Hola!

Today I find myself in Mexicali, Mexico. I'm here with a group from First Covenant Church of Sacramento and it is hot! I wish I could wear shorts, but for some reason they have this rule that we must all wear pants... always. They say it's a culture and respect thing and I can understand that. But I wonder, when culture changes, will we still be "wearing pants?" What I have seen and experienced in most American churches is that we are missing a huge demographic: the young adults... 20-35 years old. I attribute this to the fact that many churches are still "wearing pants" when we should all be wearing "shorts and tank tops." I'm not saying that we should embrace "G-string bikinis and speedos" but rather, do not hold onto traditions that don't matter. We have become culturally irrelevant as a whole, and when I do see churches try to be relevant, many times they do this at the cost of teaching the Bible. I believe that the Bible is relevant, applicable and alive today. To be relevant all we have to do is love people, meet their needs, and read the Bible!

As we move into a post-Christian society, I hope and pray that God will draw all to him. I pray for peace and grace, and for God to be glorified!

Life is Like Tetris

I realized a while back that life is like Tetris. At least that's how I play the game. When I have to pack my car... Boom. Spacial Tetris. When I have 4 things to do with only 46 minutes to do them... Boom. Time Tetris. When my friend and I are having a conversation... Boom. Auditory Tetris.

Things come at me, I move them around in order to fit efficiently together in my screen view of life. But I found out something... Not everyone likes to play Tetris. Maybe I should stop playing and just surf.

Hey Friends

Life is in constant movement. I know this sounds like common knowledge, but I feel that so many of us work super hard at trying to make ourselves comfortable and stable. I was talking with a wise friend the other day and he said, "You are either progressing, or you are digressing."

I had to think about that for a moment. I thought... I work so hard at making things happen, or I work so hard towards planning an event, and then... It comes, it goes, and it's over. If I sit too long focusing on it, what just happened, thinking how cool it was, and how I should do it again, I'll slip into stopping progression. It's good to look back and evaluate, but I need to keep moving forward, keep growing.

This pertains to everything... Music, surfing, physical fitness, my spiritual growth in relationship with God, knowledge, etc.

I want to keep moving forward. I want to see new ways I can serve and love people.

Let's not be stagnant. Let's not be comfortable. Let the progress commence.

Grace and Peace,
Dave

Purpose

I'm not here to make fans.
I'm not here to promote myself.
I just want to share the peace and joy I've found
In a man named Jesus Christ.

I'm on a mission, and I won't stop until I'm told.
It's bigger than culture, it's bigger than a career,
It's bigger than myself and what I can do
My mission is the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19

Don't follow me, come with me
Alongside me as we follow Jesus together
Hand in hand, listening and led by the Spirit of Our living God
Listen...

-dave

Goodbye, Santa Cruz

August begins a new chapter for me. I moved from Santa Cruz to La Jolla. I'm living near the village with 5 other cool guys that are pursuing dreams. One guy is an artist, one a theologian, 4 of us musicians... It's an inspiring place to be.

Hilo Hawaii feels like home

I've been here in Hilo for a month and a half now and I'm beginning to count down the days until I head back to CA. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that I will be spending more extended time in this town in the future. I have come to love the friendly people, the good food, the wonderfully warm weather, the fun surf, the beautiful views, spending time with extended family, and so much more... It's going to be really hard to leave.



My schedule has been something like this: wake up, eat poptarts, get coffee, surf, go home and do yard work, go back and surf again, eat dinner at Uncle Morgan's house, sleep, and then repeat. It's a good life.

In Hawaii for 2 weeks already

I'm loving it!!! I've been surfing almost everyday, hanging out with family, surfing more, and trying to write new songs. It's been so relaxing. Here are a few more pics of things I've seen and people I've hung out with.

Me, Pono, and Rylee

Uncle Morgan

Grandma and Aunty Ung. Please pray for Aunty Ung. She's really sick.

On Pono's birthday I played for his class as a birthday treat.

The Nephews tire me out. :)

I've been hanging with my cousins, Missy and Troy, and their two kids Pono (8) and Rylee (3). These kids are filled with unending energy and I'm starting to feel like I can't keep up. Haha. Here's a video of us driving to the beach.

Moving to Hawaii for 2 months!!!

I leave in 2 days for Hawaii!!! I can't wait. I'm taking a break from doing the music business for a while and I'll be staying with my grandmother in Hilo, HI. I'll post pics and keep updating on fun adventures I have.

If you are bored, check out my youtube and donut blog!

Changing things around...

Today I am packing all my stuff from my house in Scotts Valley and heading south to stay with my parents in Camarillo for a week or so. After that I'll be going to Mexico with a church group for a week to do some ministry and then....... I move to Hawaii!!!

I'm so excited. I'll be moving to Hilo, HI to live at my grandmother's house for about 2 months. I really needed a break from all the business of running a band so I'm headed to paradise to hang out with family, relax, surf, and write songs. I'm so pumped!

Home again, after the Caribbean

I just went to Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. It was amazing. I got to spend a week with the love of my life (thus far), Jenn Allen. We had a great time.

Dan Drives and I'm scared

Dan didn't crash. He did well. I just like complaining.

Tasting Monteith's Beer in New Zealand

New Zealand Adventure in November 2009

Here we are in New Zealand.

First night in Christchurch. Dan and I got in a fight.

We didn't really get in a fight. I just punched him.

Driving to Goat Island in New Zealand

It was hard to learn to drive on the left side. I kept telling myself, "Hug the left. Hug the left." I didn't crash!

Staying home is an adventure

I haven't had power for 2 days because trees fell on houses and power lines. It's been a crazy storm. It's giving me time to clean up and catch up on things I need to get done.

At Home in Scotts Valley

Hi everyone,
for the last month I have been home relaxing, recovering and gathering myself from all my travels in these last 6 months. It's been so nice to take time to myself and spend time with God. I'm realizing that I need to make a routine of it.

On Jan 27 I will be heading out to the island of Saint Thomas to visit Jennifer Allen. She has been working on a sail boat out there for the last 5 months. I'm so excited to see a new place of the world that I have never been to... and to see her too. ha.

After that trip, I'll hopefully be touring with my band, Kokua, out to Chicago and Texas. We'll see if that works out.

Until next time,
Dave

At Hume Lake for a 6th Season

I love music. I love kids. I love Jesus.

I am in the perfect place to combine all three. This is my 6th season of Outdoor Education here at Hume Lake and I love it. I will admit that I am getting tired and drained more quickly than I did when I first started (That could be because I turn 30 on Oct 13). I still love it, though.

Next I will be heading home to Santa Cruz for 2 weeks and then to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand on a mission trip to lead worship at a camp for missionary kids and to visit some friends. It's going to be amazing. I will keep you updated with pictures and posts as I go. Until next time. Godspeed.
Dave