This Week's Opening Quote -

"Great minds have purposes; others have wishes." (Washington Irving, 1783-1859, American author)

This Week's Scripture -
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, English Standard Version)

This Week's Prayer -

"Lord, I believe in You. You exist. I can tell testimony-after-testimony of Your work in my life. I love you. Help me to love You more, Lord. I love You for my salvation. Thank You, Jesus! Father, help me see all of the events of my life as refining elements. Make me become more like Christ! I have been called according to Your purpose, and I wish to honor and glorify you through all of my words and actions. So help me, God. Amen.

A DMC Early Education parent reported that his wife sent him the following text message on Wednesday of this week: "We saw the high school band practicing outside school [today]. One of the boys was dressed in a full Jesus costume [for a Homecoming dress-up day]. [The pre-school son] thought it was really Jesus. He asked me, 'Why is Jesus at my school today?' The great part was he thought it was normal for Jesus to be at his school." Don't you love it?! That pre-school student is exactly right. It IS normal for God to be at our school! We welcome Him wholeheartedly every day! Des Moines Christian is God's school!

We have a great opportunity in front of us to pray for our administrative staff and teachers. Over and over again, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Church to pray for one another.  He had first-hand experience knowing that, when we pray for each other, Jesus' love and grace will cover us, grow in us, and work through us.  Let's pour out our love to DMC teachers and staff through prayers for them.  We still need prayer intercessors for Elementary and Administrative staff.  Will you please say "YES!" to this indescribable blessing?  Right now, e-mail Mary Maltby, coordinator of this prayer covering.  Your task is simple.  Select a teacher/staff person or ask for one to be assigned to you.  Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you often to pray for this person with prayers of praise, petitions, and thanks.  Connect with your prayer partner immediately through e-mail, but also periodically meet with him/her face-to-face, and pray over the person in his/her room or office.  Make yourself regularly available for prayer cover.  Let's come alongside, support, and love the people of God at Des Moines Christian School. Thank you! Important note:  Praise our faithful Lord! He is raising up the next generation to intercede.  Our Secondary staff/teachers are covered by 33 secondary students who are willingly committing to pray at this moment.  Acclaim Jesus!

Who is she? She's Dutch.  She's young.  She's blonde.  She's a wife. She's a Mom.  Good at both.  She's bright.  She's articulate.  She's a creative problem-solver.  She's conservative with life issues but liberal with good ideas.  She experienced Christian education -- as have her children. She has the gift of hospitality.  She can turn the dullest day into a party. She loves the Lord.  She loves her family.  She's a chip-off-the-old-practical-joker-block of her grandmother Minerva and father Henry. Everyone in her family seems to love numbers.  No one can run a spreadsheet like she.  She majors on the majors and minors on the minors.  She's a major reason that Des Moines Christian is functioning as well as the school does.  God turned the school around financially through her work, and she was SO young at the time of greatest crisis.  Of course, you guess who "she" is:  Julia Veenstra!  

Plan now to attend the Fall Association Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 24th,followed by our annual fall Open House from 7:15-8:00 p.m. for Early Education through Grade 12!

Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) will be selling Lion Cub Spirit Items to Early Education and Elementary school families at this year's Open House on September 24th. We have Lion Cub water bottles, pennants, foam paws, and vinyl seat cushions for sale. These items are fun for your Early Education and Elementary students to bring with them when they cheer on DMCS student-athletes or to hang in their bedrooms! Look for our table in the Multi Purpose Room during the Open House!

SELL! SELL! SELL MAGAZINES!! Students have ONE MORE DAY to hand in their magazine orders for PTF's Annual Magazine Sale.  Monday, September 24 is the last day for your child to turn in magazine orders and to earn a chance to spend some time in the Game Truck -- new to the magazine sale this year!  PTF raises about 50% of its funds from this fundraiser -- funds used to bless DMCS teachers, students, and staff!  We need you to use these last few days to do what you can to help!!  Congratulations to Amanda Mona in Mrs. Roxanne Wilson's 6th grade class for winning the recent $50 drawing!   

Thank you, students and parents, for saving Campbell's Labels!!  PTF is proud to announce that we are making our first purchase of the year from the collection of those labels - a CD player for the Elementary Physical Education classes to use.  Keep saving and turning them in with your Box Tops, so we can purchase more items on our Wish List!  To view DMCS' wish list and check out our point total, please go to www.LabelsforEducation.com.   

Are you ready to have some fun at DMCS?  Becoming a Homeroom Parent is fun and easy!   Put a smile on your child's face, and be a part of organizing the classroom parties.  Please contact Pam Baker at 250-5584 if you are interested or have questions.  PTF is here to help!

McTeacher Night

• Tuesday, October 2nd
• 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the McDonald's on 50th Street in Clive (11400 Forest Lane). 
• Some of our elementary teachers will be on hand to serve you. 
• Ronald McDonald will attend.  (He is HILARIOUS!)
• Elementary and Early Education will both be involved. 
• The Parent Teacher Fellowship is overseeing this event.
• You will not want to miss this opportunity! We had a grand time in 2011!

Scholarships Available:

Monday, October 1, 2012 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. - National Christian College Fair. DMCS is again hosting around 30 Christian college representatives who will be available for families for conversation.  There is also a financial aid presentation beginning at 7:00 p.m..  This is a great opportunity for ALL high school students to visit with many different Christian colleges, as families consider post-secondary education.  Please come out and support this event.