Thanks to you, I’ve got a whole list of possible projects to devote myself towards…

* gardening

* learning Spanish

* pottery

* photography

* playing the piano

* writing a book

* joining Facebook

* baking cakes

All amazing suggestions. Quite honestly, I’d love to choose all of them if I had more than one hand available during the day. (Note: I did notice that people seemed to suggest I do things that they wanted to do themselves. Hmmm…)

Most recently, two people independently suggested that I pray about what my ministry should be at this point in my life. So, I’ve been a-prayin’ and I have noticed that one noble aim seems to come to my mind over and over again. It’s a great, big, intimidating ministry, but I think I’m ready to make it official by telling you. Wanna know what it is? Drum roll please….

Well, actually, I don’t really want to tell you what it is because you will all be able to notice whether or not I’m doing it and I’m not sure I want that level of accountability… (You know, it’s like announcing I will lose 200 pounds; wouldn’t you secretly be checking me out to determine whether or not I’m living up to my lofty claim?) At the same time, I realize that if this is work that God does want me to do, He’ll give me strength to do it – despite the ups and downs that will come. So, I will tell you because I know that sharing things like this will help me to stick with it. (Besides, I roped you into this whole thing; you deserve to know the out-come, don’t ya think?)

SO, I’ve decided that with the dawning of my thirties, I’d like to learn how to be a fabulous, fun, thoughtful, supportive, “go! go! go!”, helpful wife.

Yup.

A good wife.

That’s what I really want to learn about at this point in my life. I’m convinced that, whether I choose to pursue it or not, it’s the biggest ministry God has provided for me to do.

How can I ignore the fact that I am the one little person in the whole universe – out of all time and space – that God has chosen to bring one certain Ryan-man great joy, honor, and help? No one else has the potential to promote and encourage him like I can. (Or discourage and destroy him, for that matter.) In fact, my decisions towards him are so powerful that they can influence the quality of his entire life. Crazy thoughts, but true.

“Being a good wife” is certainly not a popular ministry these days, but I have a hunch that, when it’s all said and done, it’s probably the most worth-while art I could pursue.

The game plan: I’ve already started a personal journal specifically about this adventure. I’ve written down the nitty-gritty of “how things are” today and will just jot down the changes I see in our lives each day as I ask God what He wants me to do to bless Ryan.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Proverbs 31: 10

(The fun bonus: so many of the things I wanted to do will happen because I’m learning little-by-little to be a good wife. Like, training for the Philadelphia Half Marathon together, playing music together more often, reading aloud, raising tomatoes, and plain-ole’ enjoying the incredible gift of our family. I’ll keep ya posted…)