Skydive Video

David Tatum Skydive Monterey from David Tatum on Vimeo.

Skydive!!!

Going to Africa

I am on my way to Africa tomorrow.  Visit this blog for updates and info.

www.hoperisesafrica.blogspot.com

POWDER DAY!

So I check the Sierra Summit phone line last night and it said that they had received 17 inches since Thursday.  I woke up this morning to an updated phone message that boasted an additional 14-18 inches overnight!!!  I was excited to say the least.

I piled in the car with some boys (Evan, Mitchell, Tim) this morning and headed up the hill . Above shaver we had a fun little experience as we saw a four-runner coming around a long arching turn.  Our eyes locked on the vehicles back wheels as we all realized this four runner was coming at us at about 60 mph playing tokyo drift around the corner down hill on a street of snow.  There was nothing left to do but react.  We watched as the back tires caught, straightening out the truck and driving it straight into the snow bank on the other side of the road creating a huge fog of snow.  The truck dug in and started to turn sideways, about to take up both lanes.  Evan slammed on the gas and presto we were through the mess.  (Kuddos to Evan for saving the day with some quick subaru ninja action!)  We all looked in the rearview mirror after the nascar style action and thought...."should we stop?"....   Naaaaaa the car didn't flip, they looked ok and we might be temped to punch them out for almost running into us, and after all .........it was panning out to be an epic powder day!

The day was marvelous!  The conditions were great with clean powder almost all day long.  We got some hiking in, a lot of action on "The Face", and tons of clean lines.  It was a day to remember.  Oh yeah and i almost forgot....this sweet shot of me dropping the cliffs off to the left of chair 5.  First tracks baby!!!!!

Family

It's that time of year again where we spend time over the holidays with friends and family.  My mom has been rummaging through the old family photos and found this one of my brothers and I.  Typical snapshot of the Tatum boys.  It has been so good to be back in Fresno close to family.  I am glad that we have been able to spend time together now that Jenn and I are closer.  Especially now that we have Kaleb and Abby as a part of our family its great to have all the Aunts and Uncles and Grandma and Grandpas close.  

When I look at this photo I feel so blessed that my brothers and I have the relationships that we do.  I know so many people who's family's have broken relationships and people never speak to one another.  I am so glad that as brothers we have the bond that we do and I pray that we never lose that!  I hope we turn 40 and are still wrestling around on the floor when we see each other.  (Sorry Megan its what we do)  I hope we continue to find time to play together and snowboard and all the other expensive sports that our father raised us doing that we can no longer afford to do now that we have left the nest.  

Matt and Megan.... See you soon, hopefully we can make it down to your pad soon.

Luke... Have fun in your last semester, but not to much you still have to graduate 

Much Love

Kaleb and Abby Pics

Here are some more recent pics of the kiddos

Kaleb still loves to stand on daddys hands

Abby enjoying bath time

Kaleb is being good big brother!

I love my sister

All smiles

Abby's silly face.  She likes to stick her tongue out at daddy

Of course i am handsome I'm a Tatum!

To Vote or not to Vote?

Its voting time and people are flocking to the booths to cast their ballots.  I personally have chosen to abstain from voting once again.  I have had several conversations with people some very fruitful others awkward and frustrating about voting.  For most people they believe it is their duty to vote for a candidate.  I choose instead to vote with my whole being, everyday for Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  

Some random thought and topics i have been discussing today:

-My allegiance is to the kingdom of God

-National borders are fictional lines in the sand of Gods creation

-There is no biblical mandate to vote

-A two party system is inherently flawed 

-We are called to be subversive to empires not serve them

-God defines marriage, not a nation state

Derek Webb has some very interesting things to say on the topic that i resonate with.

Teaching at FPU

This weekend I am teaching at Fresno Pacific University as an adjunct professor.  This is my first time teaching a college level course!  It has been a lot of fun getting back into the academic environment.  I am teaching a class called "Jesus and the Christian Community".  We are walking through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus predominately through the lense  of the Gospel of Matthew.  This has been such a great opportunity and I am looking forward to doing it more often.  I have always wanted to both pastor and teach and I am getting to do both.

FPU is in the South east part of Fresno near Sunnyside High School where I have recently been part of a church plant.  The Well Community Church has launched a multi-site at the high school and I am working as a worship pastor there.  It has been great to spend time here in and around the community that I am pastoring in, especially in a teaching role.

Update on Abby

Sorry it took so long to update again. Abby and Jenn were released from the hospital on Sunday morning. They are both home and doing great! Abby saw the doctor yesterday and she has gained 2 ounces since Sunday, which is a good thing. Her color is looking great and she is adjusting well. Kaleb is doing good as well adjusting to being a big brother and a helper for mommy and daddy.  Jenn is recovering well from surgery and is already walking up and down the stairs.

 

Here is the Family in the hospital

Kaleb couldn't wait for Abby to get out of her chair so he could take it for a test drive

Kaleb held his little sister for the first time and was gentle with her

Abby is such a great sleeper and she loves to just lounge, kick back and relax

Thanks again for your prayers!

David and Jenn

Abby Update September 20th

Here is the update for today.  Abby is doing well and getting better all the time.  Her breathing and eating have improved and she is almost in our room for good.   As you can see Jenn penciled in the plan for the day "Get Abby Out" of the nursery.  I was able to stay the night with her last night and she did great through the night. 

Here is our first picture with all three of us together.

If you would like to visit give my cell phone a call and we can talk about what might work.  We should be leaving the hospital tomorrow morning if all goes according to plan.