Author Brian Aaby

M’s Stink, but Safeco Field Ranks High

Brian Aaby 5 Comments

I am coming up on about seven weeks since my baseball trip back east with my Dad and brother.  While on the trip I was able to take in several new major league baseball stadiums.  I wrote that at some point I would rank my favorite stadiums, well, here it is!  If you have been to more than three major league stadiums I welcome your rankings as well… if you have nothing to compare then it probably isn’t worth commenting (what’s this, I’m asking people to not comment?  huh? ha).  So, here are my stadiums, followed by my top five.

Major League Baseball Stadiums I have been to (in order first time of visit as well):

My first game, Kingdome

My first game, Kingdome

 

 

 

  1. The Kingdome (Seattle’s old Stadium before Safeco)… Many times
  2. Fulton County Stadium (Atlanta’s old Ballpark before Turner)… one game
  3. Dodger Stadium (LA)… many times
  4. Safeco Field (Seattle)… many, many, many times
  5. Edison Field (Anaheim, Los Angeles Angels)… several times
  6. Chase Field/formerly Bank One Ballpark (Phoenix, Arizona Diamondbacks)… many times
  7. Petco Park (San Diego)… one game each in 2005 and 2006

    Went to Wrigley with my dad last year

    Went to Wrigley with my dad last year

  8. U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox)…one game
  9. Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)… one game
  10. Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers)… once each the last two years
  11. Camden Yards (Baltimore Orioles)… one game
  12. Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)… one game
  13. Yankee Stadium (NY)… one game
  14. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)… one game

 

 

The Brian Rankings (top 5):

Honorable Mentions and Reason:

Citizens Bank, Phillies: best food faire of all stadiums I have been to.

 

 

A great dog; add mustard and onion!

A great dog; add mustard and onion!

 

 

5. Dodger Stadium… great site lines throughout, Dodger Dog is best hot dog in the either league and for an older stadium, it still looks pretty good.

 

4. Wrigley Field… horrible site lines but the awesome history and c’mon, Ivy on the outfield fences make this a “have to.”  2nd best fans in the league.

3. Camden Yards… great location near waterfront, great things to do before game, first of the new “old school” stadiums.

Will's first game at the Safe

 

 

2. Safeco Field… I am a homer, but Safeco offers great unique food options, spectacular views and probably one of the best kept fields.  Might be the best family park (fun options for kids… at right, Will’s first game with Daddy).

Fenway Park takes #1

Fenway Park takes #1

 

 

1. Fenway Park… honestly, the horrible 15,000 wood seats in prime location almost knocked them to two, but the best fans, best atmosphere around the stadium (totally festive) all the history and the Green Monster make it the number one.  Plus they have the best fans I’ve ever seen/heard.

Okay, again, if you’ve had three or more, rank your top three! I want to keep adding parks, so I hope I can do an annual ranking!

Grace,
Brian

Looking Forward… Youthmark

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Several weeks ago I started a blog series entitled, “Looking Forward.”  This series will be a semi-regular post.  In light of last nights Youthmark Fellowship Gathering, I am using Youthmark as the subject for this LF.

In the next…

…hour I look forward to continuing work on my brochure/advertising piece for the mission aspect of Youthmark.  I would guess I have 30% of the content produced, so there is much more to do! Specifically today I am doing some research on some of the communities I will be scouting soon.

…day I am excited to meet with some of my good friends in the ministry.  Nathan Schlaud, Chad Schnathorst, Eric Drumm and I make up the core of the Burien/West Seattle Network; we plan on starting up again in the next couple weeks and I believe most of the guys will be hanging out tomorrow.  It has been since the IDAH08 Mission since we’ve all been together.

…week I am very excited about a few key meetings with some guys I will be recruiting for specific roles in the mission project. 

…month I should have all the promotional materials produced for the mission side of Youthmark.  Besides publishing the “service” side of Youthmark will be initially dominated by this mission project (with many other things on the back-burner simmering).  

…year I am excited to meet with the Youthmark Fellowship Gathering a few times.  Last night was probably the most “information” oriented gathering.  In the future I look forward to “doing life” together more and sharing the praises and prayer requests.  I can’t wait for the day I can bring names of specific Youth Leaders, Parents and Students to my prayer team for the purpose of prayer and praise!  

Father, thank you for allowing me to pursue this dream.  Thank you for the support of my family and friends.  I pray the ministries/projects of Youthmark would honor You!

Grace,
Brian

REMINDER: YFG

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Quick post to remind you of/invite you to our first Youthmark Fellowship Gathering (Dessert) tonight at the Heider home (7:00 PM).  If you need directions or specifics, don’t hesitate to email me at brian@youthmark.com. Can’t wait to share some of the vision and specific prayer requests for this new venture.

Grace,
Brian

Celebrating Communication

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In the spring of 1994, I visited Colorado for the first time in my life.  I spent a couple days hanging out with Scott Stimer (who would later become my brother-in-law!).  I remember how impressed I was with the Stimer family and their communication.  They had a couple car phones (which was sort of rare back then).  It seemed like very hour or two they called each other just to “check in” and to let one another know of any plans any individual may have had.  
It’s nice to be on the same page with others.  I’m celebrating communication in my life right now.  As you see above, it was so nice for my girls to be able to “check in” with Mommy during our camping trip (though we had a ten foot zone in which calls could actually go through).  On top of the ability we have with cell phones (IM, email, texting, etc.), I’m thankful for face to face communication as well.  This weekend, I felt, was a great communication time for us as a couple.  
“Checking in” with one another should not be a difficult task, but for some reason we allow life to get in the way of relationship.  I hope you are checking in with those you love and care for!  This week alone I have three or four “checking in” appointments lined up.  
As we are instructed in Hebrews, “consider how you may spur (inspire, promote, urge) one another on toward love and good deeds.“
Grace,
Brian 

Doubly Blessed

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Fortunately, Highlands Community Church had none of the “bloopers” you may have seen in my previous post.  This morning, we visited HCC for the second time (the other time was about a month ago).  We were very blessed by the teaching of Pastor Jim Amandus.  He is doing a short series in August on a few Psalms he feels define the crisis of our times.  Today was the Crisis of Conscience.  He taught on Psalm 51:10-19.  Great Stuff.  One of the points that stood out to me is the difficult ending in the last two verses.  The first 17 verses of Psalm 51 are deeply personal and intimate.  However, the last two verses seem to take on a different nature (speaking more corporately, terms like “Zion,” etc.).  This has been a part that many theologians have had a hard time describing.  I like Pastor Amandus’ take… he thinks the first 17 verses are intimate and personal as David repents from his sin.  He takes the time to make things right with God… then he ends with talking about his public reputation and the public result.  This is the opposite of how most of us go about our life!  When we sin, we (or at least I) am usually concerned about what others will think, not what about the Lord thinks!  This, I believe, is why we see so many pastors/leaders cover up their sin, and we see great crashes and ministry/marital failures.  What if we dealt with our sin the way David did–talk to the Lord, repent and then concentrate on rebuilding your reputation (not rebuild reputation and eventually bring it to God). Great point, one that I want to chew on for some time!  

The message isn’t posted yet, but should be soon, if you’re interested click here.

The second blessing is taking place right now!  I am listening to my good friend Andy Heider.  Andy was my prayer elder while I served at Boulevard Park.  Now I am hoping he’ll become my biggest prayer partner for Youthmark.  Anyway, Andy is one of the greatest “life” teachers one could ever have.  He is humble and his heart overflows Christ.  Andy would never claim to be a preacher, and that’s what I love most about this sermon so far… he isn’t preaching, he is sharing his heart, his passion, his love! Andy lives his life so consistently with the message he teaches.  I will chew on this as I examine my own life!

If you’d like to hear Andy’s message from this morning click here.

Response time (for any interested):  What was the message at your church today?  What are you chewing on as a result?

Grace,
Brian 

P.S. Pray for our girls in this “church search” time.  It is a tough thing to go to a different place each week.  Halle attended church with us (I think she was nervous to go into a new class), while Audrey mustered up just enough courage to attend her class… she liked it a lot.

Round Two

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As many of you know, we have been checking out different churches the last month and a half.  We are in the middle of our second round now (narrowing the field and returning to churches for our second look).  In the spirit of not really thinking of a post today and in the spirit of of just wanting a good laugh, I hope none of this happens in the church we visit tomorrow (okay, so maybe I do want some of it to happen)!

Grace,
Brian

My Little Ladies

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I know I have boasted about my wonderful wife on my blog a couple times already, and this one isn’t really focused on her, but she is the best.  A little over a week ago I went on my Scottsdale trip with the guys from my lifeboat (small group).  She was the “single mom” for those 6 days.  So, I had pre-arranged for a little break for her by taking the girls camping for a couple days!  She and Will were able to have some good Mommy-Son time while Daddy took his girls on a camping trip date!  What a blast.  I sensed Elisabeth enjoyed the break and when we returned she had the “back to school” surprise on each of the girls beds.  New clothes!  The girls were quite excited!

 

Camping with the little ladies was a lot of fun. They were pretty pumped about everything!  The tent took me 10 minutes to set up and about 10 seconds for them to “call home” (setting everything up as they liked it).  They loved the fire times (marshmallows especially). And of course they loved the lake.  They had just finished their first round of swim lessons on Monday (we’ll resume in the winter or spring); so they put it all into practice at Lake Kachess this week.  Halle even swam briefly without any lifejacket!   Poor little Audrey must have some pretty sweet blood, she must have 25 mosquito bites (in spite of my best efforts with spray).  We took five books for Halle (all about 100 pages)… She read four!

Halle with one of her five books

Halle with one of her five books

 

I love camping, can’t wait to do it as an entire family next summer, but this one was special with just the girls!  Thanks Elisabeth!

Grace,
Brian

camping cuddles!

camping cuddles!

Halle practicing her backstroke!

Halle practicing her backstroke!

campfire time!

campfire time!

 

 

too cute!

too cute!

 

gotta love it!

gotta love it!

 

 

 

 

Your Vote Will Count!

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Living in King County for most of my life I have heard “your vote won’t really make a difference.”  I have to admit, that most of the time I have had to agree, we live in a quite liberal area, and most of the time my vote leans more toward the conservative.  However, I want you to be aware of a voting opportunity in which I know your vote will count.

As I wrote about a few posts back, the Heiders are hosting a Youthmark Fellowship Gathering this coming Monday, August 18, at 7:00 PM (email me if you need an address or directions). At this gathering I will introduce the attendees to a couple of my “major” Youthmark offerings.  One of which is a mission-oriented project.  I know a number of the places I will be offering these mission trips, but there is a mystery location in which I am going to count on my “voters” to help pick!  So, come one, come all, and help me make a critical decision for the Summer 2009 Youthmark Mission season!

Looking forward to sharing the vision and direction with as many as possible.  Thanks for the many who are committed to praying for the Aabys and Youthmark!  Hope to see you Monday.

Grace,
Brian

Favorite Summer Meal

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Sizzling Tri-Tips! Yummmmmmm!

Sizzling Tri-Tips! Yummmmmmm!

Every now and again I need affirmation that you’re out there reading this; so I will post some sort of “comments needed blog” (though I love comments on any of my posts).  Here is one I hope produces some good thoughts.  The subject you need to comment on: Your Favorite Summer Meal!  

 

Last week in Scottsdale, with my Lifeboat (you can go back several posts and read through the entire trip), we ate a lot of meals at the rental house!  Because I did the menu I got to pick the things I like the most!  So, I’ll start the dialogue with my ultimate summer meal that I made (and I’m kept mine financially feasible, you can go over the top if you’d like):

Grilled (by me) Tri-tip steak from Costco, Large Russet Baked Potato (with butter, cheese, chives and sour cream), Corn on the Cob (though we didn’t do this in AZ)  and a Green Salad (with Ranch on the side).  I’ll go with an Arnold Palmer (combo of iced tea and lemonade) to drink.

Your turn, what is your ultimate summer meal?  

Grace,
Brian 

*I categorized this as a “contest” because if anyone wants to be the first to have the Aabys over for this Favorite Summer Meal, you win!  (you win nothing but a fun evening hosting us, but you still win.)

Traffic Report

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Does your spiritual life look like this?

Does your spiritual life look like this?

Ever been stuck in traffic?  Of course you have! We turn on the radio to find out 405 North is backed up for NO REASON, and that I-5 south has a jack-knifed semi-truck taking up all 5 lanes!

The “birds eye view” of a helicopter or a traffic cam give motorists the information they need in order to avoid the potential dangers and back-ups ahead.  They help us to take different routes and guide us to better roads.

In life we often need the birds-eye view of another person.  A week or so ago I spoke about “balance” and the struggle I sometimes have with the advice of one person that contradicts that of another (or my own).  But this outside perspective is very needed!  It is much like the traffic advisory.

This morning I had a phone call from a long-distance mentor.  Barry St. Claire is an older name in Youth Ministry.  He has written much and is a godly man.  I enjoy hearing his perspective on life and ministry.   Several months ago I was feeling convicted and felt a mentor would be helpful through this process of moving from being a pastor to a small business owner.  Barry has done exactly the same (several years ago) and done so with keeping his Lord and his family as his first priorities (as I desire to do). I sent him an email (I had gotten to know him a big a couple years ago) asking him to mentor me (explaining the reasons why).  Because of his own busy life, he told me he would pray about it… Well, eight months, five phone conversations and several email exchanges later, apparently he is still praying because he hasn’t said “yes,” or “no” to mentoring me. So this “non-mentorship” is working out quite well (exactly what I had hoped for)!

So here is my birds-eye view traffic report…  Life is busy, it is hectic, there are a lot of jack-knifed people out there and a lot of life’s roads are moving slowly because of our sin (and other’s sin)!  I hope you have others in your life that are helping direct, giving outside perspective and I pray we all will have the wisdom to receive godly counsel and apply it. If you don’t have a mentor/discipler, perhaps today is the day to ask someone?

Grace,
Brian