How very sad to attend the funeral of a DMC father just before the start of this school year. Thai Seo Leng passed into eternity on Thursday, August 9, 2012, and an overflowing audience celebrated his life on Sunday, August 12th. That audience included a large number of DMC students, parents, and staff members supporting students Linette and Torrance Leng. Mr. Leng was only 60, but he obviously lived a full life as a hard working entrepreneur who loved his family. One of the first Vietnamese refugees in Des Moines, he worked his way from dishwasher at the Embassy Club to owner of his own business, The House of Thai Restaurant on 100th Street in Urbandale. Westchester Evangelical Free Church Senior Pastor Don Long did an excellent job in delivering a eulogy and making the Gospel personal to everyone in the audience, but the highlight of the service was hearing all five of the Leng children speak about their father. With unbridled emotion, each fought through their tears to say how proud they were of their father and how fortunate to have been his children. I hope my two daughters speak of me in such terms at my memorial service. I was so proud of Torrance and Linette for eloquently eulogizing their father. Would you please encourage, pray for, and support the Leng family in the months and years ahead? Last year, the DMCS Board approved a new fund, the "Bereavement Fund."  DMCS is able to accept contributions into this fund and distribute money for students who have experienced the death of a parent.  A family is eligible for funding from the Bereavement fund for one school year.  Others can assist financially for the 2012-2013 school year through this fund. If you are interested in making such a donation to the Bereavement Fund to assist Torrance and Linette Leng, please submit a check with "Bereavement Fund" in the memo line of the check.  

To replace the rah-rah community time of the all-parent meeting, we have enhanced the meet-and-greet of the Tuesday immediately prior to the first day of school, so join us for refreshments in the Multi-Purpose Room before, during, or after meeting your students' teachers and administrators! Remember, this is also a day for drop-off of supplies to classrooms or lockers. So join us anytime between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21st for introductions, fellowshipping, and refreshments!

Do you know Don Caves? Mr. Caves serves as the junior-senior Bible instructor and Secondary Chaplain for Des Moines Christian. He is the devoted husband of Ann and father of Justus, Charis, Duncan, Wesley, Darby, and Carsten. Mr. Caves was an accomplished college football player, AND he graduated with a Master's degree from seminary! Prior to coming to DMC as a Bible teacher and football coach, he served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Wisconsin. Don is a very committed man of God, and he is a remarkable example of someone who pours his life into the lives of his students. Students positively respond to his personality and disciple-making. During my 12 years at DMC, the seniors have selected Mr. Caves as their graduation speaker for a vast majority of commencement exercises, a testament of their love and regard for him. I greatly appreciate one of the highlights of my school year - being able to co-teach a college level Screwtape Letters literature unit in senior English just prior to graduation. Please take the time to thank Mr. Caves for his investment of time in the young people of our school. Please take the time to thank Mrs. Caves and their children for so generously sharing Mr. Caves with his DMC family!

Many of you already know our new Staff Accountant in Accounts Payable, because she is a DMCS parent. Welcome Koty Vande Griend (pronounced van duh greened)! Koty is from Sioux Center, Iowa. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management from Valparaiso University of Indiana. She brought a great deal of experience in the business world to Des Moines Christian, having worked in management at Walgreen's, Cabela's, and Wells Fargo. She is a kind and gentle soul who has caught on quickly to her new position through her obvious work ethic. I praise the Lord that we were able to hit the ground running with Koty during a quick transition in the summer! Please welcome her to her new responsibilities!

Another new staff member is no stranger to many in the school community, since she, too, is a school parent, and she has most recently served as Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director and Director of Curriculum and Assessment. Welcome Paula Osborn to her new responsibilities as Administrative Assistant to Secondary Guidance Counselor! Paula has been a dedicated, loyal, hard-working, joy-filled, godly member of our staff, and I expect nothing less in her new position. She is a spirited woman who will engage you in witty repartee to the point of YOUR breaking point! Please help her acclimate to a much-increased set of responsibilities to support Cindy Kostek, our excellent Secondary Guidance Counselor. Paula will also be an office "generalist," teaming to provide first-rate customer service to everyone in the Secondary department. Paula was an English major at Coe College. (I knew there was another reason I liked her so much!) She also served for five years as an associate in the Financial Aid Office of Coe and two years as an administrative assistant with the West Des Moines Public Schools. The interview team which gave input about Paula and other candidates said the following about Paula:

• Exciting
• Energetic
• Experienced in different venues and schools
• Knowledgeable
• Excellent work ethic
• Good answers to questions
• Brings a lot to the table
• Positive relationships are already built.
  Has familiarity with the computer system [a major job responsibility]

Welcome aboard to your new responsibilities, Mrs. Osborn!