the greatest part of the summer...

...is absolutely, without a doubt, the 2012 summer Olympics. I'm one of those people who doesn't care about sports at any other time, but the moment I hear the word "Olympics" my ears perk up immediately. You can bet your bottom dollar that I will not remove my rear end from my place on the couch for the next two weeks. Especially when it comes to the swimming, diving, and gymnastics.

If you'd like, follow me on twitter for my own Olympic commentary. It usually tends to be pretty funny and entertaining. My account is private, but I'm nice and don't bite, so send me a request. ;-)

Do you watch the Olympics? What's your favorite part?

this is a sad day...

My favorite band, downhere, announced today that their touring ministry would be coming to an end starting the first of next year. It's understandable. They have growing families, they've dedicated the past 10 years or so of their lives to touring and playing music night after night. After spending much time around these guys, and others, I know that life is tough on the road. I don't know how they've done it for this long. The thing about these four guys is that they really and truly seek the heart of God out in all of the decisions that they make before they act upon them. There is a time and season for everything. This one has an ending that we can all see now, and a new season will be beginning shortly. Please join me in praying for Jason, Marc, Glenn and Jeremy as the Lord guides their steps down these new roads each of them will be walking. All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose...Romans 8:27-29

On a personal note, I am still gathering my thoughts on this. I hope to post my story about how downhere's ministry changed my life very soon.

lately.

 Beach trip with my mom.

 Being goofy with Gina.

 Learning how to play guitar.

 Fourth of July.



This is coming soon!

__________________________________________________________________________________

There's been a lot of stuff happening lately. A lot to keep me busy. A lot to bring a smile to my face. And certainly a lot to remind me of how blessed I really am.

01. Last monday my Mom and I were dragging our feet around the house, wiping away the sleep from our eyes, when she said, "Want to go to the beach?" Honestly, how could I resist? My schedule was almost completely cleared, so we did just that. We packed a light and healthy lunch, slathered some sunscreen on and hit the beach. It was a gorgeous day. Low tide, quiet, the water was the perfect temperature. Plus, I got to spend it with my mom. She's the best!

02. This past weekend my Floridian born-Michigan living friend Gina was in "town". I say "town" because she lives about an hour south of me, but in "town" is better than in Michigan. I drove down on Friday afternoon, and stayed until Saturday evening. We got caught up on each others lives, played games together, became frustrated from said games, spent time with friends, hit the flea market, sweat until we couldn't sweat anymore, grabbed ice cream, when to the Chik-fil-a, learned some guitar. We had a great time together. It always a great time when I get to hang with Gina and her family.

03. Like I said, Gina taught me how to play a little bit of guitar. It's something I've wanted to learn how to do for a while, but haven't had a guitar to do so. I recently aquired a guitar, so what better time than now to learn?

04. Last week was the 4th! How exciting! I spent most of my day doing homework, but was able to get out for some fun in the afternoon and evening. My church was doing a picnic, so I got to eat some yummy food, and hang out with my good church people. Then I met up with some friends from my young adult bible study group and we went to the city fireworks. My friend Felicia knows some of the city cops, so we were able to get the hook-up and had ourselves some really great seats. We could literally see where the professionals were setting the fireworks off from in the road. It was incredible. And loud. And smoky. And we got rained on by firework debris, but it was still amazing, all the same. Afterward, I went to IHOP with my friends Kelsey and Felicia to keep the party going. It was awkward and weird. And I got really bad heartburn because I ate a bunch of food that I shouldn't have, but other than that, it was a fine night out.

05. The Jason Gray concert that I've been planning is a month and a half away! Crazy! Things have really picked up over the past couple weeks with that, and I am getting pumped. It will be here before I know it. As much work as this whole concert planning gig is, I'll be very sad to see it end. Plus, the planning is part of the fun, right?

Also, I'm taking an oceanography class right now, and last week I got a B on my first test!

The Lord has been blessing me left and right. Not only has he been blessing me, but He's been blessing those around me as well. It's so encouraging to see the hand of God in every little detail. Wow! I'm just blown away. 

joy in simplicity.

Taken April 2009 on a local beach.

I've had this little spot on the internet for over four years. I've been trying to figure out what I really want to convey here for a long time now. I've tried a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but it always seems as though I can never stick with it. I've questioned whether I should even have a blog over and over again, and have come *this* close to deleting it all together, but there's something in the back of my mind that always tells me to stick it out. 

Well, I think I've finally figured how what I want this little blog to be. It's been long enough, right?

I had my "Aha!" moment a few days ago as I was browsing around the internet. I kind of kicked myself after I had it, because what I want this blog to be about has been right in front of my face all this time. It's in the name. joy in simplicity.  

What I want for this blog to portray is exactly what the blog name is already saying. Finding joy in the simple and small things during each day. Taking a moment to find beauty in the flowers on the side of the road, the birds chirping, the bright blue skies, the breezes, the afternoon rain showers, the rainbows, the smiles and laughter from the dear ones in life, sweet words of loving kindness. Blessings. And sharing those blessings with others around me and enriching their lives.  

Life can really get you down. I tend to let life get me down more often than I'd like admit. It can be difficult sometimes to find beauty in the every day when there are so many depressing things surrounding us. It's a beautiful challenge to find the things in life that make us happy and seek them out with all of our heart, mind and soul. 

My biggest prayer for my blog has always been that God would use my words or my stories to encourage someone who needed it at that moment in time. The internet is huge, anyone can find this place and read my little stories. It is their choice what they take away from what I write. I pray they leave encouraged and that it somehow trickles down to the people around them. 

This is my prayer. Lord, hear it. Use it. Amen.

little debby.

Dear Debby, 

You were the little storm that could. Thank you for your rain, your wind and your gusto. It was the perfect way to end my week-and-a-half long break. You provided me with relaxation, cozy time in bed with a book (or three), the opportunity to see two movies at the theater, and the longing for winter. You were just what I needed. But...you are on your way now, and I am happy to see the sunshine again.

Love,
This little Floridian

eight things i learned from camp.

As many (read: all) of you know, I've worked at two different summer camps since the summer of 2009. Once you work at summer camp it changes your life. After you leave, the things that you learned just ooze out of your every poor. My life changed just a little bit more every time I came home at the end of the summer. The things that you learn or pick up at camp stick with you for a long time.

I've been thinking of (missing) camp so much over the past couple of weeks, so what better way to commemorate that then make a list of the things I learned from camp. Life changing, gross, you know.

1. A swim in the lake can totally take the place of a shower. It's summer, embrace nature, leave the shampoo in your toiletry bag, and go for a jump of the lifeguard tower. Just do it.

2. Shorts are okay to wear. I went into my second summer of camp counseling having not worn shorts for a LONG time. Bring them, buy them, wear them, love them. You'll be glad you did.

3. Sleep in on the weekends. You've been taking care of 8 children all week long, for 23 hours a day, give yourself a break and recharge.

4. Nothing can compare to weekends at camp. Nothing. Laundromats and Target trips suddenly seem so much more fun to take part in. And while you're in town, stop at the local coffee shop and get your favorite cold caffeinated beverage. You can thank me later.

5. You will suddenly be famished at 8:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 5:30 pm. Like clockwork. Accept it, embrace it. It's wonderful! And indulge in those delicious sweets. Walking by the rack? Grab a brownie. You'll be glad you did.

6. Get away from camp for a whole weekend. While you love your fellow camp staff people, it's always nice to get away, recharge with people who really understand you, and then come back and dive into the craziness of camp again!

7. Talk to everyone when you first meet during those staff training days. Find out what you have in common with people, see who you click with the best, and stick by their side. It's important to find one or two people who you can confide in. It's entirely possible for these people to become your best friends. And it's entirely possible that it will happen within two weeks of knowing each other.

8. You will look back on your time at camp fondly. Not matter the trials you experienced while there and the laughs you experienced. If you allow God to come into your heart and work out the things that hurt you, He will give you a new pair of eyes. Allow the hurts, allow the challenges, allow the healing, and allow the happiness.

community.

Earlier today... I was tired, cranky, didn't want to do anything, would rather have stayed in bed, needed an attitude adjustment, wanted a vacation.

I had a meeting that I needed to go to at church, which I was totally okay with, and later in the day I was supposed to meet with a friend to grab coffee and "exchange cookies for hugs". The time in between was unknown. I came home and my mom wanted me to help her clean a little bit. No problem there, except my mood totally went down hill. I was tired, didn't want to go anywhere, didn't want to do anything. I needed to trade my tired and unhappy heart in for a merry one.

Later today... I met my friend at Starbucks. The point of this was so she could deliver cookies she so sweetly and kindly decided to bless me with, and I could exchange her cookies for a big hug. You see, on Thursday I found out that I will be tested on seven chapters of American history this coming Thursday. One week to read and study seven chapters. I was overwhelmed and posted something about my panic on Facebook Thursday. My sweet friend Lindsy kindly left me a comment and said she would bake me whatever type of cookie I wanted, because baked goods are every studying girls best friend. My request? Ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies. They are fantastic (I'm eating two right now). 

We ended up getting coffee, sitting at a tiny table in a small Starbucks, just talking. Sharing life and laughter with one another. By the time we looked at the clock, three hours had passed in the blink of an eye. There wasn't a dull moment, and the conversation was life giving, soul lifting, and just generally good for my weary heart.

As were were talking, we talked about prayer, and how it can be hard to pray sometimes. I feel silly when I pray most of the time, especially if God already knows what the outcome will be. It's hard for me to pray for something and hope that my praying will turn the situation around if that's not God's plan. But...I know that through my praying, my relationship with the Lord is becoming stronger. I'm working at the relationship, but God is also working in my heart through the conversations I am having with Him. I tell Him the desires of my heart, he takes those desires, molds them into what He wants for me, hands them back and the desires of my heart become the desires of His heart.

The Lord knows what we need, when we need it. Today, the Lord knew I needed to be rejuvenated. He knew that I needed to be in community with a friend. And He knew I needed some chocolate chip cookies...

"Wherever two or more are gathered, there I am with them."

Matthew 18:20