It's all Anew at 70

I’m never too old to start something new… am I?

I’ve been thinking about that more lately. I turned 70 this past month—my “golden age,” they call it—and I’ve noticed a few changes along the way.

Some things just don’t come as easily as they once did.

There was a time I could spend all day in the kitchen, cooking from morning until supper without a second thought. These days, after four or five hours on my feet, I’m ready to sit down awhile.

And my flower gardens? Oh, I still love them dearly—but now I understand the wisdom of raised beds a whole lot better than I used to.

And then there’s my memory.

I’ll know exactly what I want to say… and somewhere between my mind and my mouth, the words wander off. I’m thankful Ken is close by—he’s gotten pretty good at filling in the blanks for me. There are moments, if I’m being honest, when I wonder… is this something more? But then I keep going, trusting the Lord with today and leaving tomorrow in His hands.

One thing that hasn’t left me is my love for writing.

My computer is never far away. Even with a little stiffness in these hands—my old companion “Arthur Ritis” likes to make himself known—I still find my way to the keyboard. I suppose I always will.

I’m still working on cookbooks, just in a slightly different way now. I may not be cooking all day, but I can still write, test a recipe here and there, and share what the Lord has given me over the years. Cooking, recipes, feeding people—it’s just part of who I am.

But as the seasons change, I’ve found something new to love.

Creating on paper.

Not just recipes anymore, but little things… meaningful things. I’ve begun designing stationery—greeting cards, notepads, bookmarks, recipe cards. Simple pieces that carry a bit of beauty and a bit of truth with them.

You can find these in my Etsy shops—PriscasPlace for my digital creations, and AquilaPark for printed pieces I prepare and send out myself.

And yes… those names are special to me.

PriscasPlace comes from Priscilla, and AquilaPark from Aquila—just like our ministry. It felt right to carry those names into this new season.

You see, ministry for us has never been about abundance in the world’s eyes. We live simply. We watch our pennies. And we’re grateful for every bit of it, because it allows us to stay where God has placed us—serving, building, and loving people one project at a time.

These little shops? They’ve become one way we help support that calling.

Every dollar of profit goes back into ministry—not just ours, but to help other construction missionaries continue the work God has given them. When the Lord provides, we try to pass that blessing along. That’s how the body of Christ works best, isn’t it? Each of us doing our small part.

And in all of it, I want to honor Him.

One of my favorite things to create right now is bookmarks.

Simple, beautiful bookmarks with Scripture on them. I like to leave them behind—on a restaurant table, tucked into a library book, slipped into one of those little neighborhood book boxes. Quiet little seeds, placed where someone might not expect them.

I may never know where they end up.

But I do know this—God’s Word never returns empty.

Out of that simple idea came something new I’d love to share with you.

I’m calling it “The Bookmark Club.”

It’s really just a small way to be part of something bigger.

Each month, I send out four bookmarks—Scripture-filled, thoughtfully designed, ready to be used however the Lord leads. You might tuck one into a card, pass one to a friend, leave one behind somewhere, or keep them close for your own quiet time and Scripture memory.

And alongside that, it becomes a way to support the work we’re doing.

For those who choose to join, a $10 monthly gift helps us stay on the road, continue building, and support others doing the same kind of ministry. It’s not about obligation—it’s simply an invitation to be part of the planting.

Because that’s what we are, after all.

Seed planters.

If this is something the Lord nudges your heart toward, you’re welcome to reach out to me at constructionmissionaries@gmail.com, and I’ll share the details with you.

And if not, that’s alright too.

You can always visit PriscasPlace or AquilaPark, and know that every small purchase still plays a part in the larger work God is doing through our hands.

Thank you for walking alongside us.

It means more than I can say.