A Good Marriage

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."

Martin Luther 

Happy New Year 2018

Wishing all my friends a safe, healthy, and blessed New Years 2018 !

Use and practice these words more often in 2018: love, joy, peace, encouragement, gentleness, patience, kindness.

Pray without ceasing.
Worship wherever you are.
Read God's word.
Be a friend.
Enjoy family.
Encourage, support, and love your children.
Take care of the temple that God has given you.
Tell your spouse, children, and family that you love them.
Set attainable and realistic goals for yourself.

2017 Highlights.

In January had my fourth tooth extraction since moving to Florida.

Valerie and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary in February. Every day with my beautiful bride is better than the day before. I am truly the most blessed man in the world. 

February also saw me passing my FAA Part 107 exam and officially became a FAA sUAS Licensed Pilot. This will allow me to fly drones for commercial purposes. 

In June we said goodbye to Will and Peter as they moved back to Columbus, OH after living here for two years. We enjoyed their frequent visits for movies, Steeler and Penguins games and just hanging out. Excited that Will left for a better opportunity but miss both of them greatly. 

July saw my first real surgery as I had my gall bladder removed and umbilical hernia repaired. Recovering from hernia surgery proved to be a real challenge but I was back at work in a week.

We enjoyed several family get togethers for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Val's parents birthdays, Thanksgiving,  and Christmas Eve. Lots of good food and great laughs. 

I went through my first Hurricane in Florida in early September. The impact we had here in Tampa was not bad but other areas of Florida were not so fortunate including were I work over in Lakeland, Fl. We had a house full as Valerie's parents, Jessica, her friend, and four dogs under one roof for the night. 

September was #TheSocialEventOf2017 as I had the honor of walking my beautiful daughter Victoria down the aisle as she married Andy Skaggs who just happened to be Will's best friend. Tears of joy flowed abundantly that day in a picture perfect outdoor wedding in Ohio. 

Christmas day we celebrated by continuing our tradition of eating out by going to “Spinners” at St. Pete Brach – a revolving restaurant. Food was excellent and the views were magnificent. We enjoyed our time with Jessica that day.

Celebrated New Year's Eve by making a turkey breast and watching the movie "Dunkirk" with Valerie..

Some scripture I’d like to share:

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Lady Lex And My Dad- A Veterans Day Tribute

Lady Lex & My Dad 

"My dad, a young lad of just eighteen
Had to make a decision that wasn't keen,
Losing his father was hard enough
The thought of being drafted was tough,
So he chose the United States Navy,
For he wanted wings of gold and bravery...

His vision wasn't the best,
So aviation ordinance was his test,
Loading the deadly cargo every day,
Hoping for peace to come quickly our way,
But the ship was hit by a torpedo near some bunks,
Dad used to sleep there in his trunks,
He was moved about a week before,
God was with him now even more

God definitely had a hand on Dad you know,
Saving him from all the wars bitter blows,
Friends were committed to the deep
Dad cried softly for them in his sleep

When the war was over they sailed into Tokyo Bay,
Devastation had definitely had it's way,
When the people bowed before all the men,
It made them humble, not proud again

People are looking all around for heroes your know,
The kind that hit home runs or steal the show,
But my kind of hero is not one of those
Just an ordinary sailor, my Dad,
Willing to stand against all foes

The Lady Lex served her country proud
For over forty year she stood her ground,
Opposing all of the enemies blows,
Till father time took it's toll

God's hand is still over Dad, you see,
After heart, hip, and vascular surgeries,
Thou slower now we know for him
That when you have Jesus Christ, you win !"

This poem was written in 2001 in honor of my Dad's service to his country aboard the USS Lexington CV16 from 1943 to 1945.

In a very short period of time, Dad's father died, his sister came over from Europe after being raised by her grandmother not speaking a word of English, and World War II started. Dad wanted to fly but did not have 20/20 vision so he chose to load torpedo's, bombs, and machine gun belts on the planes. The only time the ship was ever torpedoed was at 11:45 PM at night and if dad's bunk had not been moved - he would have been killed.

Will and I went down in March, 2008 and scattered part of Dad’s ashes on the flight deck of the USS Lexington which is a museum on the bay in Corpus Christi, TX. I hope to return again with Val and all my children to have them experience the Lexington.

I am so very proud of my dad, William F. Horosz Sr. and his service to his country.

Thank a veteran on this day. And for me thank a World War II vet if you know one. I have to wait to thank my favorite World War II vet again when I see him in heaven.

God Bless The USA !

The Perfect Marriage

What is the "Perfect Marriage" ?

I stopped to ponder this question after giving away my beautiful daughter's hand in marriage on September 15 this year.

Then it hit me. There was one perfect marriage. It was Jesus Christ & his bride the church. 
Jesus loved the church so much he was willing to give up his life for it. Wow. 

When I was going through a low point in my life about 10 years ago, I read about 65 to 70 books in one year. They really helped get my feet pointed in the right direction and I re-dedicated my life to Jesus Christ. One of those books had the best piece of marriage advice that I ever heard. It goes something like this "It's not all about her, It's not all about him, It is all about us.". 

Amen !

Here is a link to the official pictures from my daughter's wedding:

http://www.decampphotoworks.com/Weddings/20170915Skaggs