Great Week with Friends
Admiral Vern Clark spent the morning with the eight of us, imparting his values and principles on Christian leadership. He was the principal naval adviser to President Bush and the Secretary of Defense from 2000-2005.
It’s been a great week down here in Hampton Roads. I wish I had a camera to capture all of the moments both during and in between sessions of my doctoral residency. Besides my wonderful father- and mother-in-law, Fred & Lucy Torres, who have been so incredibly hospitable to me in their Virginia Beach home, I’ve had some great meals, hearty laughs, painful tears, and robust conversation with some marvelous people this week. Thank you, all of you, for a great week: my cousin, Heather and Spencer Click, the new staff pastor at the 2,300-member Bethel Temple in Hampton; my former pastor, Tom Conant, at Christian Chapel Assembly of God; my Kuya Jeff and nephew, Jacob, for the shared Father’s Day meal; Dr. David Moore, an amazing and gifted professor and missional prophet; Ben Emmons, church planter, professional encourager, radical endurance athlete, and a great friend; Tony Torain, pastor, superintendent, law school dean, and awesome dad; Craig von Buseck, gifted author and journalist; Melissa Falk, cross-cultural pastor and ministry pioneer; Keith Krepcho, family friend, church planter, and revolutionary countercultural thinker; Peter Graves, dear friend of 11 years, fellow father of three, deeply gifted minister; Vern Clark, four-star admiral, former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and second longest serving CNO in U.S. Navy history; Mike Osborn, such a faithful friend, a kindred spirit, and a constant inspiration in my life; and, of course, my entire doctoral cohort, who are marching in step with me as we progress towards graduation.
The week is not over! Some would say I’ve saved the best for last. Tomorrow, I will be with Dr. Jerry & Sharon Graham, marvelous and faithful friends and coaches to my wife and me; and in the evening, with some comrades, convening in Williamsburg–Bill Kennon, Jeff Fuller, Peter Graves, Ben Kennon, and my brother Justin Schoonmaker. I can’t wait!
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Age, are you aware that Vern Clark’s brother Larry married my first cousin Mary Jo (Uncle Ward William’s daughter)? That means that Vern Clark’s nephew (Mary Jo’s son Adrian) is your second cousin and shares your name. By the way, Adrian is also my second cousin. The dictionary allows for that term to be used in both our cases…
second cousin
n.
1. A child of a first cousin of one’s parent.
2. A child of one’s first cousin; a first cousin once removed.
Love, Dad
No, I had no idea! I do remember meeting Mary Jo in 1987 at the family reunion in Missouri. I remember her as a really sweet lady. And she was very eager to show me pictures of Adrian; I remember her doing that. Wow, small world…