Loaded with Tylenol and tissues in hand (great timing, huh?), I’m checking off my to-do list and getting ready to head out to the airport soon to fly to Atlanta (Remember the crazy video voting race?). In case you’re looking for us, we’ll be at Together for Adoption‘s national conference for the next couple days–thanks to all of those who “clicked” for us.

Apparently, there are no yeehaws in Dallas. There’s big hair, painted nails, and lipstick…so I’m told…and lots of ya’lls, but no yeehaws.

Good to know.

Because we’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. And, I’m totally psyched for it.

About 70 hours of homework all around Empowered to Connect will culminate in a few days of intensive all-day training. Might sound a bit grueling, but the material is compelling and rich and so practical, and we can’t wait to get more training and be able to share it.

So, while the kiddos head to Grammy Camp for 5 days, we’ll be heading to the Lone Star State by. our. selves.

Can you tell that I’m viewing this training in a way as a second honeymoon?

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (Eph 3:8-9)

This is what it’s all been about. Proclaiming the boundless riches we have through Christ and making plain to everyone–even those who speak a different first language–the administration of this mystery, who God is and how He works.

Knowing that, remembering that, makes all the difference.

Knowing that makes Day 10 here have meaning too.

Last post was about summer; this post is about school. I know it’s still summer vacation though it isn’t for much longer for some of you. But, this needs attention now.

A child (child) can legally drop out of school at the age of 16. And, every 9 seconds in the U. S., one does–7,000 a day. Quite alarming, isn’t it?

Wanna help some efforts to prevent high school students dropping out? I’m not going to ask you for money. It’s so stinkin’ easy to help that you have no reason not to (unless you are currently in China bringing your baby home–as I know some of sweet friends are!).

P&G (you know, the big ole company Proctor & Gamble?) will be putting out a special edition of their Sunday coupons this Sunday, July 31st. For each coupon redeemed, P&G will donate $.02 to Communities In Schools, the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization. The donation is uncapped – so the more you save with coupons, the more you/they give. Pretty neat.

If that weren’t easy enough, I’ve got an even easier way to help. With a long track record of philanthropic work and a commitment to education, John Legend, Grammy award winning musician, is the spokesperson for these efforts. Click here to watch a very short video featuring Legend on Facebook. Every time it is viewed, P&G will give $.25 to Communities in School, up to $10,000. I just clicked on it.

Go click on it now. Seriously. $.25 more invested to help keep children in school.