Category Home and Ministry

Mommy and Halle to the Zoo= Daddy + 2

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

I have a wonderful day in store, Elisabeth has volunteered with Halle’s class to the Zoo.  What a glorious Seattle day for that adventure.  I’m pretty excited for what it means for me as well.  I get to spend the entire day with Will and Audrey on an adventure of our own.  

There are a few things I still need to get done throughout the day so it’ll be fun to introduce the two to a couple of my regular Wednesday activities!  After breakfast and clean-up we plan on dropping by the Burien Network to hang with the 6-8 Youth Pastors I normally meet with on Wednesday.  We’ll probably cut this one short, because I don’t think those guys can keep up with the discussion topics Will plans to bring to the table today.

I need to swing by a T-Shirt place to pick up my summer missions t-shirts, so that will be fun for the kids to see how T’s are printed.  I then hope to treat the kiddo’s to lunch, depending on the time we’ll join the YP network at La Costa for some good Mexi-food or we’ll do some picnic stuff to a park. 

After a Will nap (and my opportunity to do a few tasks) I’ll take the kids to a park before we fry from the heat and come home to hear about the great zoo adventure!

Pretty excited for a GREAT Daddy, Audrey and Will day!

I have a couple important ministry posts coming over the next couple of days!  Stay tuned!

Grace,

Brian

The Weekend Report

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This last weekend was a great one!  Perfect NW weather, great mix of family time and task completion!  Here are the quick highlights:

Friday:  Halle was off of school so we got an early start out the door to Oregon.  Stopped for a couple hours in Portland for me to have a meeting with Ron Marrs, Youth Ministry Prof and friend from Western Seminary.  Elisabeth and the kids got to take in the Lloyd Center for lunch and some shopping.  Then, on the road to Eugene (where Elisabeth’s sister lives).  Unique experience with a waitress at El Torito (for some reason she couldn’t grasp that we had 6 of us, but insisted on us sitting at a 4 person table… ????)… Stayed up way too late watching the M’s pull out an extra-inning win.

Saturday:  Will doesn’t like sleeping in new places, so we didn’t get a great night of sleep; but we took turns with morning naps, so that helped.  In the afternoon I took the kids for a walk and Prince P’s (Ice Cream) so that Elisabeth and Anne could do some shopping and prep for Audrey’s birthday on Sunday.  After a great time with the kids I was able to sneak off to Starbucks and get a few hours of work done, including a fantastic talk with our contact in Kauai.  Saturday lunch and dinner was fajitas (leftovers for dinner)… I love Mexican food!  Went to bed somewhat early (11:00ish).

Sunday: Took off in the morning to do some more study and work on the devo’s for the mission trips, it’s fun to see the crowds at coffee shops on a Sunday morning, always wonder about church habits of those in the shops.  Had one or two conversations as people saw me studying the Word.  After Anne returned from her church I took Audrey out for her own Daddy-Daughter date.  We went to Old Navy (where she was to pick out her very own shirt) and then to a park.  We bought the rest of the family about an hour of time to set up for Audrey’s Birthday Formal Tea (lunch).  After a great birthday celebration (complete with presents) we cleaned up, went back to Prince P’s and then said our goodbyes for our drive home.  

On the way home we discovered that Portland has a Five Guys (Burger joint) as well.  Just off the 205 we happened upon because of a strong desire to use the restroom… low and behold, a Five Guys served a couple purposes!  Made it back by about 10:30 with three kids sawing logs in the back!

Monday: A great night of sleep (much needed). In the morning we went out to breakfast with our friends Jess and Alisha (and kids).  The afternoon was spent getting some work done and preparing for hosting a BBQ at our place.  The Schlauds and Heiders came over for a fun evening with some good food! 

What a fun unofficial beginning to the summer.  Much to do this week, but thought I’d take a few minutes to review and celebrate the weekend that was!

Grace,
Brian

Yard Work Analogy

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My Dad loves yardwork.

I don’t.

My parents keep a very “park like” yard all year round.

We don’t.

I wish we did, but that would require constant attention to our yard (stupid weeds!).  Instead of that constant attention, every now and then we do the all-day project on the yard to make it look good (but rarely great).  One of these days, I hope, I will start practicing the little disciplines that take 15-30 minutes a week in order to maintain the good/great looking yard.

You see, the yard analogy has transferred over to other areas in my life right now.  If I were to practice those little 15-30 minute disciplines per week in several other areas the following would probably take place:

  • I’d have a clean and maintained yard.
  • I’d have a clearly organized filing system for Youthmark.
  • I’d have a very functional and clean garage where everything had a place!
  • I’d be done with writing, edits, etc. in a very timely manner.
  • And several others…

Why did Adam and Eve take that fruit?  I blame them.  If it weren’t for that stupid fall I’d have it all together!  Right? 

Okay, so maybe I just need to go back and read this post and start practicing these things!

Grace,
Brian

Burgers: Top Five

Brian Aaby 4 Comments

Every now and then I like to create a little controversy with my blog… don’t know if this will be one of those times or not, but worth a shot.  

A couple months ago, while in Colorado Springs, I was able to take in a new Burger joint with my good friend Steve Burford.  Steve and I go all the way back to college where we enjoyed many an In-N-Out Burger (Double Doubles, of course).  Well, Steve introduced me to a new place: Five Guys.  This is no a “new place,” I believe it has East Coast roots.  Well, it was fairly new to the Springs.  It was wonderful, instantly cracking my “top 5” of fast food burgers.

I am proud to announce that Five Guys has made their way west and have landed in The Landing, in Renton.  In its first week at The Landing, Elisabeth and I have been there twice.  Re-affirming its “top 5” status.

So, without further ado, here is my current ranking of best Fast Food Burgers (qualifies as “fast food” only if you order and pick up at counter, no waiters/waitresses, and reasonable price comparisons to other fast food places).  Counting down from #5 to #1

 

#5

 

Another CA native, made its way north and worked its Magic.

Another CA native, made its way north and worked its Magic.

#4

 

Ahh, the Garlic fries make the cow taste better!

Ahh, the Garlic fries make the cow taste better!

#3

 

Little known, but worth going to the Seattle Center house for this!

Little known, but worth going to the Seattle Center house for this!

#2

 

Welcome to WA Guys!

Welcome to WA Guys!

#1

Only available in CA, AZ and NV... but worth the drive!

Only available in CA, AZ and NV... but worth the drive!

 

So, what do you think?  Is your list different? 

Happy eating!

Grace,
Brian

Book List

Brian Aaby 4 Comments

imagesI am currently reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  I have greatly been encouraged (and convicted) by it.  Francis is a very honest speaker/writer and I really appreciate the way he is living out his faith in his writing and pastoring.

Over the last few months I have asked the question of other youth pastors/leaders for the names of some of their favorite resources they are using in Youth Ministry.  This book was suggested more than once, therefore I picked it up and am reading it.  So the question I have for you, my faithful reading audience…

What book needs to be on my list?  

I am not a fast reader and I don’t read a ton, but I really do enjoy reading books others suggest for me.  So, what  do I need to read next and why?

Don’t only list a book, go and buy Francis’ book and read it!

Grace,
Brian

FoF Update Again

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What my Status Update looks like right now

What my Status Update looks like right now

 

 

The FoF (Faith on Facebook) Challenge is about 6 weeks old and I am very encouraged by the emails, texts and facebook messages I continue to receive. 

For those “not in the know,”  the FoF Challenge was given as the last message at each of the Youthmark Mission Venture training events.  Here were the dates/places people received the challenge:

April 3-4: Lake Retreat, 6 churches from Western WA received the challenge.

April 19: Escondido CA, the Emmanuel Faith group received the FoF Challenge.

April 25: Two Colorado Springs groups received it.

April 26: A group from Glenwood Springs was trained and received the challenge.

May 3: The Spring, TX group was challenged by the FoF

May 8-9: The remaining 12 churches from Western WA came to Lake Retreat and were given the FoF Challenge.

Participants are asked to donate their “Status Update” for a week, a month, or until their mission trip this summer.  In the update they are to write something along the lines of “Ask me about my FoF Challenge.”  In turn, Facebook friends do begin to ask about the FoF.  The trained missionary is then able to respond (usually in a private message) by saying something like: “The FoF is a Faith on Facebook Challenge I am taking, the challenge is to find out what my FB friends think of Jesus… so, what do you think of Jesus?  Who do you believe Him to be?”

The goal is to open up spiritual conversation between FB friends!  

It is working!

There is not a day that goes by I don’t receive some sort of FoF related question, comment, report, etc.  

I am proud of the FoF participants!

The neatest thing, I am finding the FoF is giving me more confidence offline too!  I am quicker to engage in spiritual conversation anywhere (as it should be)!

You wanna join the FoF revolution?  Jump on!

Grace,

Brian

Either Or

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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

Everyday Evangelism NOW

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

On Monday I decided to boldly wear my brand new Youthmark sweatshirt!  We launched our apparel line at the first Spring Retreat.  So, back to the sweatshirt… One of our shirts is bright yellow with “SENDME” embroidered  as a logo (it’s quite sharp if I don’t say so myself).

Like FoF (Faith on Facebook), this shirt caused people to question me.  I wore this shirt to my three office places on Monday (Burien Starbucks, Panther Lake Starbucks and Fairwood Starbucks), in all three places (and at Bank of America) I was able to share about Jesus because of the shirt.  Each place I was asked, “What is Send Me?”  Very cool!  In each of these conversations I was able to share about our mission trips, the call of Isaiah and the call on my life to be a witness for Jesus.

So, the cool thing about this shirt (and the other apparel), it gives us (Youthmark and the Aabys) our practical way to give to Charity Water (which I posted about yesterday).  All of the proceeds we get from these shirts we are giving directly to Charity Water and 300 Voices (the specific partner of Charity Water that Elisabeth is involved with).

Would you like the opportunity to support drilling wells in Africa and everyday evangelism in your Jerusalem (by simply wearing a shirt)?  Shoot me an email (brian@youthmark.com) and we’ll get you a shirt.

T-Shirts ($12) are navy blue with a Youthmark Mission Ventures logo.

Screened Hooded Sweatshirts ($25) are navy blue with the same logo as above.

Embroidered Hooded Sweatshirts ($30) are Gold with a black/white SENDME 2009 logo in a diamond on the front.

If you’re in the Seattle area we can arrange for a pick-up/drop off (as to not have to ship), but if you’re outside the area and want one let me know and we’ll figure out the shipping.

Let’s spread the great news of Jesus to all people!  Let’s be Jesus in the flesh by drilling for water in Africa!

Grace,

Brian

Everyday Evangelism and The Uttermost!

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If you read my blog entry yesterday you’ll understand a little of my philosophy of student missions. I love sending students out on missions, but I’d much rather see students living out the mission here.  Both are important and should not be separated.  In Acts 1:8, I believe, an “order” of witness was established.  The Lord said we (Christians) will be His witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Uttermost (ends of the world).  

As you read Acts, we see that this is exactly what happens (and in that order).  So, application time.  We ought to be witnesses in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.  It starts where you are.

So, the FoF (Faith on Facebook) challenge was issued.  

Another thing that was “launched” this weekend was our support (mainly through Elisabeth) of charity water.  We want our participants to know/understand that missions is not just here (our Jerusalem).  I’ll probably make a separate post on this later.  But please check out the website and educate yourself and/or check out this video below (note: this is just one country in Africa).

We want to give you the opportunity to support charity water and the efforts of Youthmark at the same time… this can lead to Everyday Evangelism!  I will share about that in tomorrows post!

Grace,
Brian

Still Here

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I haven’t forgotten about my faithful blog.  I just have had a couple things going on here (quick update with the hope of posting more about missions and such later)…

Halle’s fever has broken, but stayed home from school one last day today (hope she can go tomorrow).

Working on the spring retreat (everything from talks, to cabin assignments to worship sets).

Following up with people from the NW Ministry Conference I spoke at last week.

Outlining the next Mission Prep Workbook (for 2010).

Researching for a different writing process (more on this later?).

Trying to sneak in a few alone and reflective times with the Lord and planning and scheming to try to get Elisabeth some of that alone time she needs too!  She is the best!

Hope all is well for you, appreciate your prayers.

Grace,

Brian