January Newsletter 2025

From Trials to Triumph: How Faith and Unity Led Us to Our Dream Home

When we entered 2024, we knew we wanted to start the home-buying process. Like many first-time homebuyers, though, we had no idea where to begin.

By the second quarter of the year, life got even busier. Our pickleball business launched, and I(Liz) started a new job as a marketing assistant. We went from being a one-income household to two working adults juggling new responsibilities and fresh business ideas. To say it was challenging is an understatement.

Even though Armando and I were under the same roof, we were both consumed with work—he was focused on his projects while I managed my new role as a real estate marketing assistant, Thrilling Marriage, and our AAPA initiatives.

For four years, I had been able to dedicate myself to managing our household full-time. Now I was working, running the house, and trying to balance it all. It was HARD. There were plenty of times when Armando and I didn’t see eye to eye, and even a few nights when we went to bed frustrated with each other.

It felt like everything we’d been teaching our readers about marriage was being put to the test in our own lives. Would we practice what we preach?

One of the most important lessons we embraced during that season of busyness and strife was this: never ignore the need to address issues.

Those nights when we went to bed frustrated meant that the next day, we had to confront the problem. Sure, we let some time pass to cool off, but we knew the healthiest thing to do was to sit down and talk it out.

You have to be okay wading through murky waters sometimes—allowing the wrestling of ideas, words, and feelings to take place. When you truly love your spouse, you come to understand the importance of demonstrating the same unconditional love that Christ shows us.

And we endured.

Later in the year, we finally started the home-buying process. We were so excited, but once again, we had no clue what we were doing. We found a lender, and after three exhausting weeks of calls, document submissions, and follow-ups, they rejected our file, and the deal fell through. I was ready to give up.

But Armando, ever the optimist, said, “Let’s try someone else.” So we did. By God’s grace, the sellers agreed to extend our contract while we worked with a new lender.

Everything felt like it was going wrong. I was so stressed I lost weight, and the process seemed never-ending. But through it all, we stayed a team. We knew that if this dream was going to happen, we had to stick together.

To make a long story short: There were near impossible hoops we had to jump through, lots of roadblocks along the way BUT after a lot of prayer, family support, and an incredible team of real estate professionals including our amazing lender we closed on our first home!

When we look back on this crazy home buying journey, we can clearly see God’s hand in every detail. What felt like years of adversity led us to the home we prayed for—for 18 years.

We wouldn’t be here without the Lord. Life will bring adversity of many kinds. Jesus Himself said:
 "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

As we begin this new year together, we want to encourage you to keep Christ at the center of your marriage. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Stay together. Stick together. Endure. Wrestle through the hard times, TOGETHER. Remember, God is faithful, and He can carry you through any challenge. 💛

-Liz and Armando

Every marriage goes through seasons where connection feels distant, and that’s okay. The key is recognizing when it’s time to prioritize each other again. 💛 If you’re ready to have a REFRESH in your marriage DOWNLOAD our FREE GUIDE NOW! ↓↓↓

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!

Check Out Our Convo Starter Questions!

1. What was the moment you knew you wanted to marry me?

2. What’s one thing I do that always makes you smile, even if it’s small?

3. If we could take a dream vacation anywhere in the world, where would you want to go and what would we do?

4. What’s a silly or embarrassing memory we’ve shared that still makes you laugh?

5. What’s one thing we’ve never done together that you’d love to try?

6. What’s something you’re really proud of that you’ve never told me about?

   Thanks for reading our January Newsletter! We would love to hear from you! Simply respond to this email and lets connect! Make sure you click the icons below to follow us on social media! Thanks for your support!