Chelsea Patterson Sobolik https://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/ On Faith and Life Fri, 01 Jan 2021 16:16:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-Screen-Shot-2017-03-19-at-1.57.56-PM.png?fit=32%2C32 Chelsea Patterson Sobolik https://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/ 32 32 65609198 A Prayer for 2021 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/a-prayer-for-2021/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-prayer-for-2021 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/a-prayer-for-2021/#respond Fri, 01 Jan 2021 16:06:30 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=2101 For many of us, 2020 was one of the hardest years we’ve experienced, as Covid-19 swiftly changes most aspects of our lives. We’ve experienced loss in our nation, our communities, our churches and our homes. We mourned the loss of...

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For many of us, 2020 was one of the hardest years we’ve experienced, as Covid-19 swiftly changes most aspects of our lives. We’ve experienced loss in our nation, our communities, our churches and our homes. We mourned the loss of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and far too many other African-American who were killed by police. We walked through an exhausting and tumultuous election season.  As we enter a new year, it can be tempting to think that a fresh year means that things will go back to “normal”, and our pain will ease up. But the new year will likely hold just as many uncertainties as the previous one. Even so, the Lord remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Below is a sample prayer for personal reflection, families, and churches to use:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of this new day and new year. Thank you for sustaining us through 2020. Your word tells us that your mercies are new every morning, and we are deeply grateful. But we admit that many of us are entering this new year weary and exhausted. Would you lead us beside still waters and restore our souls?

Lord, our hearts are deeply grieved over the losses we’ve walked through this year – the loved ones who have passed away, the jobs that disappeared, the dwindling bank accounts, the interrupted school schedules, the deferred dreams and plans, the loneliness we experienced, and the reality that looked much different from our expectations. Our hearts cry “How long, O LORD?”. Bind up our broken hearts with your presence. Spirit, when we are weak and don’t know what or how to prayer, would you intercede for us?

Father, remind us of what we know to be true – you’ve set your steadfast love upon us, you promise to be our refuge and strength, our rock and our stronghold. You hear the needy, and we feel so very needy right now. This year took us by surprise, but it didn’t surprise you because you are sovereign and you have the whole word in your hands. 

We ask for a renewed commitment to grow in Godliness and grace. Help us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Teach us how to count everything as loss, because of the surpassing worth of knowing you. Give us a greater love for one another. In the midst of global and national unrest, may your children be marked by an extraordinary love for one another, the lost and the vulnerable. Help us to boldly proclaim your gospel. Would you bring many into a saving knowledge of you?

Your word tells us that our times are in your hands, and you daily bear us up. Teach us to cast all of our burdens and cares upon you. We don’t know what this new year will bring, or how many days we have left on this earth, but we entrust each moment to you. 

Lord, we know that one day you will come and make all things new, and we eagerly await the day when you will bring us home and wipe away every tear. Thank you for your promises and your presence. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Adoption FAQ http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/our-international-adoption-journey-from-india/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=our-international-adoption-journey-from-india http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/our-international-adoption-journey-from-india/#respond Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:20:35 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=2047 November is National Adoption Month, and I thought I’d pull together a post answering some questions about our adoption journey. While we’re thrilled to build our family through adoption, we recognize that this journey is bittersweet, because loss is involved....

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November is National Adoption Month, and I thought I’d pull together a post answering some questions about our adoption journey.

While we’re thrilled to build our family through adoption, we recognize that this journey is bittersweet, because loss is involved. Adoption exists, because brokenness exists. We know that the little one we’ll one day call ours will come from loss, and we want to equip ourselves well to care for him or her.

Michael and I entered our marriage knowing that we’d build our family through adoption because my body is unable to bear babies. As we’ve worked through the pain and loss, we’ve felt the Lord’s strength and tender care for us. He promises never to leave or forsake us, and we’ve clung to that truth for dear life. ⁣

Almost thirty years ago, I was adopted from overseas. I grew up with five adopted siblings, and have spent years advocating and advancing child welfare policy in Washington, D.C. Adoption has been my heartbeat for years, and now, the Lord is calling me and Michael to step into adoption together. We’re pursuing international adoption – India, to be specific. Only God could take this adoptee from overseas, and invite her to become “Mommy” to a little one from another country.⁣
⁣⁣
While we have many unanswered questions, fears, and needs, we’re trusting the Lord and stepping out in faith. Our deepest prayer is that the Lord would be glorified and honored in this process.⁣

Adoption FAQ’s

When did you decide to pursue adoption?

The short answer – April. 

The longer answer – Michael and I knew before we got married that we’d build our family through adoption. When I was 19, I found out that I was born with a medical condition that prevents me from bearing biological children. I wrote all about that in my book, Longing for Motherhood. While we were dating, we discussed building our family through adoption and entered marriage knowing we’d one day begin that process. We recently celebrated three years of marriage, and haven’t been in a hurry to begin the adoption process.

One evening, early in the midst of lockdown, Michael and I were on a walk and I threw out the idea of beginning the paperwork since we had some extra time on our hands. My thought process was that even if we weren’t actually ready to start the process, we could at least work on some paperwork. Michael said he’d think about it and let me know. A few weeks later, we were on another walk and he told me that he was actually ready to officially start the process!!! On that walk, we talked and talked about the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead and began to dream about what it would look like for us!

What’s the timeline?

Likely two to three years. Our agency has told us that for some couples, certain stages of the process could take a few days (not common, but still happens) or over a year. So, we really don’t know what our timeline will end up being!

Which agency are we using?

We’re using Lifeline Children’s Services! It was important to us to partner with a Christian agency. Adoption is an intense and intimate process, and we wanted to work with fellow believers to bring our little one home.

Why did we choose international adoption?

When we decided to begin the adoption process, we hadn’t chosen which option to pursue. (Adoption from foster care, domestic adoption or international.) We talked with others who had adopted, and spent a lot of time in prayer. Ultimately, we felt the Lord leading us towards international adoption. There are children all over our nation and all over the world that need safe, permanent, and loving homes. International adoption has been sharply declining in recent years for a number of reasons, but the reality remains that for some children in developing countries, their only opportunity for a family is international adoption.

If you’re interested in reading more about the importance of intercountry adoption, I wrote an article “Why Intercountry Adoption Must Remain a Viable Option”

Where are we adopting from?

Every country has different requirements – age, length of marriage, age of children available for adoption, and length of stay in-country. One of the biggest factors for us was how long we had to stay in the country when we went to finalize our adoption. Some countries required up to 12 weeks, and that would have been extremely difficult for us. India and China only require two weeks in-country and based on some of our professional work, we wouldn’t feel safe adopting from China. Michael has been to India before, but picking up our child will be my first time. We’d love to adopt twins or siblings!!!

Below are some facts about India:

  • The second most populous nation in the world.
  • The country with the largest worldwide population of orphans and children living on the streets.
  • The country with the most unreached people groups of any other country in the world.
  • A nation with one of the largest populations of abandoned children due to gender or special needs.

How can we support you?

Prayer!

We would deeply appreciate you parntering with us in prayer. Below are a few ways to pray:

Pray that vulnerable children would find safe, loving and permanent homes.

Pray for our marriage to remain strong during this process, and that we would maintain a deep trust in the Lord.

Pray for the Lord to be glorified through our adoption process.

Pray for our future little one (or little ones!)

Financial support.

If you feel lead, we would welcome financial support. We’re working on creating a tax-deductible crowdfunding opportunity, so stay tuned! 🙂

The Gospel is not a picture of adoption, adoption is a picture of the Gospel.

~ John Piper

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Steadfast Love in the Psalms http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/steadfast-love-in-the-psalms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=steadfast-love-in-the-psalms http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/steadfast-love-in-the-psalms/#respond Wed, 01 Apr 2020 12:57:08 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1957 One of my favorite places to turn when I’m feeling scared, anxious or sad is the book of Psalms. I’ve been feeling all of those emotions (and more) over the past few weeks, as we adjust to life in the midst of...

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One of my favorite places to turn when I’m feeling scared, anxious or sad is the book of Psalms. I’ve been feeling all of those emotions (and more) over the past few weeks, as we adjust to life in the midst of this global pandemic. And I know I’m not the only one feeling those things.

Each month, I read through the book of Psalms. In an effort to slow down, I’ve created little challenges for myself and will search out every verse with a certain characteristic of God, or a certain word or phrase.⁣  This practice makes me more attentive and alert to the text, instead of going through the motions.⁣

In April, I’m going to be writing down every mention of the phrase “steadfast love”. I’ve done this before and it was extraordinarily beneficial for my soul, as I was reminded of how deeply loved I am, and how many reminders of God’s character I found in Scripture.⁣⁣ I think we could all use some encouragement and hope. As God’s children, it’s so helpful to meditate upon who God is, and the promises He’s made to us.

When the world seems to be falling apart, we can rest in God’s sure and steady love for us. 


Psalms Reading Challenge:

1. Read 5 Psalms a day⁣

2. Write down every verse containing “steadfast love”⁣

3. Meditate on God’s steadfast and enduring love for His children. ⁣

A Few Notes:

  • The last time I did this, I wrote down the verses in an Evernote document. This time, I’m going to handwrite the verses in a journal.
  • I use the ESV translation. Sometimes after I read the verses in my physical Bible, I’ll listen to them. It helps me pick up on things I might not pick up if I’m just reading with my eyes.
  • If you join me and share on social media, use the hashtag #SteadfastLoveinThePsalms, so we can all join in together!
  • I created a graphic you can share on social media.

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Encouragement in the Midst of Coronavirus http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/encouragement-in-the-midst-of-coronavirus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=encouragement-in-the-midst-of-coronavirus http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/encouragement-in-the-midst-of-coronavirus/#respond Fri, 27 Mar 2020 15:50:41 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1922 I’ve been hesitant to write anything regarding the coronavirus. Frankly, I’ve felt oversaturated and overwhelmed. Right now, life feels so unusual and upended. I’ve been prone to anxiety and have been actively fighting an anxious heart and feelings of discontentment, and...

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I’ve been hesitant to write anything regarding the coronavirus. Frankly, I’ve felt oversaturated and overwhelmed. Right now, life feels so unusual and upended. I’ve been prone to anxiety and have been actively fighting an anxious heart and feelings of discontentment, and I imagine I’m not the only one feeling those things.

COVID-19 has revealed that any semblance of control I thought I had, is just that – an illusion. When life feels steady and “normal”, it can be easy to think we have more control than we actually do.

One of the things that’s caused many of us anxiety is the fear of the unknown:

How much longer will this go on?

How much worse will it get, before it begins to get better?

What will life look like on this other side of this?

For many of us, the Lord is pulling back the curtain and showing us something that’s been true all along – we’ve never really been in control.I’ve been comforted by reminders of God’s character, that He is, in fact, sovereign and in control, that He can be trusted completely, and we aren’t alone in the midst of this global pandemic. Whenever I’ve gotten anxious, I’ve paused and prayed that the Lord would build my trust in Him, and that I’d grow to look more like Him, in this midst of this unsteady moment. 

“For Those Flooded by Too Much Information” Liturgy

This prayer puts words to what I’ve been feeling. Below are a few of my favorite experts from it:

“But you, O Jesus, are not disquieted by such news of cruelty and terror and war. You are neither anxious nor overwhelmed. You carried the full weight of the suffering of a broken world when you hung upon the cross, and you carry it still.”

“Give us discernment in the face of troubling news reports. Give us discernment to know when to pray, when to speak out, when to act, and when to simply shut off our screens and our devices, and to sit quietly in your presence, casting the burdens of this world upon the strong shoulders of the one who alone is able to bear them up.”

You can read the entire liturgy here.

Scripture to Meditate Upon:

“In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1

“Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you” – Psalm 33:20-22

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my rests rock, my refugee is God.” – Psalm 62:5-7

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up.” – Psalm 68:19

“In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” – Psalm 86:7

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The Spiritual Impact of Journaling http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/the-spiritual-impact-of-journaling/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-spiritual-impact-of-journaling http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/the-spiritual-impact-of-journaling/#comments Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:07:12 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1852 This morning, I finished a journal. It’s always bittersweet to write the last page of a journal. For the past year and a half, my journal has felt like a familiar friend, a place where I return to have conversations,...

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This morning, I finished a journal. It’s always bittersweet to write the last page of a journal. For the past year and a half, my journal has felt like a familiar friend, a place where I return to have conversations, process feelings and savor sweet memories. Of course, I’ve got a brand new journal waiting, but it will take some time to get acquainted.

Journaling isn’t for everyone. The Lord created each of us with different personalities and temperaments, and I don’t expect that what helps me fully flourish, will help everyone. But I have seen some impactful spiritual benefits of journaling in my personal life, and I thought it would be beneficial to share.

How I Approach Journaling

Before I dive into the benefits, I thought it might be helpful to share how I personally approach journaling.

First, I’m pretty picky about the type of journal I use. For the past few years, I’ve used a softback black Moleskin, and absolutely love it!

Some people like to work through a journaling prompt or go through a specific set of questions. There’s certainly a place for that, but that’s not how I personally approach journaling. My approach is almost more like a stream of consciousness. I’ll usually start off by journaling the events of my day, and that will lead to how I’m feeling about certain things. I’ll often write out quotes or Scripture that I’m enjoying, meditating upon, and want to remember. If I’m working through a particularly challenging problem, or set of emotions, I’ll usually end that entry with a prayer, asking the Lord to give me trust, wisdom, and strength. Typically, I’ll journal three or four times a week. Some entries are just a few sentences, while others are several pages long, but this regular practice is extremely helpful for my heart.

Spiritual Benefits of Journaling:

Journaling is an act of remembrance.

In the pages, I collect the stories, feelings, and events of my life and process them. I’m able to look back and remember

  • Remember the Lord’s faithfulness
  • Remember the Lord’s kindness
  • Remember that I am loved and cherished
  • Remember that I’m not alone, forgotten or forsaken

I’m prone to forgetfulness, and prone to question God’s faithfulness to me. When I’m tempted to question God, I go back and remember the Lord’s character, and how He’s been intimately involved in every detail of my life.

This quote from Charles Spurgeon captures this sentiment well.

“The phrase “till now” is like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years of seventy, and still “till now the Lord has helped us.” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honor, in dishonor, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, “till now the Lord has helped us.”

Journaling is an act of becoming.

I’m not who I once was – praise God! I can look back and see the many ways I’ve grown and changed. Journaling forces me to slow down, and give time and thought to the type of woman I want to become. I pause and ponder the ways I want to structure my life, love others deeply and glorify the Lord. I shared these words recently, but they were born from the pages of my journal about the type of woman I want to become.

I want to focus more on who I’m becoming, more than on what I’m accomplishing. It’s all too easy for me to whip up a list of goals and set about trying to accomplish them. I want to be a woman who loves Jesus deeper. I want to mine the Bible for treasures and truths and hide them in my heart. I want to give the gift of my presence and my attention. I can’t love people, truly love well when I’m rushed, hurried, stressed or exhausted. I want a life that’s deeper, more intentional and less rushed.

Hopefully, this has inspired you to pick up a journal and use it as an instrument of flourishing.

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Books I Read in 2019 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/books-i-read-in-2019/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=books-i-read-in-2019 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/books-i-read-in-2019/#comments Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:43:29 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1685 This is one of my favorite posts to write all year. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, and I enjoy tracking the books I read and getting to share with y’all. (Check out the books I read last year)...

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This is one of my favorite posts to write all year. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, and I enjoy tracking the books I read and getting to share with y’all. (Check out the books I read last year)

Some of the books I read this year were for spiritual formation, others were for personal development, and others were for sheer pleasure. I read more fiction than I have in years past, but next year, I’d like to incorporate even more.

I truly did thoroughly enjoy most of the books I read this year, and it’s nearly impossible for me to list my top three. But these three have deeply impacted my life and have stayed with me, long after I finished the last page. In my humble opinion, they are worth you time.

Top Three –

  1. The Righteous Mind – Jonathan Haidt
  2. What is a Girl Worth? – Rachel Denhollander
  3. The Common Rule – Justin Whitmel Earley

Honorable Mentions –

  1. The Aquariums of Pyongyang – Kang Chol-Hwan
  2. God’s Grace in Your Suffering –  David Powlison
  3. Educated – Tara Westover

Books I Read in 2019: (in the order I read them)

  1. The Bruised Reed – Richard Sibbes
  2. Where The Crawdads Sing –  Delia Owens
  3. The Terrible Speed of Mercy – A Spiritual Biography of Flannery O’Connor – Jonathan Rogers
  4. The Promises of God – Discovering the One Who Keeps His World – RC Sproul
  5. The Coddling of the American Mind – Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt (Audible)
  6. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
  7. Welcoming the Stranger – Matthew Soerens & Jenny Yang
  8. Educated – Tara Westover
  9. High-Performance Habits – Brendon Burchard (Audible)
  10. Small Great Things – Jodi Picoult
  11. Digital Minimalism – Cal Newport
  12. The Righteous Mind – Jonathan Haidt
  13. How the Nations Rage – Jonathan Leeman
  14. Disruptive Witness – Alan Noble
  15. Automatic Habits – James Clear
  16. Becoming – Michelle Obama
  17. God’s Grace in Your Suffering –  David Powlison
  18. The Aquariums of Pyongyang – Kang Chol-Hwan
  19. The Last Girl – Nadia Murad
  20. Suffering Is Never for Nothing – Elisabeth Elliot
  21. The Second Mountain – David Brooks
  22. Dead Wake – Eric Larson
  23. The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism – Carl F. Henry
  24. The Tattooist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris
  25. What is a Girl Worth? – Rachel Denhollander
  26. The Common Rule – Justin Whitmel Earley
  27. His Testimonies, My Heritage – Multiple Contributors
  28. From Red Earth – Denise Uwimana
  29. Hermanas – Multiple Contributors
  30. To Hell with the Hustle – Jefferson Bethke
  31. Drop the Ball – Tiffany Dufu (Audible)
  32. The Great Alone – Kristin Hannah
  33. Made for Friendship – Drew Hunter
  34. With All Due Respect – Nikki Haley (Audible)
  35. The Soul of Shame – Curt Thompson
  36. Talking to Strangers – Malcolm Gladwell (Audible)

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Reflections on 2019 + My Focus for 2020 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/reflections-on-2019-my-focus-for-2020/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=reflections-on-2019-my-focus-for-2020 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/reflections-on-2019-my-focus-for-2020/#comments Tue, 31 Dec 2019 15:32:52 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1728 I adore the week between Christmas and the new year. I love the quiet days, I love the extra time to tidy and organize our home. I love tackling a few projects that I’ve been putting off. I love time...

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I adore the week between Christmas and the new year. I love the quiet days, I love the extra time to tidy and organize our home. I love tackling a few projects that I’ve been putting off. I love time to read. I love time to rest. I love time to reflect upon the previous year and prepare for the upcoming year.

Today, I thought I’d share a reflection on the past year. (And let’s be real, it’s been a hot second since I’ve written anything on my blog.)

In many ways, 2019 felt like a recovery year, especially in comparison to the previous year. In 2018, I had three different jobs throughout the year, my first book, Longing for Motherhood was released, and Michael and I were in the midst of our first year of marriage. Needless to say, it was a lot. This year, there weren’t nearly as many significant life transitions. But in some ways, I think my soul finally had time to process what I’d experienced the year before, and I found myself exhausted.

Below are a few reflections on the past year, and where I hope to go next year.

1. Struggles with Rest

Recently, I read over my journal from last year, and the biggest thing I noticed was how exhausted I always seemed to be. I fought hard for rest, but ceasing work and actually resting is so difficult for me. I’m an Enneagram 3 (the achiever) and take deep satisfaction in work. But boy, oh boy do I struggle with rest.

In the past year, I’ve tried to be more intentional about Sabbath and technology boundaries. I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded, but I’m trying. The Lord is teaching me that Sabbath and rest are good gifts for His people to enjoy. The Lord is teaching me to slow down and to savor what I’ve been entrusted with.

A few weeks ago, I purchased an old school alarm clock (here’s the one I got), and I’ve chosen not to use my phone the first thing in the morning. I’m planning to dive deeper into this topic later, but I highly suggest grabbing an alarm clock, and not using it until you’ve spent time with the Lord. This one practice has had enormous benefits on my ability to rest.

Ways I’m learning to rest:

  • Technology boundaries!
    • No phone first thing in the morning
    • Take a month off social media every year
  • Quieting my spirit
  • Reading books for sheer pleasure, instead of gobbling them up to feel accomplished
  • Going for walks outside

2. Writing

A lot of my writing this year was professional. I’m so grateful to hone that particular skill, and I’ve written quite a bit about the injustices I see and feel:

I noticed that I haven’t written many personal pieces this year. If I’m honest, the part of me that loves writing felt dull this year. I don’t want to write off of fumes and former things I’ve learned. I want my writing to be fresh, insightful and beautiful.

I want my writing to be a signpost, pointing to something bigger and greater than myself, to spur people to action and to get involved in something bigger than themselves, but to ultimately point to someone bigger and grander.

To the King.

Next year, I want to begin writing again. There are so many things I want to say and stories I want to tell.

3. The Lord’s Faithfulness

The words of one of my favorite hymns have often been on my lips this year – Great is thy faithfulness.

In the times when I’ve felt tired and weak, when I’ve felt like I’ve failed, or let people down, the Lord has been faithful.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

What I Want To Focus on Next Year

I want to focus more on who I’m becoming, more than on what I’m accomplishing. It’s all too easy for me to whip up a list of goals and set about trying to accomplish them. But I’ve learned that that’s not the healthiest way for me to behave.

I want to be a woman who loves Jesus deeper. I want to mine the Bible for treasures and truths and hide them in my heart. I want to give the gift of my presence and my attention. I can’t love people, truly love well when I’m rushed, hurried, stressed or exhausted. I want a life that’s deeper, more intentional and less rushed.

This year, I have some goals (goals aren’t bad, but they can’t be my driving force), but I want to slow down and focus on faithfulness, stewarding what I have well, and creating rhythms that are lifegiving, purposeful and impactful.

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How To Make Time to Read http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/how-to-make-time-to-read/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-make-time-to-read http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/how-to-make-time-to-read/#respond Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:10:25 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1687 Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and has been for as long as I can remember. I have fond memories from my childhood of staying up into the wee hours of the night, devouring books. My mom read aloud...

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Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and has been for as long as I can remember. I have fond memories from my childhood of staying up into the wee hours of the night, devouring books. My mom read aloud to us as children and did an excellent job instilling a love of reading into me.

I wanted to share some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to help build reading into my regular rhythms. (If you need some reading recommendations, here are the books I read in 2018) This year, I’m on track to read 36 books and will share those in a few weeks!

Before we dive in, I thought I’d share some of my favorite quotes about reading!

  • “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis
  • “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling
  • “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” – C.S. Lewis
  • “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” – Victor Hugo

I hope you find these suggestions helpful!

1. Develop a rhythm of reading

If you want reading to be a regular part of your life, you need to make it a priority. Duh, right?! But seriously, block off time on your schedule and develop the habit of regularly reaching for a book, instead of defaulting to reaching for your phone or the TV remote.

Below are a few suggestions for habit building:

  • Read in the morning before you get ready for the day.
  • Read before bedtime.
  • Read 10 pages a day.
  • Set a timer and read for a certain amount of time without touching your phone.

Personally, I read a few pages of a book in the morning after my quiet time, and read before bed at night a few times a week.

2. Always carry a book

I always carry a book with me, and whenever I have a few spare minutes, I’ll whip out a book and read a few pages. A few pages here and there really add up. Try it for a week. You’d be surprised how often you’ll be able to read.

Quick note – I’m selective about the book I carry with me. I try to aim for one that’s easy to pick up and jump into without taking a ton of time to reorient yourself back into the book. I recommend a biography or a personal development type of book.

3. Read books that are interesting

Life is too short to read books that don’t capture your attention. If a book just isn’t capturing your attention, quit the book. Your time is precious, and you shouldn’t waste it on bad books. Give yourself permission to quit books.

4. Use the Library!

Y’all – I’m such a fan of the library! I love it for checking out novels, and books I know I likely won’t reread. Also, if you haven’t heard of the app “OverDrive“, you’re missing out! OverDrive is your local public library’s free access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks.

5. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”

How often have you started doing a task, only to be interrupted 5 minutes later with a notification on your phone? I’ve been there more times than I can tell you. That’s why I regularly use the “do not disturb” feature on my phone. Or better yet, put your phone in the other room so you’re not even tempted to pick it up.

Sometimes it takes me a while to get into a book, but it’s easier if I’m not constantly distracted by my phone. You’d be surprised how much you can read if your focus is entirely engrossed in the bok.

6. “Read” on your commute

Halfway through this year, I decided to purchase an Audible subscription, and I’ve loved it! Often times, I’ll pop on an audiobook and listen on my commute. A few other creative ways I’ll find time to “listen” to books is while I’m cleaning, folding laundry, cleaning out my inbox, etc. (I don’t usually listen to anything while I’m walking outside. I like to be able to fully engage in nature when I’m outside.) Audible is $15 a month, but well worth the investment.

7. Consider The Season

Reading looks different in different seasons, and that’s completely okay! If you’re a mom of small children, chances are it’s going to be a lot more difficult to find time to read. Give yourself grace, and don’t compare your reading pace with someone else’s. I’m currently in a season of life that allows me to read more, but I know that it won’t always be this way.

All of these suggestions are just that – suggestions. Reading is a pleasure and a privilege, and I want to equip to you to deeply enjoy it. Take these suggestions and put your own personal spin on them.

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Three Ways Christians Can Get Involved In Pro-Life Work http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/three-ways-christians-can-get-involved-in-pro-life-work/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=three-ways-christians-can-get-involved-in-pro-life-work http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/three-ways-christians-can-get-involved-in-pro-life-work/#respond Tue, 26 Feb 2019 12:57:09 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1525 Last night, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, sponsored by Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE). This important piece of legislation that would protect babies that are born alive from a failed abortion attempt. Current federal...

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Last night, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, sponsored by Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE). This important piece of legislation that would protect babies that are born alive from a failed abortion attempt. Current federal law does not adequately protect those precious babies.

The issue of abortion is one that every Christian must care about – it’s a matter of life and death, and most importantly, it’s a matter that’s close to the heart of God. Our Father cares about the vulnerable, and so must we. Every day, there are an estimated 3,000 abortions that take place in the United States. Allow that number to sink in.

Woven into the fabric of Scripture is the truth that every person bears the imago dei – the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) The Bible clearly teaches that life begins at conception, and that God is intimately involved in a person’s life, beginning with conception.

Listen to the intimacy in these verses –

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16

The tenderness that God has for every single precious life that’s conceive is tangible in those verses, and should propel our desire to defend and protect life. As Christians, we have the privilege of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. God’s heart beats for the vulnerable, and our work on earth should reflect what He cares about.

Below are a few suggestions for how every Christian can practically get involved in caring for the vulnerable.

1. Develop a Robust Pro-life Ethic

The first thing that comes to mind when pro-life issues are highlighted is an opposition to abortion. It’s important to understand that being developing a robust pro-life worldview is imperative. Only then will our work in other areas be seasoned with an understanding that everyone is created with innate dignity and worth. That worldview will revolutionize how we think about almost every other issue.

Below are a few categories I’d challenge Christians to incorporate a robust
pro-life ethic.

Children in foster care

Victims of human trafficking

Prisoners  

People with disabilities

Refugees

Immigrants

2. Advocate

Government is a God-ordained institution, and Christians should care about the types of policies that the federal, state and local governments are producing. Western Christians have an incredible opportunity to get involved in advocating the government. We should avail ourselves of advocacy, because the most vulnerable among us, are the ones whose right are quickest to be taken away.

Advocacy doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult. Reach out to your local Congressman’s district office and ask for a meeting with a staffer. Familiarize yourself with current pro-life legislation at the state and federal level. When you’re meeting with a government official or staffer, share why you’re pro-life, why it matters that they vote for pro-life policies, and piece of legislation you hope they’ll support. Don’t be afraid to share a personal story.

Remember that professionalism matters. How you choose to present yourself can either enhance or distract from the message. Aim to present yourself in a manner that represents you and your message well.

3. Pray

In of our efforts, may we not forget where our true strength and power lies – in regular pray with our Father. A part of our advocacy must be to lift up the unborn, the marginalized, and the vulnerable up in prayer. Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation was infamous for the high value he placed on prayer.

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

Brothers and sisters, may we be a people of prayer. May we commit to lifting up the vulnerable before our loving Father.

Pray for the unborn children.

Pray for women who are faced with difficult decisions.

Pray for the marginalized and the oppressed.

Pray for our legislators and lawmakers, that they will create and uphold pro-life policies.

Pray that the Church will be love and serve.

Christ changes everything, including how we view life. Resolve to educate yourself, advocate, and pray for the vulnerable people.

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My Adoption Story http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/my-adoption-story/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-adoption-story http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/my-adoption-story/#respond Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:47:33 +0000 http://www.chelseapattersonsobolik.com/?p=1493 Today is my Adoption Day! Each year, my family and I celebrate what the Lord has done in our family, and how He’s woven us together. Of course there have been bumps along the way, but the Lord’s hand is...

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Today is my Adoption Day! Each year, my family and I celebrate what the Lord has done in our family, and how He’s woven us together. Of course there have been bumps along the way, but the Lord’s hand is evident throughout our story!

I thought I’d share a little bit of my adoption story (If you’ve read Longing for Motherhood, this is the introduction to my book!)

My adoptive parents had the privilege of meeting the teenage girl who brought me into the world. Over the years, they told me stories about her sitting in a cold apartment in Romania, holding me as tears fell down her cheeks and knowing that she’d never be able to be my mother . . . knowing that she was about to give up her daughter and—at least for that time in her life—her motherhood.

My story begins in that former communist nation in the capital city of Bucharest. Romania was under the rule of one of the cruelest dictators in Eastern Europe, Nicolae Ceaușescu. He held the beautiful country in a proverbial iron grip for almost a quarter of a century. Under his dictatorship, the people of Romania suffered greatly beneath the restrictions of rationed food, constant surveillance, and persecution and imprisonment.

In an effort to compete with the Soviet Union’s population, Ceaușescu devised a plan to increase Romania’s population from 23 million to 30 million by 2000. In 1966 he enacted a decree that essentially made pregnancy a state policy and proclaimed that the “fetus is the property of the entire society” and that anyone who avoided having children would be deemed “a deserter who abandons the laws of national continuity.” Women under the age of forty-five were routinely brought in by authorities for check-ups, and if they hadn’t become pregnant within a certain time frame, they’d be subject to a “celibacy tax.”

A result of this cruel policy—a consequence that lasted far beyond Ceaușescu’s death by execution in 1989—was that women were forced to have children they couldn’t take care of, leaving half a million children as wards of the state. Parents abandoned their children by the droves, because they didn’t have the financial or material resources to take care of them. The majority of children placed in communist orphanages weren’t actual orphans; they were simply children whose parents were unable to care for them. Such orphanages were known as the “slaughterhouses of souls.”

Although I was spared such a place, I was one of those babies whose mother couldn’t afford to keep her child. My birth mother was a nineteen-year-old girl with no money, no husband, and limited resources. Her decision to place me up for adoption wasn’t an easy one. It rarely is an easy decision for a woman to give up her child. My birth mom longed for motherhood, but instead she had to choose childlessness.

Bobby and Christie Patterson were the two people God ordained to become my parents. They were in their late thirties and had lived a full life in the fifteen years they’d been married. Their love for adventure took them all over the world, including West Africa where they spent a year helping to build a church.

When my parents got married in their early twenties, they didn’t want children. But as the years went on, they discovered a desire to have children. But children didn’t come. They walked through year after year of trying to conceive and explored different treatments that didn’t seem to help. Finally, my mom conceived, but a few short months later, she miscarried. They were back to square one.

In 1990, right after my father had started his own architectural firm, my parents found their longing for parenthood intensifying, and they also found themselves in the middle of an excruciatingly long domestic adoption process. During that time, they had conversations with several couples who were also considering international adoption. Finding friends in a similar stage of life and walking toward the same goal made them feel like they weren’t alone. One night, a call came seemingly out of the blue from my dad’s business partner who told him a 20/20 documentary called “Shame of a Nation” about the Romanian orphans was airing that Sunday evening and that they should watch it. My dad almost dismissed it until my mom’s sister called and suggested the very same thing. They decided to watch the documentary and invited their friends over to join them. That evening, they turned on the TV not knowing that one hour would forever change their lives.

They learned that soon after Ceaușescu was executed in a revolution on Christmas Day in 1989, the Western world quickly arrived in Romania. What they found were thousands of children existing in horrible state-run institutions. The documentary introduced the world—and Bobby and Christie Patterson—to these children, struggling to survive. In the days following, my parents prayed about what they’d just witnessed. Starving children. Disabled children. Children who had experienced massive amounts of trauma. My parents asked themselves, “Is this our chance to become parents?” The Lord had begun to place a desire on their hearts to travel to Romania to adopt. Five weeks later, they were on a plane with their friends, bound for the adventure of a lifetime.

One of their deepest prayers while they were in Romania was that the Lord would intentionally guide them to the children He wanted them to adopt. It seemed like an almost impossible prayer. There were so many needy children; would the Lord really direct them to the ones He’d ordained for them? Through a series of events, several Romanians stepped up and began helping my parents with the adoption process. They visited several orphanages, but also had the chance to visit some birth mothers who were planning on placing their children in an institution.

Several times, my parents met various children but didn’t sense a peace about adopting any of them. There were other American couples in Romania hoping to adopt, and the process seemed quicker and easier for them than for my parents. My mom recounts going back to the dingy, cold apartment where they were staying and crying out to the Lord, “Have you brought me all this way, only to leave me without a child? It’s not fair!” Even in the midst of the pain of so many other mothers and children, my mother was overwhelmed by the pain of her own longing.

A few days later, the Holy Spirit directed Bobby and Christie to my birth mother and to me. Before I was even handed to my parents, my mom said she knew that I was going to be her daughter. Immediately they began the necessary paperwork to legally adopt me. Since Romania had just recently broken free of its Communist leader, the government was still accustomed to working on a bribery system. My parents quickly learned that if they wanted to leave the country anytime soon, they’d have to pay extra cash so it would take weeks instead of months to process paperwork. Finally, after five weeks, they purchased plane tickets home to North Carolina. In addition to finding and adopting me, they also adopted a little boy, eleven days older than I was.

My dear birth mother, with tears streaming down her cheeks, came to hold me one last time and say goodbye before my parents boarded the plane and headed back to the United States.

My parents went on to adopt four more children. Because the adoption laws changed in Romania, and foreigners were no longer allowed to adopt Romanian children, my parents went to other countries, and over the years, adopted a boy and three more girls, making the Patterson family complete. While the beginning of my story started off rocky in the world’s eyes, my heavenly Father was quietly and tenderly preparing me for things to come. Little did anyone know that the baby girl adopted from Romania would one day learn that she could never have babies of her own.

I’ve discovered that what, at first, may look like a legacy of childlessness, the God of hope means for good.

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