Six years ago I moved to Ventura to pursue my dreams of being a collegiate athlete— completely unaware that the Lord was about to take hold of my life in the season ahead.
As I moved from the high desert of Southern California to the city I was born in— simultaneously a group of church planters moved at the same time from Seattle to Ventura.
I met Dianna the first few days of being in Ventura and it was always noted that we were each other’s first friend in Ventura. That summer was filled with laughter and adventure as we explored the hot springs in a nearby mountain town, went to the beach, and spent endless hours together.
Dianna was the first person I’d really lived life with who invited me into a tangible sense of discipleship. I remember being asked by Dianna to join her walking around the Kimball park prayer walking— just going back and forth praying out loud and praying for the things the Lord had put on our hearts. The first time I was terrified, but as we continued it grew more natural. Looking back, I recognize this as the beginning of me falling in love with prayer.
I remember continuously being impressed by the high level of discipline Dianna would hold herself to, simply reading her bible every single day— and that too, she invited me into, reading together and doing quiet time at Pete’s coffee or wherever we ended up.
I’m so thankful to have had a friend who covered me in prayer and was there for me when I found out my brother was injured in Afghanistan. And someone who prayed for me as I told her the news of losing him.
This week my sweet friend is getting married and being absent for things like these are so very hard. Six year’s later I’m halfway around the world serving the Lord in a capacity I never thought I would be qualified to do, but yet He has invited me into what He’s doing.
Dianna, thank you for inviting me to actually do life with you. For being someone who carries influence and invites people into what the Lord’s doing. Thank you for being an integral part of me learning what a real relationship with the Lord looks like. Thank you for being one of many people who have challenged me to live a life that exemplifies Christ.
I know you are going to have such a strong marriage not because of who you or Henry are, but your desire to honor the Lord in every area of your life. You walk in complete humility. Thank you for being someone of influence in my life and for being a vital part of my spiritual growth— even without having the title of mentor or discipler, that is something I absolutely gained from our season of doing life together.
Thank you for teaching me how to invite people in. To love them where they’re at and come alongside them. Not by your words, but the way you did to me, just that.
I love you.
Congratulations to the soon to be Mr. & Mrs. Henry Espinoza. Let’s eat 50 wings when I return to the States.
#foreverespinoza
