Category Aaby Family

Welcome to the new look and site!

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

I 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

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Sorry, 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

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Even 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?

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Sept. 26 and we're loving the outdoor dinner!

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

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.

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

we tied 1-1

Great times, but thankful to have Elisabeth and Audrey back!

Grace,
Brian

We walked about 3 miles on Saturday

We walked about 3 miles on Saturday

Ahh, classic nap time!

Ahh, classic nap time!

One Is Silver & The Other Gold

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Do 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

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

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

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

When One Part Suffers…

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As part of our “Launch” this summer the participants of Youthmark Mission Ventures were invited to participate in an initiative game I created years ago called, “One Body Experience.”  In this activity the students are given handicaps (according to their strengths; in other words, we took away their strength) and then told to complete a task as a large group.  The task for this summer was to make their lunch for the road.

At the conclusion of the activity we would read together, 1 Corinthians 12.  This chapter of Scripture is very powerful, very descriptive and cuts to the core of how the body of Christ should work together.  It is so fitting that the following chapter deals with LOVE!

This post is not about summer missions.  It is not about Youthmark training.

This post is about the body and how if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.

My friend Aaron Bauer’s mom, Jackie, is in need of a heart transplant.  She is from Bellingham and traveled over to Spokane for a consult.  She was admitted to the hospital as the specialist feared she would possible not even make the trip back.  She is scheduled for a difficult open-heart surgery on Thursday if she does not receive a new heart by then.  It is a difficult thing to pray, for a donor.  But if it is God’s will for the right donor (correct blood type, correct size, etc.) then may HE receive all the glory in the midst of a difficult circumstance.

One part of the body is suffering right now.  I pray that while we are weak, He will be strong.  That God would bless the surgeons in whatever the surgery is on Thursday.  That the Lord would comfort Aaron and his family and especially Paul (husband) and Jackie.

The family is looking for some short term housing options in Spokane as well, if you know of any, don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll get you in touch with Aaron.

If you’d like to pray more specifically for Jackie, click here.

Let’s be the body of Christ!

Grace,
Brian

The Latest Trip

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I was down in Southern California for the last couple of days.

Quick catch up:

Flew in on Tuesday night headed straight up to my in-laws and was able to catch the last few innings of the Mariners game (loss) in Anaheim.  A great steak salad (thanks Karen).

Wednesday met with a CPA (something about having a company and needing to pay taxes on stuff, wasn’t really paying attention?… I kid of course).  Worked on the prospectus for Youthmark Mission Ventures (coming along nicely) and had dinner with even more in-laws (a fantastic dinner, great laughter with the nephew and nieces).

Thursday drove south to the greater San Diego area, had a morning coffee with the Youth Pastor from Pine Valley (looks like they’re doing a YMV next summer), lunch with best-bud Jeramy at the Spaghetti Factory, coffee with Josh from Emmanuel Faith (Youth Pastor who did a Gulf Coast mission this last year) then dinner with Jeramy and Jerusha and family.  Jeramy and I caught a late-night movie then too (I honestly can’t remember the last time I went to a movie).

Brian and Jeramy, 9.11.09

Brian and Jeramy, 9.11.09

Friday I had a very relaxing time with Jeramy, lots of catching up and spurring each other on.  We went out to a local coffee place, Escondido Joe’s, for  long coffee (sat outside) then lunch at Chili’s (gotta love the bottomless chili and salad).  I am thankful that God allowed this time for us to catch up.  Was truly a rich time.

I was planning on seeing Paco (aka Daniel) up at Biola, but he’s not feeling well (I didn’t want to bring sickness home to the kids) and I seized the opportunity to fly home early (flight scheduled for 8:45 PM, home at 11:30, instead got on a flight at 3:30 and was home by 6:00).  I made it to the airport with maybe 15 seconds to spare (no kidding). Was able to share Jesus on the flight with my seat neighbor.

Landed at 6:00, which was perfect timing–some friends of ours from Phoenix are in town and had called when I was deciding on if I should come home early, they asked if we could have dinner tonight.  So, JP and Andrea picked me up, we picked up Qdoba and we got home just as Elisabeth and the kids were coming home from soccer practice (Halle).

So stoked to be home early!

Great week. I have a lot to get done as a result, but we blessed by time with extended family, work relationships, friends and now being home with my family!

Grace,
Brian

Our Week

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Here’s the pictorial of our week at the Aaby home.

ReLAUNCH launched our week last Sunday

ReLAUNCH launched our week last Sunday

Halle's first day of 2nd grade

Halle's first day of 2nd grade

Audrey began her soccer career with her first practice

Audrey began her soccer career with her first practice

Triple A then began Kindergarten

Triple A then began Kindergarten

We got to see King Felix pitch a gem

We got to see King Felix pitch a gem

And Will got dressed up for the Husky game (a valiant effort I might add).

And Will got dressed up for the Husky game (a valiant effort I might add).

Good times were had by all (Aabys).  Oh, and I got the garage cleaned and Elisabeth made Chili!  Extra bonuses for sure!

Grace,
Brian

She’s An Official Bike Rider

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Several weeks ago we began the endeavor of teaching Halle to ride her bike without training wheels.  She was a little nervous, but day-by-day we (my dad, her grandpa) were able to let go of the bike for longer amounts of time.  It took probably just three or four outings for her to really to ride on her own in a straight line.  She did great.

Over our vacation at Sunriver we took her bike and she really did well on a large loop around out neighborhood.  She perfected the art of small turns, but was too nervous to really do any turn-arounds.

Well, this last week she perfected the tight turn-arounds and I can proudly announce that she is an official bike-rider (for whatever reason the tight turn-around is what makes it official).  If I were the DBL (Department of Biking Licensing) she’d have her license.

"I'm Licensed by the DBL"

"I'm Licensed by the DBL"

My favorite moment came last week when we rode down to a neighbors house to exchange “who is your teacher” information with a schoolmate, the neighbor girl came outside and said, “wow, Halle, you can ride on two wheels already?”

Halle very humbly responded, “yep, but I just learned, so don’t worry about being late or anything.”

Proud Daddy moment number 5,634,363,645!

Grace,
Brian/Daddy