Hope you have good reason to smile too!
Grace,
Brian
Archive for the ‘Aaby Family’ Category
A WAY more important post than mine!
November 11, 2009Hey Friends!
As some of you know, last year Youthmark was a sponsor of and tried to get the word out for Charity:Water. Well, we are once again (the Aabys and Youthmark) trying to spread the word.
Please go to Elisabeth’s blog, RIGHT NOW, seriously, RIGHT NOW… Click HERE if you don’t know how to get there. She has something way more important to say than anything you can read here right now!
Grace,
Brian
Daddy-Daughter Date: Delightful!
November 10, 2009This morning I was able to go on a Daddy/Daughter date with Audrey! It was absolutely delightful! She has a couple days off of school for parent/teacher conferences, so we took advantage by catching up on some much-needed time together!
We dropped off Halle at school, then took Mommy and Will to MOPS before heading to Huckleberry Square for a breakfast together. We attempted a park (it was raining) and quickly headed to Starbucks for some Hot Chocolate and Coffee.
I love time with my kids, and one-on-one time is quite special!
Grace,
Brian
Breakdown…
November 1, 2009Mental breakdown… No.
Spiritual breakdown… No. Well, yes, already broken and made new in Christ (praise God!).
Emotional breakdown… Nope, doing okay there too.
Physical breakdown… Nah, feeling good, 205 and holding.
So, what sort of breakdown am I talking about?
Transportation breakdown… YES!
Our 4Runner has been running a little louder than normal lately. Not in the engine, just when driving, it almost sounded as if the tires were really big (just loud road noise). We had it in the shop last week and the tech actually called me down, after I approved some work on it, to show me why he didn’t think we should do the work. Long story short, it needs about $X,XXX amount of work done to it. As a 1999 4Runner the good Bluebook value on it isn’t even double that amount. Ahh, what to do?
Our 1998 Avalon needs some minor work done to it as well. It screams at us about every time we turn the engine on (some sort of belt issue). Elisabeth was literally inside my parents house, on the backside of the house, when I started it up last night. She could here it out on the street. A bit embarrassing.
Then to top it all off… I took my bike out on a ride Saturday, I knew I was risking it a bit, but it had been a full week since I had last ridden. My back tire has 6 places that the tube of the tire was beginning to peak through outer edge of the tire. A flat was on the way. Well, because I hadn’t ridden in quite some time, I wanted to make it through the weekend and take it in on Monday for a tune-up and new tire. I was on the last 2-3 miles of my 11.5 mile ride when it felt like the gears were not staying engaged… a couple cranks later and BAM, the chain broke. Fun walk home.
Bike is officially in the shop (but I don’t get it back until next Friday!).
So, transportation breakdown has hit.
Appreciate your prayers for wisdom in how we handle all the decisions that need to be made. If you have a couple spare brand-new cars you want to throw our way, we’d have a hard time saying no.
In all seriousness, we’re not stressed, just trusting the Lord for what’s next. In the meantime, I’m back to some walking to stay in shape (and to get to work).
Grace,
Brian
The Needed Sunday
October 26, 2009I’m coming off of a terrific weekend, and in particular a Sunday that was very needed.
My brother-in-law flew up from Southern California to spend the weekend with us. He and I have been in the same Fantasy Basketball league for the last several years; this year we decided to do a live draft and get everyone together. Scott made the trip up to spend time with the family here and get to meet (in person) all the others in the league.
We had a great time together the whole time, but Sunday was the best and very needed for me.
It’s been a busy/hectic/stressful last couple weeks for me. It seems like a lot of Youthmark stuff was all coming together and once and if I wanted to every waking minute could be spent doing Youthmark related projects. So, Scott’s visit couldn’t have come at a worse, or better time! It forced me to take a break, relax and just be! Sunday specifically was that forced break.
We started the day by picking up my Dad (Mom was out of town) and had my family and Scott go up to 67, for Breakfast. Great grub and awesome atmosphere. Got back in time for second service at church. Came home for lunch and some relax time before heading over to another church to play basketball with all the guys from our fantasy league. Because I’ve gotten in good physical shape (a shape other than “round”), I was able to play well (at least I had my stamina).
After hoops Scott and I came back to finish the prep work for dinner with all the guys back at my house. Grilled up some steak and chicken and really enjoyed the fellowship with all the FBL guys! After dinner we had the Fantasy League Draft and a lot of laughter!
I didn’t do a thing for Youthmark (okay, snuck in a couple quick emails that needed to be tended to, but never really had to think too much). It was a wonderful break!
Oh wait, almost forgot, as I was getting ready for bed I saw on someone’s Tweet that U2 had a live feed of their LA concert on Youtube! Elisabeth and I watched most of it online, we lost sleep, but oh boy, it was worth it!
Refreshing to get back at it today. Please pray for a the upcoming lunches and that those who come to preview Youthmark Mission Ventures would see a great potential partner in Youthmark!
Grace,
Brian
Welcome to the new look and site!
October 16, 2009I made the move…
The blog now has a simplified title… just looking out for you, the reader, I just saved you 9 finger strokes (wordpress) and you can get to the blog just that much quicker!
The new site comes with a new look; my thought is that I’ll update the header every few months just to keep it fresh!
As Youthmark continues to make strides, as I have the opportunity to write and speak a little more often, I thought it’d be fun to have a new blog and a new look.
Thanks for coming by and checking out the new site! My hope is that you’ll continue to lift us up in your prayers (the Aabys and Youthmark)!
Speaking of making strides, I will be announcing one really cool stride on Sunday as well! Stay tuned!
Grace,
Brian
To Do Today
October 12, 2009Sorry, been completely swamped the last few days, good things, just swamped. So I present todays “To Do:”
Morning meeting at my house with a new friend, talking “relationships”… Check
Starbucks meeting with a Youth Pastor… Check (I showed, he didn’t, got caught in a meeting, he’s excused)
Lunch at home and take Audrey to school… Check
Meeting with Ben Buckley at different Starbucks… Check
Send 100 emails to Youth Pastors in Colorado Springs… Check (only another 100 to go).
Stop By Faith to ask Aaron a question… Check (he was busy, but did call me later, while on my ride and I asked question then)
Pick up Audrey from school… Check
Bike Ride 11.5 miles, then shower (that second part was very important)… Check
Text my Young Life guys… Check
Post on my Blog… CHECK!
After Young Life tonight I have more of a to do list, but that’ll do for now.
Thanks for checking in on my day, whether you wanted to or not: Check!
Grace,
Brian
Weekend Highlights
October 5, 2009Even though I woke up Thursday morning with a bit of a sore throat that would later turn in to more of a real sore throat, I wouldn’t let that ruin the weekend. It was a great weekend at the Aaby home. Here are a few of the highlights.
Friday: Did some good prep work for the EXPOSED conference (btw, today is the deadline for early bird pricing). I had a great interview with a police officer who goes undercover online through MySpace and Facebook (I’ll talk about this at the conference). Took Halle to her soccer practice and Elisabeth and I caught up on a few shows we had on our DVR (we love the Amazing Race).
Saturday: Elisabeth did a few consignment sales as I spent the morning with the kids at home. Then we did a family outing to Chipotle for lunch and then off to Halle’s Soccer game (where we discovered Will is a natural). I multi-tasked and got some Youthmark postcards prepped for delivery (I’ll post about this mailing soon). We got home in time to watch the UW/ND refs give the game back to Notre Dame. Halle made her biking debut on the Soos Creek trail, she and I rode a little over 2 miles (which I was giddy to do because I hadn’t ridden in a couple days because of my sore throat). On Saturday night we were able to watch the second half of the Amazing Race premier from the previous week.
Sunday: The moment we’ve been waiting for for many, many months (but nearly as long as the long-term members of Faith Baptist). “A New Day At Faith” began yesterday. The new Lead Pastor was installed at Faith. I look forward to seeing what happens at Faith and the way God uses the leadership team with a new team member. The morning was very festive, complete with donuts and coffee prior to the service (because people were arriving early for the “all church” service), extended time of worship through song (started 15 minutes prior to the service), a message from the heart from Pastor John (did some foundational vision casting, which very much included the idea of “change” so that we’re reaching the next generation) and a lunch in the courtyard after (which was fun for us to catch up with some friends who are checking out Faith).
After Church I was able to get back on my bike for my real ride around the Lake Youngs Reservoir (about 12 miles) and then another ride with Halle on the Soos Creek Trail. We made a great connection with a neighbor (this has been a REAL answer to prayer, I have a burden to get to know our neighborhood). In the evening I started the major re-shifting to create an office space for Youthmark at our house. Though I don’t really “office” at home, the piles were starting to add up and we found ourselves in need of some office space so that the piles have a place to be organized!
As I reflect is was a fairly uneventful weekend (there wasn’t any “major” event), but it was a weekend that I cherished! Praising God for time with my family and the tasks we were able to complete!
Grace,
Brian
Late September… Who Cares?
September 27, 2009
Sept. 26 and we're loving the outdoor dinner!
So it’s September, late September to be more accurate. However, this did not stop us from having dinner outside on Saturday evening. We took advantage of the low 70’s, okay, upper 60’s by the time we dined, but mmmm it was good and it was nice.
The meal came near the end of a great four-day stretch of me being a stay-at-home Dad. Elisabeth and Audrey took off for SoCal on Wednesday to enjoy a little time together at Disneyland (we have a tradition in our family for our kids to have a trip to Disneyland with Mommy when they are five). I am sure Elisabeth will be posting her pics/thoughts, etc. on her blog (you can link to her blog from mine).
Will enjoyed the playground during Halle's Soccer Practice
For me, Halle and Will, we filled our time with school (and the multiple drop off, pick-ups, etc.), soccer (practice and game), a long walk on the Soos Creek Trail, good meals at home, video iChat (with said missing family members), and a few episodes of Tom and Jerry (Halle loves the old classics).
He enjoyed some "Pirate's Booty" during her game.
On top of all that, Will took a few naps, most of them in his crib, but one he took elsewhere.
we tied 1-1
Great times, but thankful to have Elisabeth and Audrey back!
Grace,
Brian
We walked about 3 miles on Saturday
Ahh, classic nap time!
One Is Silver & The Other Gold
September 23, 2009Do you remember the old song? ”Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold” The question, which one is which?
The last two weeks have been “silver and gold” weeks for me. One in which I was able to hang with some great friends from my past while at the same time I have been able to meet some great folk who will most likely play a role in my future (as friends and ministry partners).
A few of the relational highlights:
Some of my new & old "national" Youth Ministry friends
Reunions: Over the last couple weeks I have been able to get back together with many friends in the northwest, many of whom are in networks of youth pastors I meet with. Like today, I was able to grab lunch with Nathan and Eric (guys who both served with me as an Apprentice, when I was youth pastoring); or yesterday, having coffee with Aaron, after two different network meetings with people like Jeremy, Serena, Nick and Brian. And just two days ago, I had lunch with Wescott.
Mike, speaking at Lake Retreat
In addition to the networking reunions, over the last couple weeks I have been blessed by reunions with friends from outside of the immediate area. Two weeks ago I got to spend the greater part of two days with Jeramy outside of San Diego. Any opportunity to spend time with a best friend is awesome. Then last week in Georgia I was able to grab time with friends like Bo Boshers and my mentor Barry St. Clair (and then later Roger Palmer, who is a friend who works with Barry). And then this last weekend I spoke for friend Nate Lindseth while also enjoying time with friend (and former Laker I might add), Mike Penberthy at Lake Retreat with another friend who works at the camp, Eric Sivertson.
New: As I said, one is silver and the other’s gold, but which is which? I think the Lord has brought me into contact with some new “gold” (or at minimum, silver) over these last few weeks as well. How God will use these people to shape me as man of God and our ministry, is yet to be seen, but I get excited about new friendships with the likes of T. Ray, Brian, Bubba, Mike, Alon and a few more! Whew, good stuff.
surrounded by Gold
Now it’s nice to be home with my biggest gems, my family, and worship together our most treasured friend, Jesus.
I count it a privilege to lift up my friends (and family) in prayer. It is nice to know we are supported by many friends lifting us up in prayer as well. I look forward to reunions with you who are my friends and I look forward to the many new friends God will provide in the future!
Grace,
Brian
