilege to fly and support the brave soldiers and Marines on the ground. I have had the chance to meet many of them at chow (this base has about twice as many army guys here as Air Force), and I have decided that there is a "new" greatest generation defending our country by fighting this war. I have also seen that we are at war with a brutal and savage enemy that will not hesitate to kill us, our wives, and children – or kill their own families in attaining their goals. I am amazed at how little the average "man on the street" back home knows about this war or the brave men and women who are serving and sacrificing over here. . . . [Another Christian and I] have started a small group (5-6 guys) watching “The Truth Project” in my room 3 nights a week, and we are encouraged at what God will do in each of our lives through this ministry. He has been a great encouragement to me, and I am thankful that God has given me a brother to walk with over here.  The girls are doing awesome. God is doing wonderful things in the lives of all the girls, and it gives me great comfort to know that He is using this time to refine each of them in my absence. Each day, God does something incredible in the life of our family that reminds me how good He is to His children.  I thank you for your prayers, and I thank God for our friendship.

In Christ,

Kevin 

“Enrollment Stimulus Plan” – What’s That?!  Head to the DMC website (www.dmcs.org), and click on "Enrollment Stimulus Plan."  pdf

Remember, parents and students, please get your DMC summer camp registrations to one of the offices as soon as possible!  We will advertise the camps in an upcoming “Every School / Every Thursday” column of the Des Moines Register, and registration will fill on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please assure yourself of a spot in each of the desired camps!

TAP Notes May 5, 2008:  Bonus Discounts for April:  Land’s End at 12%, Bath and Body Works at 18%, and Younkers at 10% until May 9 – also Staples at 10% until May 23, Barnes and Noble at 10% until May 30, and Borders at 10% until June 6.  TAP Order Calendar:  May 12 – TAP store and order; May 19 – TAP – orders only, no store; and May 26 – no TAP due to Memorial Day.  Summer Order Dates (subject to change; please check the website):  June 2, 9, and 23 – July 14 and 28 – August 11 and 25.  Summer orders are order only with no TAP store.  All orders must be dropped off in the TAP drop box located next to the bulletin board in the Multi-Purpose Room by 3:00 p.m. on the above dates.  Orders will be available for pick-up in the Business Office after 8:30 a.m. on Friday of the same week. 

Friday, September 5^th, 2008………..What is that?  The date for the 9^th Annual DMC Golf Tournament!  Presenting Sponsors are AMZ Financial Insurance Services, LLC, Banker’s Trust, Life Brokers’ Resource, Inc., Park West Apartments, and Johnsrud Transport, Inc.  Please consider one of the following ways that you can help DMC through this event:  (1) Play in a foursome at $100 each by May 30, 2008 or $125 each after May 30^th; (2) Be a Presenting Sponsor for $1,500, including four complimentary golfers and MUCH advertising of your sponsorship; (3) Celebrate 60 Sponsor for $1,000 (to celebrate DMC’s 60^th year as a school, including one complimentary golfer and some advertising); (4) Gallery Sponsor at $100 to sponsor a golfer; (5) Feed a Foursome Sponsor for $50; or (6) a Prize Sponsor, to be recognized as a sponsor at the event and on our website.  The start is 8:00 a.m. on a shotgun start.  A $2,500 putting contest is offered!  Fabulous awards and prizes!  Lunch provided!  Grand prize for largest amount raised!  Hole-in-one challenge ($5,000 for DMC and $5,000 for the winner)!  Come one, come all!  Proceeds provide needs-based scholarships for DMC students!  Send your intent to Peggy Lettow at Des Moines Christian School, 13007 Douglas Parkway, Suite 100, Urbandale, Iowa, 50323.  Questions?  Call Peggy at 252.2496. 

Elementary Chapel for Wednesday, May 14, 2008 – 8:45-9:10 a.m. – Multi-Purpose Room –  Speaker Lori Eilers, First Assembly of God, on joyfulness!  Lori is one of our favorite speakers!  Secondary Chapel for Wednesday, May 14, 2008 – 10:35-11:15 a.m. – Gymnasium –TBA.  All are welcome at chapels!

Calling all Green Thumbs!!!  The school has a need for faithful servants to “adopt-a-bed” as we care for our grounds until the next snow flies. Volunteers will be assigned a specific flowerbed to tend and check on every 2 weeks by Association member Kristie Lundeen; care involved is weeding, clipping, mulching, and rare watering in times of drought. If interested, please e-mail Mrs. Lundeen at kllgardener@yahoo.com with your name, phone, and e-mail address, and she will contact you with further instructions! Also needed is a tree expert who excels in knowledge of the care and upkeep of the trees on our property; if you fit this title, please contact Kristie!     

Are you 14 or older and looking for something to do this summer?  Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is looking for young adults to serve as summer missionaries sharing the Good News in the greater Des Moines Area through their 5-Day Clubs.  The 5-Day Clubs are held in neighborhood backyards, community centers, etc. and are one hour per day for one week during the summer.  Summer missionaries lead these clubs through songs, Bible verses, stories, and games.  You must be a born-again believer and have a desire the serve the Lord to serve as a CEF missionary.  If you are interested, would like more information, or would like to host a 5-Day Club in your neighborhood, please call Linda at the Heartland Chapter at 254.0005 -- or school parent Laurie Zepp at 986.0128.

Joy is the theme of The Great Relationship Experience in May.  The first graders of Pam Wilson and Charlene Brown’s classes presented the joys of and the promise in their talents during Elementary Chapel on Wednesday, May 7, 2008.  A large audience of students, staff, parents, grandparents, and friends watched as the DMC Class of 2019 spoke, sang, acted, prayed, and shared Scriptures related to the “promise” and “potentiality” of God!  Speaking of talents, DMC Talented and Gifted Teacher Paige Thiner walked in circles ON HER HANDS, and first grader Harrison Brockman STUCK HIS ENTIRE FIST IN HIS MOUTH!  The teachers did a wonderful job of involving all of the students, the choral recitations were great, and the audience was involved during a segment called, “Raise You Hand If [You Have a Certain Talent].”  We saw the most unique dramatic rendition of the left-handed talent of the Old Testament Ehud, “The Left-Handed Assassin.”  What a great application of unique talent (even if a bit grisly).  At the close, Elementary Principal Cade Lambert rightly pointed out that “Oh, Goody” could become a new catch-phrase at DMC!  (You had to be there.)  The children leading chapel showed their own talents beautifully, using humor throughout.  PowerPoint slides were used to great effectiveness.  Thank you, first graders and first grade teachers!

Last call for the next Date with a Purpose on Friday, May 9^th!  Join Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg from 7:00-9:30 p.m. at the Bridge Campus of Meredith Drive Reformed Church, 10025 NW 62^nd Avenue, Johnston.  If you haven’t already signed up, click here to register now!  Or, even better, click here to sign up for the next TWO Date with a Purpose events and save $8!  Friday, May 9^th at Meredith Drive Reformed Church in Johnston and Friday, September 19^th at Point of Grace Church in Waukee.  There’s no better way to say “I love you” than to set aside these evenings to learn, laugh, and have some dedicated time as a couple.   

During the May 7, 2008 Secondary Chapel, Secondary Mathematics Instructor Karen DeBruin shared her unique experience of encouraging two of her former students who are currently in prison for murder.  If you would like to read my notes of Mrs. DeBruin’s Chapel message, please visit the school website (www.dmcs.org), and click on “Unending Love, Amazing Grace.” .”  http://www.dmcs.org/ArchiveDrBobArticles/Unending Love Amazing Grace.htm 

The mission of Des Moines Christian is to equip the next generation to think, discern, and act through biblically-directed, Christ-centered education.