WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

I met Lauren through a friend named Keriena. Keriena and her family went on a five-day-mission-trip that I also took part in. I became aquatinted with her and her family, and I occasionally would come over and visit. One day, Keriena asked if I would be willing to join them for dinner on a Saturday evening. The weekend happened to be the same day I would be attending a men’s retreat. “Don’t know if I can,” I said. “I’ll be gone that weekend.” “We want you to meet a friend of ours who’s coming over from San Francisco,” she responds. “Ohh... Yeah! ... I can be there!” (Actually, NO. That’s not what I said.) The truth is, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to meet someone like that. (You see, I had different expectations. I always wanted to meet someone in the mission field, someone who had the same passions, interests and desires as I did.) So I thought, “Me, meeting someone? I’m not sure about that. I don’t know anything about her.” Keriena continued, and asked if we could meet Sunday, instead. “Sure,” I said, not convinced about meeting her. “Sunday, will...work.” Keriena and her family are very special friends. I highly respect and love them. I enjoy their company and fellowship. I did not want to disappoint anyone. Also, I’ve not dated anyone, so I was very cautious about meeting someone. When Sunday came, I spoke with a special friend of mine, Pastor Richard, about the whole thing. He encouraged me and said, “There's no harm in meeting someone,” and that I should just go. I went and met Lauren, and all is history from there. Lauren and I connected in every area. I felt comfortable around her. I enjoyed her company. And, already, I cared for her and wanted to protect her and make her feel safe around me. I was honored to be entrusted with a such beautiful person like her. She was the right one.

A good friend of mine and mentor met Juan on a five-day-mission trip and thought maybe we could meet. Months later on September 10th, I received a random text, “Hi, Lauren. Would you like to meet my friend?” I asked many questions and finally she told me about Juan. "Sure,” I said, Hesitantly. “In San Francisco?” “No...San Bernardino,” she replied. On Friday, October 11, 2019, I decided to drive to san Bernardino for the weekend and meet Juan. Keriena said there would be no confirmation I'd actually meet him. "Oh well," I thought, "at least I'll get to hang out with the Tillery’s." Saturday, Oct. 12, Keriena texted Juan and asked about meeting on Sunday. He said it was okay. Outwardly I was cool about it, but inwardly I was freaking out. I hadn't been on a date (or even been interested in anyone) in years! And now I’m driving to San Bernardino to meet someone? Sunday morning we went to church, a different church service than Juan’s, then headed back. The sermon was so applicable (God sees you). I prayed and journaled the whole morning. My prayer was: Your will, not mine, be done. A text...Juan is on his way over. We meet. Shake hands. We all sit on the couch and talk. Well, they talked and I listened. (I'm more on the "slow-to-warm" temperament kind; I like to watch before engaging.) I could sense Juan is a man who loves God, careful with his words, with a mild temperament. He had gone on numerous mission trips, which definitely captured my attention. He spoke kindly about his family. I didn't know at the time if this was "it", but my take-away from that initial meeting was: this is a man I could follow.

Thursday night, Juan and I were texting. Friday was my birthday and he had to work, but he wanted to do something after. I said I could meet him at his house. "Should I dress any particular way?" "Date night" was the reply I got. And then... "Bring comfortable shoes." Friday, I show up at his house at 6pm. He doesn't say anything about where we're going. Turns out to be Prayer Mountain, where we'd gone in January when I visited. I thought it was a great idea, thinking we're going there to pray. Once we get there, I change into my comfy shoes, and he gives me a jacket because it's COLD. We start walking up the mountain. I wondered why he was walking so fast, but didn't say anything. We got up to the cross, sat on the bench, and he held me. After a few minutes, he began praying out loud, thanking God for me, for what He's done in my life, and for what He's going to do. Then I heard him say, "and Lord, that's why I brought her here, to ask her..." I thought, "WAIT, WHAT?? What's happening???" "Lauren Estill, will you marry me?" It took me a minute to get over the surprise, but as you probably guessed, I said YES!

We met Sunday, October 13, 2019. We went out a second time on Monday, Oct. 14. Then I drove back to San Francisco, not knowing if or when I'd hear from Juan. I gave it all to God, saying, "Your will be done." Tuesday, silence. Wednesday, silence. Thursday, Oct 17: "Hi Lauren" During the conversation that night, Juan suggested we do a devotion together. Since then, we've done a total of 17 devotions, two of them lasting almost a month each. It was one of the ways we got to know each other on a deeper level even though we were over 400 miles away. We shared a love for God and desire to grow in our faith. We learned about each other's life growing up and what our journey with God has been like. Doing devotions together has shaped our relationship, helping us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus while exploring the possibility of us being together.