I feel a bit like that beat-up truck your neighbor keeps in his driveway. You know the one…It’s been sitting there for months and then one day, he decides it’s time to take old Sally out for a ride again. So he puts the key in the ignition and the poor truck sputters and chokes before it finally turns over. Then he backs ‘er out to much wailing and gnashing of gears, only to have the back bumper fall off in the street.
Hopefully my bumper won’t fall off in the blogosphere, but I’d like to think I have good reasons for my rustiness. My house has gone from normalcy to chaos and back to normalcy again with the wave that was my sister’s heart transplant. She’s officially moved back home after a 2-week stay at the hospital and then a 4-week stay at my house. It’s hard to put into words the range of emotions I’ve felt (although my husband could probably define them for you in one word – crazy!). 
I’ll spare you all the details but will just say this…The Lord is good. Whether we’re in a high or low point in life, He knows exactly what we need in each moment and provides it. Makes it kind of hard to despise the Guy, ya know?
So without further ado, here’s my month (or two months) in 200 words or less. And no, the paragraphs before this one do NOT count. 
TV Choice: Jake and the Neverland Pirates for my son. Amazing Race for me.
Book Choice: Rhyming Dust Bunnies for my son. The Rhythm of Secrets by Patti Lacy for me.
Favorite Blog: Keli Gwyn. I know I referenced her in my last month-end report, but she had some posts on discouragement that spoke straight to me.
Writing Pal Shoutout: Melanie Brasher . . . Jumping back into the blogosphere alongside me. Her posts are beautiful and inspiring.
Favorite Eats: Anything made by my mom. She treated us to all sorts of family favorites when she was here…Dutch apple pie, beef and noodles, peanut butter squares…you know, low-calorie stuff.
Biggest Fear(s): That my creativity and drive for my writing won’t return. That I’ll lose balance in my life when I jump back into blogging.
Biggest Celebration(s): My sister’s new heart, of course! And to make it even sweeter, our friend Annabelle got a new heart a couple weeks ago! Praising God for these second chances.
Favorite Verse: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.’ Prov. 3:5,6
So how about you? Any rust on your bumper? If you’re up to it, copy my list into the comments and tell me about your month!
Well I sure don’t see any rust!! Welcome back…I have MISSED YOU! So glad to hear your sister is doing well and that normalcy is returning to your life. Can’t wait to read more as you ease back into blogging.
Glad you’re back!! And that the Lord supported you through all that was going on within the last month.
TV Choice: Fell in love with Secret Millionare.
Book Choice: Little Bee.
Favorite Blog: I’ll go with Writer Unboxed for this month.
Writing Pal Shoutout: Love Katie’s post today (Katie Ganshert).
Favorite Eats: Made a rockin’ grilled chicken salad last night. Reminded me of all the good spring/summer foods.
Biggest Fear(s): That I’ll get caught up listening to the wrong voices.
Biggest Celebration(s): Friends moving ahead on the path.
Favorite Verse: The one that says we’ll rise up, like wings on eagles…we’ll run and not grow weary. It’s in Isaiah.
Wow! It sounds like you’ve been on an emotional roller coaster. God is so good though and gives exactly what we need when we need it. I’m glad your sister is okay!
Aww, thanks for the shout out, Sarah!
So glad to see you back! You’re not rusty at all. And I love the verse you chose–such a good reminder for me today.
Mel
Sarah, welcome back! And I am so happy to hear your sister is at home.
My verse for this month is going to have to be the one for the Israelites fleeing Egypt: “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” I have so much to do that I need to keep a center of calm and understand that I cannot control everything! Thank you so much for your suggestion on my blog. I am going to do just what you said.
It has been all about Bubble Guppies in our house
Welcome back!
WELCOME BACK, SARAH!!!
Praise God for second chances!
I’m with you on the struggling to get back into writing as I was before. It’s not easy after a long hiatus, but God is good and He will help us chip away at the rust and grease where needed.
Praying for you, Sarah!
Hello, Sarah! I had “lurked” on your website/blog before and I really should have just jumped in and said “hi” before now. You have an amazing “voice.” Having had chronic illness touch our lives as a family, I could somewhat identify with a little of the the chaos in your life. I, too, had to put my writing “on hold” for a time. Trust me, the words will come and you’ll get back in the saddle again in no time! I’m praying for you, your family, and your sister!
Bekah, Yes, normalcy is returning…Of course, when is everyday life normal?
Jennifer, Glad to be back! And you’re right about the Lord supporting me. It was more like hefting me onto His back and carrying me along at times.
Wendy, My mom introduced me to Secret Millionaire last month. Good show. And I totally feel you on your fear. Praying the right voice comes through loud and clear.
Nisa, Thank you for your kind words. Yes, it has been a rollercoaster. And I’m prone to motion sickness.
Melanie, So glad to see you back too! And I’m glad my rust didn’t show through…must have covered it up good w/ that thick coat of paint.
Rosslyn, I love that verse! It’s so easy to be defeated before we even start, but I love it that “the Lord will fight” for us. How can we lose?!
Julie, Bubble Guppies are quite popular in our house, too. “What time is it? It’s time for lunch.”
Eileen, Thank you for the enthusiastic welcome! So glad to know I’m not chipping away at this rust alone.
Cynthia, Thank you for dropping in and for your kind words! I’m glad to find a kindred spirit who stepped away from writing for a time. And I’m also glad to hear that the words will start flowing again.
Sarah, I couldn’t deal with an entire month without you, so I resorted to email. Call me sneaky. . .or impatient. Both work. The important thing is that I got my Sarah fix.
I’m thrilled that things are going so well for your sister, that she’s home with her family, and that you’re reconnecting with your cyber pals. I wish you a flood of inspiration, a deluge of enthusiasm, and one mighty wave of good news.
Keli, I’m so glad you resorted to email because then I got my Keli fix!
Thank you for the flood, deluge, and wave wishes. With all the rain we’re getting here, I’ll take those in virtual forms, please. 
I have Patti Lacy’s book in my TBR pile as well. Glad to hear all of your amazing updates, Sarah!
Thanks for dropping in, Heather! And thanks, too, for the laughter you brought my way this morning.
Hi, Sarah! Welcome back. I did feel like I lost my mojo for humorous writing when we went through a month-plus of all the boys being sick and then that huge scare with one son’s heart. I must say, though, I could hear the voice of the Holy Spirit so clearly through that time, and it’s then that the blog went waaay deep. The Lord used that to encourage others during that time.
Now, with the scare resolved and receiving the “all clear,” I’m getting my mojo back and can “write funny” again. And that’s a great feeling! Yours will come back, too, I am confident. Sometimes I just stop and praise Him for His boundless creativity and ask the Holy Spirit to pour it through me. He’s ever faithful to do just that and can take a column (or post) from good to great!
Waving and smiling,
Rhonda
Rhonda, Wow, what encouraging words! I guess our writing is much like life…there’s a time for laughter and a time for tears. Glad to hear your son’s issue is resolved.
Yikes. I’m sure it was an exhausting time for all of you. I’m so glad she’s home though! That’s great news.
As for me, I’m just pooped. I think I’ll take a nap today.
Jessica, Hope you enjoy that nap and get un-pooped soon!
Welcome back, Sara! Glad everything went well with your sister. Looking forward to more of your blog posts.
Thanks, Stacy! Look forward to visiting your corner of the blogosphere, too!
Welcome back, Sarah!! It’s good to read your voice again.
Thanks, Christin! It feels good to be writing again.
So good to hear about your sister doing so well!!!
Lots of rust here. Family left today after a two week visit and I am whooped and so behind with life:)
Terri, Sounds like you can relate to how my mom felt after spending 4 weeks at my house. Hope you recuperate soon!
Welcome back! So glad for your sis, and for you to return to a bit of normalcy. Whatever that is.
Speaking of Normal, I’m excited to see you chose Patti Lacy’s book as your favorite. Isn’t she amazing?
Happy weekend,
Jen
Thanks, Jen!
This was my first time reading one of Patti’s books and I was blown away by her writing.
Happy weekend to you too!
Nice to see your smiling face again! PTL for new hearts and new hearts in us as well. XOXO