Surrounded by the warmth of home, a well-steeped cup of tea, and the beauty of everyday moments, Chelsea embraces a life rooted in gratitude and purpose. As a writer, creative, and bonus mama, she finds joy in the simple things—cultivating a home, deep conversations, and the gentle rhythms of faith. In this conversation, Chelsea shares her reflections on answered prayers, loving others with intention, and what it truly means to trust God’s timing. Plus, a peek into her coziest essentials and the books she can’t put down!

Hello Chelsea! We are so happy to be having this chat with you. For those who might not know you, how would you describe yourself? What has made you, you?

Hi there! I am a wife – got married to the love of my life, Al, five years ago. And he brought his son, Reilly, into my life, so I also have the joy and honor of being a bonus mama!

I live in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – one of the loveliest places on earth if you ask me (…but I may be slightly biased). We live in my childhood home, which we purchased from my parents a few years ago. They still live on the property with us, and we are blessed to have a lot of our family in the area also.

By day, I have a career in marketing – but I have always had a lot of other personal creative outlets that bring even more meaning into my life than my 9-5 job. I love writing and photography and design, and creating a home and haven for our family. I am a tea-drinker, daydreamer, deep thinker, homebody. I also love plants, good food, and being in nature. I’m introverted but dearly love people and am so grateful to have amazing family, friends, and coworkers in my life who have helped shape me into who I am.

What would you from four years ago think about your life now?

I think she would be so joyful. I am currently living out things that were only just prayers 4-8 years ago—answered prayers about jobs, living situations, marriage, family, finances, dreams, and ideas. When I take a step back and remember all that, I feel such joy and gratitude.

And I think she would be so proud. I have been navigating anxiety for more than half my life. I think I have made more progress in the last 1-2 years than I made in the prior 15 years. I could never have imagined I would be in the healthy place I am now. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I think me from four years ago would shed some tears of joy and pride to see the heart transformation.

What is your practical advice for loving those around you? Especially when it might not be so simple?

I see such a difference in my relationship dynamics from when I was in my teenage years and early twenties … to now (my early thirties). As we get older, I think our outlook and approach to people naturally matures, and I’m thankful that so much of the relationship and friendship angst I felt when I was younger has dissipated. I’m enjoying being in a season of life when relationships feel so rich and meaningful.

But I think there will always be an element of learning to love people better … and specifically navigating how to love difficult people. This is my best piece of advice: die to self. There are going to be moments in life when you are tempted to get offended, or want to say something in retaliation, or maybe want to write someone off altogether. In those moments, I always feel the Lord prick my heart with this reminder: “Die to self and elevate this person above yourself.”

Trust that God will tend to the matters of your heart as you tend to loving the people around you, even when it’s hard and sometimes counterintuitive. Continuing to adopt this mindset in life has helped me to love people around me more wholeheartedly.

What is something about God’s character that you want more people to know (whether they are saved or not)?

One of the things that moves me most about the character of God is how He draws near to the brokenhearted. Personally, I have felt God’s presence so deeply and so intimately in my hardest, lowest moments. I think it’s absolutely breathtaking how God—glorious almighty God, creator of all things—chooses to tenderly meet us in our humblest, messiest, tear-soaked moments to comfort us and cover us with His love.

That is something beautiful about His character I want everyone to know—and hopefully experience one day too.

Do you agree that as Christians we must live each day with meaning and purpose? Please expand on what purposeful living means to you.

Yes! Every day is a precious gift from God and, by living each day with intentionality and gratitude, we give honor and glory back to Him.

I believe that God is always piecing together a greater story behind the scenes in our lives—and, more importantly, a master plan for His Kingdom. We’re always most eager to see how the big picture comes together. But it’s only in our day-to-day diligence—seeking Him, listening for His voice, and walking in it—that any of it can come to fruition.

Sometimes that feels mundane. We feel stuck in the slow parts of the story when we want to skip to the grand finale. But we need to be faithful in the small and mundane moments—giving our best to everything we put our hands to, being joyful, being thankful, being prayerful—trusting that the pieces of His story for our lives are coming together in the background, in His timing.

I always try to remind myself to be equal parts excited for what God has for the future while also being excited for and savoring the beauty of where He has me today.

What are three things that will always make you feel comfy & cozy?

I definitely feel my coziest at home in a space that feels safe and familiar and holds the people and memories I love most. But for me, the cherry on top is a cup of tea, low-lit lighting (with a candle burning or fireplace glow), a folksy playlist on in the background, and a warm blanket.

If you give me snowfall outside the window, I may spontaneously combust out of pure bliss.

Okay, I apologize, that was more than three—but I love all the cozy things!

And just for fun, what are your book recommendations for anyone, any genre, any topic? Books that you appreciate or love?

I am actually a bit of a thriller/true-crime junkie when it comes to books and movies. If you enjoy this genre, two books I have read recently and loved were A History of Wild Places and Flicker in the Dark.

It has been such a joy to chat with Chelsea and hear how God’s hand has shaped her journey. From navigating life’s challenges with faith to embracing creativity as an expression of His goodness, her story is a beautiful reflection of grace and purpose. Be sure to follow her on Instagram @chelsearomewrites for more of her heartfelt words and reflections. We can’t wait to see where her passion for writing and faith leads her next. Until next time!