Happy Birthday Will!
Check me out!
He is telling you how old he is!
Grace,
Brian
My Son Is One!
Author Brian Aaby
CONTEST: Aab-Libs “My Saturday”
They’re back! I haven’t done an “Aab-Lib” in quite some time.
Okay, so here’s the scoop, you’ll need to have a piece of paper or an open word document. First, go through the list and give your words (just like Mad-Libs). Then, after you have created your list, copy the story below and add your words that correspond with the numbers in the story (erase the numbers obviously).
Insert this in as a “comment” and it’ll post. Be patient if it doesn’t post as a comment right away, I’ll need to approve them first (anti-spam mechanism on the blog).
I’ll list out my top three later in the week!
DO NOT READ THE STORY FIRST!!! Fill in these words first!
- Month
- Number
- Year
- city
- Number
- Adjective
- Verb
- Verb
- Adjective
- Noun
- Country other than the US
- Food
- Adjective
- Measurement of time, plural
- Fruit or Vegetable
- Noun
- Noun
- Past tense verb
- Verb ending in “ing”
- Something edible
******************* The Story *******************
“My Saturday”
On Saturday morning (1) (2), (3), I took off from SeaTac airport to fly to (4). I was on a Boeing (5) jet. The (6) flight was pretty uneventful. No time to (7) or (8) because it was such a short flight.
I arrived and (9) rented a (10) which would serve as my transportation for these two days down near the border. I was very excited to have a (12) lunch with the Murrell family in Pine Valley. I brought a (13) team to serve them a couple (14) ago. After lunch I drove to Julian to meet with Pastor Rick and eat some Julian (15) Pie. We got to chat about (16) and (17).
I was so (18) by this day, I came down from the hill and got back just in time to eat dinner with my friend Jeramy, who wrote the book “I Gave (19) a Chance.” Dinner was so great, Jerusha served Grilled Chicken with (20) as a side dish.
Then it was time for bed!
Grace,
Brian
******* Winners *********
Instead of posting a “winner” on this, thought I’d post some of my favorite Aab-Lib lines from the entries. And of course a little commentary after each of them as to why I thought they were great.
“…I took off from SeaTac airport to fly to Yakima” Byron (dude, nobody would fly to Yakima)
“..No time to lick or fly because it was such a short flight.” Byron (if I remember correctly, I did “lick and fly” on this flight, in fact, I licked a fly, that’s right.)
“…Jerusha served Grilled Chicken with wedding cake as a side dish.” The Wifey (I could see Jerusha doing such a thing)
“…No time to crash or climb because it was such a short flight” The Wifey (this is great because it fit with flying… well, I hope the crashing never does fit…)
“…No time to crabwalk or skip because it was such a short flight” Brad (c’mon, who crabwalks anymore?)
“…I brought a lazy team to serve them a couple nano seconds ago” Brad (I love it because a lazy team would only serve for a nano second)
“…and eat some Julian seafood Pie.” RackyJ21 (the very thought of seafood makes me sick, so good work Ricky)
“…with my friend Jeramy, who wrote the book “I Gave Dying a Chance.” RackyJ21 (classic, wonder how that book turned out?)
“…rented a rock which would serve as my transportation” HG McGee (is that an American made car?)
“…We got to chat about flower and leaf.” HG McGee (I could just see me and Rick chatting about flower and leaf)
Music To My Ears
I have had a macbook pro for about 18 months now, this has been a blessing in many ways. On a few of my early travel trips we would arrange to do a video ichat with the family by arranging for Elisabeth and the kids to go to my parents house. They had a newer G-5 which also has the camera built in.
Well, my wife recently was graciously gifted a new macbook and it has a built-in isight camera as well! So, on my most recent trip we got to talk a couple times via the video ichat.
As the call went through, there was my family all staring back at me, and all of a sudden, Will was the first to speak up, “Da-Da” and with that he was frantically waving his hand as if to say “hello” (actually by the way he was waving it was HELLO, HELLO, HELLO!).
Though I hated being away from the family, video chatting sure has helped with the road-trip aspect of my job.
Gotta love technology!
Grace,
Brian
9.5 hours
Of Sleep.
Ahh. Enough said.
Grace,
Brian
Three of My Favorite Things (in one day)
This last weekend I was able to do three wonderful things!
First I was able to have lunch with the Murrell family in Pine Valley, CA.
Second I was able to have a slice of Apple Pie at the Julian Pie Co. with Pastor Rick Hill in Julian, CA.
And last, I was able to have dinner with my best friend (outside of Jesus and my wife of course) in Escondido, CA.
Pretty sweet day if you ask me.
I was down in the San Diego area over the weekend to train the students of Emmanuel Faith. Since my flight got in on Saturday morning and the training wasn’t until Sunday morning (and all day on Sunday), I decided to take a quick road trip from SD to PV to Julian to Escondio (all of these drives were less than an hour).
I had such a great time catching up with Pastor Joe, Jenny, Joshua and Caleb. I wish we would have had more time to share stories and catch-up. Pray for the church in Pine Valley, some great things are happening. By the way, both Pine Valley and Julian were towns I have been to previously on one of these mission trips.
In Julian, Pastor Rick gave me his new book But YOU, When You Pray. This is a first for him and I’m excited he has been published! We had a fantastic time hanging out for nearly two hours! Again, pray for the church in Julian!
When I arrived in Escondido, I was treated to some great home-cooking from Jerusha Clark (Jeramy’s wife). We were able to hang out on both Saturday night and a little on Sunday night before I flew out on Monday morning! I wish I had more time with the Clarks as well.
The training on Sunday was very successful. I thought the students responded so well. This is a team which will be heading into the Gulf Coast. They are doing something unique, the first part of their two week mission will be done in the inner city of New Orleans (working with Urban Impact). Then, after that experience, they will head to a Rural community to do the Youthmark Mission Venture! I can’t wait to hear the reports! If their training is ANY indication of what their mission is going to look like, we should hear some great things!
The students responded really well to both the FoF and the call for awareness for Charity:Water! God is using these things to bring others to Himself! Praise God!
Now, off to do more of my favorite things!
Grace,
Brian
Faith on Facebook Update
It has been so fun to follow the first wave of the “FoF Challenge.” On April 4 we concluded our first Spring Retreat (training 95 students) for the Youthmark Mission Ventures. What the students didn’t know was that most of the training has little to do with going on a mission trip, rather being on mission at all times!
I did a practical challenge to end the retreat. The FoF Challenge is for students to donate their status update for the purpose of beginning spiritual conversations with their Facebook friends. By simply writing “Ask me about my FoF” in their status bar the Facebook missionary will receive responders who do, in fact, ask about the FoF.
I have been able to follow many conversations (posted on “walls”), this is fun to see the boldness. I have chosen to privately message the people who ask me about my FoF. This way I can continue to have people ask me about my FoF (if I post it on my wall, it will essentially get rid of the intrigue). There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” way, it is just the way I choose.
Currently I have had several ask me about my FoF and specifically have been able to share the Gospel in three different messaging conversations!
Praise the Lord! Pray for the students in Escondido, CA; Colorado Springs; Spring, Texas and the remaining students in WA who will be trained and given the FoF challenge!
Grace,
Brian
A First
WARNING: For those with weak stomachs, read with caution.
Last night I was scheduled to speak at Tabernacle Baptist Church of Shoreline. With my in-laws in town we met for an early dinner at Famous Dave’s down by Southcenter. I knew something was up when I didn’t want to eat (I like the food there a lot). I even mentioned to Elisabeth, “hope I’m not fighting something off.”
On my way driving north I began feeling worse. When Hayden, the youth pastor, asked if I wanted to play the games (which I normally would) I declined saying, “nah, I’d rather observe” (knowing that I’d not make it through the games without making up a new game entitled “Toss Your Cookies”).
So, then we moved upstairs for some singing and the the message. I informed Hayden that at any point I may need to step out and find a restroom. Well, I made it all the way through worship and even made it through my message, though when I normally would close in prayer, I asked Hayden to do so instead.
I even made the 45 minute drive home (only twice thinking that I would need to pull over to make a roadside deposit).
Immediately upon my arrival at home and another several times during the night I relived myself of the food poisoning.
Throwing up stinks (literally), but I’m feeling better today.
……
I obviously couldn’t come up with anything better to tell you than a throw-up story, sorry!
Grace,
Brian
M’s Win Home Opener!
It was such a blessing to be at the M’s Home Opener once again. This time I was able to take in the game with the full family (plus my in-laws)! It was so great to see and hear Ken Griffey Jr. introduced, much to the pleasure of the 46,000+fans.
Great game, good food, fun with the family (the girls sort-of enjoyed the game) and the M’s pulled out the 10th inning heroics!
A wonderful half-day off!
Grace,
Brian
Either Or
Are you a morning person or a night person? I am both.
Are you a Coke person or Pepsi person? I like both.
Are you a “share with words” or “share with my life” type of witness person? I am both.
Are you an “I hate Monday” or “I like Monday” person? I am both.
Most of the time I am an “I like Monday” guy. Granted, there are weeks I don’t look forward to, but this is one of those weeks I am pretty excited about. I have a few administrative things I need to get done this week, but nothing over the top. The financial side of things is a little stressful (I’m still figuring out all this stuff), but learning is fun.
One of the highlights of the week is going to the Home Opener of the M’s. I love Safeco Field and we have been so spoiled by Elisabeth’s folks, each year they get us seats to opening day. It’s fun, this year they are joining us for the game (they do about 50% of the time). We look forward to the extended time with them this week!
I am also looking forward to being back with the Burien network on Wednesday. My spring has been so sporadic with Wednesdays, it is such a blessing to be with these men. A few of them are going through some really tough things right now and being able to sit with them and pray with them is a boost to all of us!
Also on Wednesday I am meeting with another Youth Pastor, and then speaking at a north Seattle youth group. Fun times!
Oh, one other thing I am very excited about: THE GOSPEL! How can you not be excited about the Greatest News Ever? He is Risen Indeed. I get the opportunity to once again share the great news tonight at Young Life through the relationships I am building with students and then follow up with three different FoF conversations I have going on my facebook (read the posts from last week if you don’t know about FoF).
So, whether or not you’re a Monday person, morning or night, coke or pepsi; I hope you’re a witness person! We need to share with our life, but we also need to share with our words! Praise be to the one who paid it all so we may live (and share)!
Grace,
Brian
On The Road Again
I just returned from a brief scouting trip to Idaho. Though our last trip was intended to be a Montana and Idaho scout trip the specific needs of some of our sending towns could not be met by the places we looked at in northern Idaho. So, I booked a flight to Boise and took a two day whirlwind tour. I started on Tuesday by heading north to the Garden Valley area. From Crouch to Cascade, through McCall, north to Riggins, south to Council and Cambridge I returned to Boise in time on Wednesday to have dinner with my friend Cory and his family.
The trip, once again, was a great blessing. Though all the churches need to confirm with boards it looks like we have our last three Idaho towns booked. Very exciting!
Now, I’m home for a good stretch and look forward to good times with my family (and extended family coming to town). Of course, I will catch and M’s game or two in their opening home stand!
You can pray for a few upcoming speaking opportunities I have and a meeting with a church to talk about doing some consulting! Appreciate your faithful prayers!
Grace,
Brian
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