Category Home and Ministry

New Things This Weekend

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

This weekend I get to experience (or already have experienced) a few new things that have me pretty pumped.

They are:

1. I plan to start reading Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of The Holy Spirit by Francis Chan.  Thouroughly enjoyed Crazy Love by Francis (his first book) so I am super excited for this one.

2. I experienced my first “Men’s Breakfast” at our new church.  Aaron and Kevin did a fantastic job inspiring the men to get beyond the one-upsmanship which exists in much of the church (and manhood).  I really liked it because I sat at a table where I only knew one person, and got to know a few guys.

3. I just purchased the new (to me) Hillsong United album.  Playing it right now, really like it already. Great inspiration as I continue the writing of Story: The Mission Prep Workbook (my new book… continuing with the “new” theme).

Three cheers for new things!

Grace,
Brian


Quick Monday Thoughts…

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

Very sad about the incident yesterday in Lakewood…

In light of that news I am very motivated to get the Good News out about Jesus, because the world is a crazy place and you never know when something like this will happen.  What an opportunity for Christians to come alongside others and lovingly embrace the lost and share the One hope we have in this world!

Very thankful for a good four day break where I spent way more time with family than I did behind the keyboard.

Was able to get several other tasks taken care of as well at home during the break (office is 90% done–this used to be the homeschool room, which used to be the dining room which used to be…), raked a great number of leaves, took the family out to get our Christmas tree and even got in a bike-ride on my soggy path!

Very much appreciative of the prayer coverage for the writing, I believe the Lord is answering through some of the creative thoughts I have had recently.  Pray now that they translate to paper (or keyboard at least).

After three or four straight meals with Turkey and the fixins, I was craving Mexican food… that craving was cured in the form of Chicken Fajitas, yummm!

Looking forward to the week ahead, have a lunch in Portland on Thursday and several other appointments with Youth Leaders to talk about YMV’s for 2010.

Had a great meal with the Bauers yesterday after church.  They are a great family.

My wife is having iPhone issues… that’s not fun, hope to get that fixed ASAP.

Excited to hang with students tonight at an all-area Young Life Club.

Looking forward to the season finale of The Amazing Race on Sunday… it’s been a great season.

That’s about it for my Monday thoughts.

Oh, loved the WAIT contest, scroll down to see all the comments and the winner!

Grace,
Brian

What’s New in Thanks?

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

Very thankful for this gang!

The question that we are all answering today: “what are you thankful for?” is a great question to ask.  I hope it is one each of is giving much thought and also responding in praise and in actually giving thanks.  Of course my relationship with Jesus and my ever growing affection and love for my family always top the list!

I thought I’d throw a little twist to the question for my blog today… so take the time to comment if you’d like as I will below.

What are you thankful for this year that was not on your radar screen last year?

This question caused me to think even more… the question, worded differently could read, “what’s new in your life this year that you are thankful for?”  Or perhaps, “what are you now thankful for that you were not in the past?”  You see, I can think of several things for each of these different questions… such as new life, trials, etc.

2009 YMV's gave me much experience!

As for my answer... I’m very thankful for is the new knowledge I have and the learning curve I experienced in the last year withYouthmark.  It has been a wonderful, but trying year.  When James says, “consider it pure joy when you face various trials” I often want to mock that statement.  It is a very hard thing to do!  However, I am thankful for all the trials of 2009 (as well as all the great things). However, many of the trials are what have brought me newfound wisdom and experience.  I am thankful for these experiences that I think will make 2010 an even better year!

 

What about you?  What wasn’t on your radar screen last year that you are now thankful for today?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace,
Brian

Covering the Writing!

Brian Aaby 13 Comments

With this post I want to “rally the troops”  Are you willing to be one of troops?  I hope so, please comment at the end!

I know that God delights in our prayers and I am hoping He will delight in your prayers on behalf of the writings for the training manuals, devotionals and foll0w-thru materials Youthmark will produce for the 2010 YMV’s.

One MAJOR area of emphasis we place on the training side of the mission trip is prayer.  We encourage each participant to have 20+ prayer partners.  Well, I’m looking for the same as I endeavor to get the majority of the writings completed for the 2010 YMV season in the next three weeks.  Will you cover a day (or more) in prayer?  There is no expectation as to what “covering” looks like, you make your prayer time what you want it to be for that day/those days.

storyFrom November 17-December 8, I plan to really “go for it” to get each of the below listed publications finished (they are all in various stages of completion).

  • Story: The Mission Prep Workbook. This is the training workbook for each participant, using Acts 6-13 as the guiding section of Scripture.
  • Partnerships.  This is a new publication for Youthmark, this is a complete guide to mission support (prayer and financial).
  • The Leaders Guide 2010. This notebook is the Youth Leaders Guide to all things Admin and Leadership for the 2010 YMV’s.

threebooksOn the Radar: As soon as each of the above are completed we turn our attention to RoadGrip, HomeBase and Merge for 2010.

How Can You Partner?

Will you sign up to be a primary prayer partner for any of the following days?  I will update the list as folk commit to praying.  In committing to pray for one (or more) of the days, I will do my best to shoot you a specific prayer request for that day (clueing you in on the specific project I am working on that day).  I have listed the weekend days as well because at times I will be writing, but primarily I will have the people signed up for these days praying for my time with my family.

You can “sign up” by either commenting on this post, shooting me a FB message or an email (brian{at}youthmark{dot}com). I will update the list of people with first names only.    When you comment on the blog I have access to your email address you listed to register a comment (so, no need to list your email in a comment).  Don’t hesitate to sign up for a day already taken, I want multiples!

I hope to get as many people covering the writing, as I believe through His Word and by His Spirit there is a mighty work of God in store for the participants! I want you to be a part of that process!

Prayer Coverings For Each Day:

Tuesday, Nov. 17: Aimee, Stephen

Wednesday, Nov. 18: Aimee, Stephen

Thursday, Nov. 19: Aimee, Stephen

Friday, Nov. 20: Micah & Rebecca, Stephen

Saturday, Nov. 21: Christie, Stephen

Sunday, Nov. 22: Michelle, Stephen

Monday, Nov. 23: Michelle, Stephen

Tuesday, Nov. 24: Michelle, Matt

Wednesday, Nov. 25: Brad

Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving): Weston

Friday, Nov. 27: Micah & Rebecca

Saturday, Nov. 28: Christie

Sunday, Nov. 29: Wes

Monday, Nov. 30: Wes

Tuesday, Dec. 1: Ricky

Wednesday, Dec. 2: Brad

Thursday, Dec. 3: Ricky

Friday, Dec. 4: Micah & Rebecca

Saturday, Dec. 5: Maureen

Sunday, Dec. 6: Maureen, Rachel

Monday, Dec. 7: Gene, Rachel

Tuesday, Dec. 8: Gene, Rachel

I’ll keep updating as people sign up.  Don’t hesitate to sign up for more than one day.  I’ll shoot an email to you on the day(s) you signed up, or the evening before your date.

Grace,
Brian

A WAY more important post than mine!

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

Hey Friends!

As some of you know, last year Youthmark was a sponsor of and tried to get the word out for Charity:Water.  Well, we are once again (the Aabys and Youthmark) trying to spread the word.

Please go to Elisabeth’s blog, RIGHT NOW, seriously, RIGHT NOW… Click HERE if you don’t know how to get there.  She has something way more important to say than anything you can read here right now!

Go.

Grace,
Brian

The Needed Sunday

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

I’m coming off of a terrific weekend, and in particular a Sunday that was very needed.

My brother-in-law flew up from Southern California to spend the weekend with us.  He and I have been in the same Fantasy Basketball league for the last several years; this year we decided to do a live draft and get everyone together.  Scott made the trip up to spend time with the family here and get to meet (in person) all the others in the league.

We had a great time together the whole time, but Sunday was the best and very needed for me.

It’s been a busy/hectic/stressful last couple weeks for me.  It seems like a lot of Youthmark stuff was all coming together and once and if I wanted to every waking minute could be spent doing Youthmark related projects. So, Scott’s visit couldn’t have come at a worse, or better time!  It forced me to take a break, relax and just be!  Sunday specifically was that forced break.

We started the day by picking up my Dad (Mom was out of town) and had my family and Scott go up to 67, for Breakfast.  Great grub and awesome atmosphere.  Got back in time for second service at church.  Came home for lunch and some relax time before heading over to another church to play basketball with all the guys from our fantasy league.   Because I’ve gotten in good physical shape (a shape other than “round”), I was able to play well (at least I had my stamina).

After hoops Scott and I came back to finish the prep work for dinner with all the guys back at my house.  Grilled up some steak and chicken and really enjoyed the fellowship with all the FBL guys!  After dinner we had the Fantasy League Draft and a lot of laughter!

I didn’t do a thing for Youthmark (okay, snuck in a couple quick emails that needed to be tended to, but never really had to think too much).  It was a wonderful break!

Oh wait, almost forgot, as I was getting ready for bed I saw on someone’s Tweet that U2 had a live feed of their LA concert on Youtube!  Elisabeth and I watched most of it online, we lost sleep, but oh boy, it was worth it!

Refreshing to get back at it today.  Please pray for a the upcoming lunches and that those who come to preview Youthmark Mission Ventures would see a great potential partner in Youthmark!

Grace,
Brian

Weekend Highlights

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

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

You Could Help!

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

Next Saturday, October 10, 2009 I will speaking at an event entitled, EXPOSED. You might be able to help me with some of the content for this seminar geared toward helping parents, teachers and even teens become more knowledgeable about Teens & Tech.

So, if you are a teen or young adult who is pretty savvy on the net, please consider a way you might be able to help and contact me at my email (brian at youthmark dot com).

There are three ways that jump out at me as ways you may be able to contribute before, during and after the event.

  1. Written testimonies (things you have encountered or know about on the net, texts, gaming, etc.) that would help others become more knowledgeable in thesse areas.  These can be positives and negatives.
  2. You may be willing to be part of a small panel, for a Q&A time during the seminar.
  3. You may be willing to shoot a video testimony of things you have encountered (we’d do this Tuesday or Wednesday somewhere in the Valley to make it do able for anyone in the greater Seattle area, but specifically all of us on the south end).

Some of the things that could prime-the-pump to get your thoughts moving…

What do adults not know about the Internet and Technology that they should know?

What would your social life look like without the Internet or your cell?

These stories should be specific to any of the following:

Email, Instant Messaging, Gaming, Live Chats, Facebook, MySpace, Texting/Sexting, blogs, online predators/stalking, Internet Bullying & Harassment, etc.

If you are interested in helping please do let me know (I’d prefer you respond via email).  The main seminar is from 1:00-4:00 PM next Saturday, however there is training seminar for the Family Academy teachers from 10:00 to Noon, so there are options for two different times to help.

If nothing else, could I solicit your prayers for this event and to help those in need gain exposure in these areas?

Grace,
Brian

Those Who Have Kids or Work With Youth

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

Next Saturday, October 10, 2009 I will be speaking at an event hosted by Family Academy.

EXPOSED is the name of the event is geared for parents, youth workers, teachers and even students who want to be educated on the technologies our teens are dealing with and the potential dangers, snares and positives these technologies may produce.

Take a look at their website and click on the flyer on the right to get all the information.  I’d be excited to see you at the event.  It’s an honor to be asked to speak!

Grace,

Brian