Elisabeth and I were just too undecided, so we let Halle and Audrey fill out our absentee ballots…
Growing up fast, but not that fast!
… I’m kidding of course (we’re VERY decided and we did our own ballots)! Don’t forget to vote (that is, if you’re 18, ha!).
Grace,
Brian
It’s already almost 2:00 and I am finally getting to my Monday morning post! At least it is still morning in Hawaii!?! However, I have good reason for not posting until now. I am living with discipline these days!
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. ~1 Timothy 1:6-7
As I arrived at my local coffee shop this morning, I had a list of seven things which I thought I needed to accomplish today, my blogging was sixth on that list, and low and behold, I have kept to the list!
Though Paul probably did not intend, “list making” as the self-discipline for Timothy, it is clear that Timothy was to be bold with his self-discipline. Timothy apparently struggled with timidity, his young age and perhaps even speaking boldly. He was given the instruction to fan into flame these things. I love that word picture.
Having recently returned from Southern California were able to see the fire damage from the Santa Ana winds in SoCal. It’s amazing that a small spark can consume so much when aided by the wind. I believe my life, and your life, can do the same. Only, we’re not talking damage, we’re talking consuming influence (aided by the wind of the Holy Spirit).
My faith foundation thought today: discipline. I hope I can fan into flame a life of self-discipline. I don’t want to live by lists; but I do desire to accomplish the things He desires for me to do. Rather than jumping from project to project, I am learning (which means please give me time to perfect this) to start and finish a project (even in the same setting). My hope is to be disciplined in my study, in my prayer life, in my waiting on God. I want to live with bold self-discipline as Paul urged his son in the faith, Timothy.
Grace,
Brian
My most recent post was a contest, with my “in the running” candidates listed at the end of this post. We’ll get to the winner at the end of the weekend, so, don’t hesitate to submit another or comment for your first time. I have also included the list of all my other contest winners (and prizes when applicable).
Best Fast Food Burger: In-N-Out is the clear winner
Best Coffee Place: Starbucks won this one, Peet’s and Non-Corp coming in a close second.
Best Club: Winner: Wescott, with his suggestion for BJ’s… next time you’re in town Wes, we’ll go.
Best Fair Food: Scone, hands down.
Tell Me About My Day (Aab-Libs): Dylan wins the prize of a big Man-Hug for the best Aab-Lib. I really enjoyed the Draino and the Prom Night Punch.
The Stove: We found it on our own, so we win the prize of dinner at our house!
The Ultimate Summer Meal: It’s fall, and we’re still waiting for the ultimate summer meal at another house. Now we’re feeling unloved…
Who Am I? Schlaud won the prize, and I’m not sure if I ever got him the coffee card? Schlaud, did I?
Name the Celebrity: Jan B. won the prize, and I know she didn’t get the coffee card, but I think I have gotten her a couple Iced Teas at Starbucks since the win.
Free Coffee: Elisabeth won the prize and I have paid up… right? Ha.
Okay, as for “What’s He Thinking:” here are the people we have “in the running…”
“Mmmm…coffee, I hope the chicks still dig me when I’m 5′1 at age 18…” Byron
“Wait till mommy sees this diaper” Jared
“Watch out below, Americano diaper in 1, 2, 3…” Jeramy
Family Insider Award: “Did you watch them shake it?” MIL*
AND THE WINNER IS:
Going to give it up to Jeramy, though Jared had the first diaper joke in, he added the good coffee twist. My brother had a great one, but it offended my wife, so he’s out! Great work Jeramy, your prize is a diaper from Will next time we’re down in Escondido! Or a Starbucks drink, your choice.
*So the Aaby and Stimer families really enjoy our shaken Iced Tea at Starbucks. But most of us get it w/o water and w/o the sweetner, so sometimes the baristas see this as an opportunity to be lazy and skip the “shaking” (since they think you only need it shaken if you have other stuff in there)… so we typically watch to make sure it is actually shaken!
So, there’s still time to submit another quote from Will, get to it if you want the prize!
Grace,
Brian
I promise that in the next week or so I’ll go back through my posts and announce the winners of all previous “contests” (I have them, just haven’t announced them). But I thought I’d start a new one (yes, it’s based off an idea that I have seen on other blogs, but we’ll switch it up a bit). It’s called “What Am I Thinking?”
You’ll need to give your best or funniest thought/quote for the person(s) in the picture. Today, we’ll start with my son Will, this pic was staged last week in California. What’s he thinking?
What Am I Thinking?
Have fun, we’ll see who comes up with the best one (the entire Aaby fam will be the judges).
Grace,
Brian
I had the privilege of going to a second youth group in as many nights tonight. Last night (as I previously posted) I spoke at Avondale Bible Church in Woodinville. What a great group of students. As I shared about Paul’s “fear and trembling” in his letter to the Corinthians I could see the students really relate to the Scripture. A big thanks to Ben, their Youth Pastor, for inviting me to come share.
Tonight, I drove south to Tacoma to be a part of the Real Life Family Center youth group. It was exciting to hear their worship band and to see the students praising God through song. It was interesting I was down there tonight. Troy, their youth pastor, announced that on January first he would know longer be the YP at RLFC. The gasp from the crowd could be audibly heard. He is very loved and loves the students. It really brought back memories of sharing the news of our departure with my former students (I welled up as Troy was sharing). The positive news for Troy and these students, he is becoming the Discipleship Pastor at the growing church. So the students were saddened by the change, but ecstatic he will still be there. Afterwards, I was able to grab Applebees with Troy and Les–the YP-to-be at Real Life (he is currently a volunteer and they are passing the full-time torch to him). Great times.
First thing in the morning I get the opportunity to meet with two different YPs from the south (Lacey and Chehalis) and then another one at lunch from West Seattle. Last week was a great working vacation, this week has truly been work, and it’s been wonderful!
Grace,
Brian
We just got back from a trip to California, it was a “working vacation,” as I like to call it. Really, got a lot of rest, time with family and some great stuff done for Youthmark as well. I thought it would be good to post a few of the things we were able to do while in SoCal, so I’ll start with a great picture of what we were able to do last week at this time, and what I did this morning!
Grace,
Brian
Last Week...
This morning
Halle, 1-2-3-Jump!
Ditto for Audrey!
Anyone happening by the blog on Tuesday evening, would appreciate your prayers as I speak at a youth group in Woodinville. Pray I connect well with the students and parents in attendance. This is a church interested in a Youtmark Mission Venture… I feel like it is a working interview! Ha.
While you’re at it, pray for another speaking opportunity next week in Covington. That is a church already doing a YMV. Fun opportunities to connect with the youth whom I will get to serve with this summer in Idaho!
Grace,
Brian
You may have read my previous post about three of our friends going through some very hard times. Last night, while online, I had another conversation in which a friend shared another very tough family situation. It is interesting, in the midst of these very difficult situations we are called in Scripture to “consider these things pure joy (James 1).”
You ever want to say, “are you serious, Lord?”
I do. Yet, having been through various trials, the trail, in hindsight, is imprinted with grace markings. As I sat down this morning to read the Word and to pray through these various “trials” others are going through I have a hard time seeing the trail ahead for my friends, but I do know that the fog will clear, and though the trail may be steep, slippery or full of potholes, the Guide, by His grace, will lead us through. However, It’s very difficult to have this understanding in the midst of the fog.
So, I rest in the promise of Psalm 27 today. Asking God to be our confidence. Praying/praising the following (Psalm 27:1-3, 14):
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
In the last 24 hours we’ve received three very hard-to-swallow updates from good friends of ours. We’d appreciate you praying for these matters.
1. A medical situation for a missionary friend of ours–pray for a safe return to the states.
2. A friend was admitted to the hospital and is dealing with complications that are causing paralysis. Please pray for her and her family.
3. A close friend of ours lost her father in an auto incident last night.
We are deeply saddened by the news but we are trusting the Lord in all of these situations.
Thank you for your prayers!
Grace,
Brian
One of the unforeseen things about having a blog now occurs a few times a week (if not daily). Anytime one of our daughters says or does anything funny or cute and they see us laughing or talking about it, they ask, “are you going to blog this?”
I can guarantee that I never asked my parents that one!
Grace,
Brian
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