Author Brian Aaby

Odd Combinations

Brian Aaby 7 Comments

Every now and then I’ll be standing in line at Starbucks and I’ll hear an order shouted out which just doesn’t seem right… like the “10 pump Vanilla, three sugar, breve latte” (hmm, you think that guy likes it sweet?).  Or a Soy Chai Latte with three pumps chocolate?  Tea with chocolate?  Seriously?  

So, it got me thinking, what odd combinations do I like?  What food combinations do I put together which could make people want to think twice about my sanity and/or taste buds?  I’ve listed a few of mine, you have any?

1. I love mustard on my fries (regular yellow mustard, prefer Heinz).

2. Another mustard one, only this time spicey brown mustard on nacho cheese doritos (even better on spicier nacho cheese doritos).

3. As a cool “diet” item, I love blueberry (or another cool fruit) yogurt spread on blueberry corncakes (rice cakes will suffice if corn isn’t available).

4. Just discovered this one last night; Tapatio Hot Sauce on Papa Murphy’s Pepperoni Pizza (props to John Scott for introducing this one to me).

5. This one is another specific brand… I like Baked Cheetos dipped in Quiznos Honey Mustard sauce (I can do Nacho Cheese Doritos with it too, but prefer the baked Cheetos).

Honorable mention (though I had no idea anyone would think it was odd until Elisabeth informed me): French onion dip with pretzels.

Okay, which ones are gross to you and/or what are your odd combinations?

Hope for some good participation so that I can try some good stuff (just stay away from seafood, it doesn’t go well with ANYTHING!!!)… ha, feel free to list anything!

Grace,

Brian

Benefits of Networking

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In May of 1995 I was a brand new Youth Pastor in Roseburg, Oregon when I received a phone call from the local Youth For Christ guy inviting me to Mom’s Cafe.  This is where the local Youth Pastor network met once a month for breakfast.  I felt a little bit like the new kid at the new school when I walked into the cafe and heard the laughter of men who were obviously familiar with one another.  I was welcomed well.  They each took the time to introduce themselves and I was given a few minutes to tell my story as well.

After the highly greasy, yet very good, breakfast, Kirk Petersen approached me with his business card in hand and said, call me, I’ll treat you to lunch.  Having been a starving student just 2 weeks prior, I took him up on his offer (I think I waited a full day before calling him, didn’t want to be too forward).  Kirk (and subsequently the entire YP network) welcomed me to Roseburg and the ministry in a very genuine way.

To this day, Kirk is a great friend.  He is now in Portland and still in ministry (though not youth).  He and the other guys in Roseburg helped set a standard of excellence I strive for in networking… that is, to be Biblical. In Acts 2 we read about the believers being devoted to each other, the Apostles teaching, to breaking of bread and to prayer.  Obviously we are supposed to experience this within the context of our local body.  But the refuge aspect of having this outside of your body was very needed for me in Youth Ministry.  

For the last four plus years I have been networked locally with the guys in West Seattle/Burien/Des Moines.  In fact, I am at Olympic Coffee right now, where we have met for the last couple years.  It has been my prayer that I could be a “Kirk Petersen” to the guys in my local network.  I hope the new guys feel welcome and the old guys continue to be devoted to one another, prayer and to the breaking of bread.  We too, have that familiar laugh of men (and ladies) that know each other.   We enjoy being a refuge for one another and we occasionally partner together by doing events for the greater local body!  

It is my hope to be even more involved with networking through Youthmark.  I am a member of the National Network of Youth Ministry, and one things I’d like to see happen the the greater south-end is to see some stronger Youth Ministry networking take place.  Pray that I can help get those started/strengthened.

Whether you’re involved in youth ministry or not, I hope you have a network of people you can do life with. One in which you can spur each other in the Word, spend time in prayer, laugh together (and probably cry too) and, of course, break bread!

Though only one other guy showed up this morning (way to go Schlaud), we will still “break bread” together… off to our favorite local eatery, La Costa! One of the greatest benefits of networking!

Grace,

Brian

Prayer Update

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It’s been about a week since my trip to LA.  I came back from the trip very focused on what needed to get done in a three week period.  I quickly realized, three weeks was actually about two weeks because of my lifeboat (small group) trip in early August.  It has gone well, though distractions come up and I need that kick in the backside every now and then to remain focused (hoping your prayers will aid in that kick).

Since many of my readers have committed to be prayer partners for me/us/youthmark I think it would be good to post a prayer update from time to time.  I’ll try to do this often (perhaps once a week).  So here is the current prayer list:

  • Writing project is right on schedule, pray I continue to work diligently on this project.
  • Missions project is a little behind; pray for a good dedicated time of concentration so I can get ahead. This means setting aside about 3-4 hours to work only on this to feel I have a good grasp on progress.
  • Biking, I did really well the first few days, need to get back on the bike today to avoid it becoming a streak of days not riding.
  • We had a list of four churches in our area we had on our initial church-search list.  We have seen all four now, and over the next month we will re-visit a couple.  I am also privileged to be preaching at Boulevard Park next week (Aug. 3) and I will be out of town for one Sunday (visiting a PHX trip with my lifeboat guys).  Pray for the right fit for us, where we can be fed and feed.
  • Family life is going well.  Really enjoying consistently being home in the evening with the family!  Pray for our wisdom in parenting.
  • Several outside prayer requests others have let me know about, lift up these specific situations for my friends:  Two friends contemplating job changes.  A friend who has a loved one with cancer.  A friend who just transitioned to a new job.  Many friends leaving on a youth group trip this Sunday.  A wedding I am doing this weekend and the foundation of their new life together.  
Thanks for your prayers for me, my family and our new ministry!
Grace,
Brian 

Logic wins.

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We were on our way over to my parents house the other day to drop off the girls for our anniversary.  Here is a dialogue worth remembering:

Halle: Are finger prints the same on every finger?

Daddy: Nope, I don’t think so.

Halle: Why not?

Mommy: Because God made them unique for each finger, just like He made them unique for each person.  Did you know that NOBODY else has the same finger prints as you?

Audrey: I want someone else to have the same finger prints as me.  I do.

Daddy: Audrey, you don’t want anyone else to have the same prints as you

(here is where I knew I could confuse her, but wanted to teach her about CSI or something… great wisdom on my part huh?)…

You see Audrey, let’s say someone else did have the same finger prints as you, and they came over and stole two cookies out of our cookie jar.  And the only way we could find out who took the cookies was to test the finger prints.  The test would come back and because you have the same prints, you could be blamed for stealing the cookies, even though you didn’t.

Halle: Daddy, we don’t have a cookie jar.

Point well taken Halle, point well taken.

Contest

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Elisabeth and I had a wonderful day/evening anniversary celebration.  Spent some time at the Mercer Island Starbucks just chatting and doing a little work (she was reading for a meeting she has with a girl she meets with/disciples).  Good relaxing time.  Then we went to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse for a WONDERFUL dinner.  We had never eaten at one before.

We were blessed with some gifts at our going away party at BPPC and felt so fortunate to have such a treat last night!  The steak was soooo good!

Anyway, we had a “Brush with fame” last night as we sat next to two celebrities.  I will update with hints until somebody wins the free Coffee Card up for grabs.  Name both of the celebrities.

Who am I?

Who am I?

 

And who am I?

And who am I?

I’ll slowly add more clues:

1. Similar to the last contest

2. TV

3. These two were in Seattle because ESPN was in Anaheim (Los Angeles)

***WINNER***

Congrats to Nathan Schlaud.  Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo are the TV commentators for the Boston Red Sox. Because ESPN was doing the game on Sunday these two were “off.”  The funny thing, not only did they not have the game on Sunday, but Saturday FOX was doing the LA/BoSox game too, so they actually had two days off!  We chatted a couple minutes.  Nice guys who felt bad for Seattle fans! 

Nathan, a coffee card is coming your way soon.

Grace,
Brian

Twelve

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Normally, 21 is my favorite number.  However, for the day I am going to reverse those two digits and make 12 my favorite.

Why?

Because today is our 12th anniversary!  12 years ago today (10:30 AM Mountain Time, 9:30 AM Pacific) Elisabeth Stimer and I became man and wife.  We were married at Shove Chapel (pronounced like “show” but with the v at the end) in Colorado Springs, CO.

My parents are going to take the girls for the afternoon/evening and we’ll take Will on an adventure to Pike Place/downtown, enjoy some coffee time, and a nice dinner out!  The weather looks like a perfect match to that in Colorado 12 years ago (only we had huge thunderstorms in the evening).  

Besides salvation and a relationship with Jesus, Elisabeth is the best gift I could have ever received.  I am thankful for these 12 years and the many more to come!  I love you Elisabeth!

Here is a pic of Shove Chapel!

Grace,
Brian

Shove Chapel, Colorado Springs

Shove Chapel, Colorado Springs

Looking Forward… Halle

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I have enjoyed my first three weeks of blogging, much has happened in my life in these three weeks.  From time-to-time I think I will have a post entitled, “Looking Back.”  However, today I am starting a new series called, “Looking Forward (with a subtitle as well).”  Every now-and-again, I’ll post a few things happening in the next days, weeks, months or even years which get me pretty excited.  And before you go verse quoting on me, yes, I am aware of the verses which speak about not worrying about tomorrow, etc… these are just fun dreams so don’t be a party-pooper!

So, here’s the first with the subheading of “Halle”

(ALL of todays “Looking Forward” pertain to Halle)

In the next…

…hour I am looking forward to going in our kid pool with Halle and hearing her giggle and practice her “eyes in” (going under water).

…day I am looking forward to Halle telling us what she learned at her Sunday School class.  We are checking out our third new church and she is quite the trooper.  She normally can recite about everything the teacher has said (so be prepared if we come visit your church!).

…week I am looking forward to a daddy-daughter date with Halle to just spend some one-on-one time with her.  I think we’ll do either Baskin Robbins or Coldstone, these seem to be her favs right now.

…month I am looking forward to taking Halle camping to Lake Kachess.  She and her sister will head up with me (and my dad, brother and a few others).  I can’t wait to see her explore the woods, splash in the lake, hike the trail and read by the fire!

…year I look forward to her first grade year with Mommy as her teacher.  I think she is going to learn so much and her creative juices will never cease to amaze me.

Father, I am so thankful for my family and I pray your blessing upon Halle today!  Thank you for the gift she is to me, Elisabeth, Audrey, Will and so many others!  

Perhaps you’ll take a minute to lift up my daughter in your prayers! 

Grace,

Brian

 

Halle Grace!

Halle Grace!

It’s Like Riding A Bike!

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Today is the day!  Yep, going to do it… I think.

Discipline: Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement (and in my case add “physical” and “spiritual” improvement).

As I posted before, the next three weeks are going to be quite busy.  I have a fun trip with my old small group (Lifeboat) coming up in early August (a last hoorah of sorts). In order to get everything done that needs to get done I decided the best thing for me to do would be to put together a “to do” list for each of the next 15 days or so.  Discipline produces discipline for me.  If I am discipline in my spiritual life, it usually means I am disciplined in the other areas of my life (and vice versa).  So to that end, about two-thirds of those 15 days listed includes a bike ride.  Because when I am disciplined in my physical life (eating habits and exercise) I am typically disciplined in the other areas as well.  

I desire to be disciplined w/o being legalistic.  I desire to have structure w/o having too much of a check-list mentality.  I must show myself grace, but not abuse that grace!

 

It'll hurt, but the pain will be worth it!

It'll hurt, but the pain will be worth it!

So, today is the day.  I have already accomplished a few things on my “to do” list for today (but not the bike yet).  A lot of times my spiritual life is a lot like riding a bike too, sometimes I just need to get on the trail. Perhaps this can be an encouragement to you today!  Get back on your bike (physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.)  

It’s time for me to get in shape… and may that shape be different than round!

Grace,

Brian

Trip Report

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I am posting from the Promenade Starbucks (very close to LAX) as I prepare to fly home from a wonderful two days of meetings down in SoCal.  Two weeks ago, as I began this venture full time, I knew some of the things I wanted to get started on.  These last two days were affirming and inspiring. I am very excited about the first two projects I will be working on (more so than before).

The first is the mission component.  Over the next three weeks I will have a far more intensive plan and even some of the beginning promotional materials developed.  Please pray specifically for the details to come together (many contacts to make, arrangements to be made and the financial commitments to be worked out).

The second is the completion and expansion of my original Youthmark Product.  It is a series of Guided Studies on the Life of Christ.  The expansion is exciting but will mean that at least half of my time over the next three weeks (have to meet a deadline) will be dedicated to this project. 

I really would appreciate your prayers for both of these projects and as the release dates and promotional materials are developed I can speak more specifically about each of these.  

Off to In-N-Out for the obligatory and much appreciated Double Double (weight watchers to begin again AFTER the trip!!!!).

Grace,
Brian