Chritsmas Presence 2022

 

Growing up my parents helped make the Christmas season a special time of year for me. From the incredible decorations and tree put up with artistic precision by my father to getting Christmas cards sent out by mom to the wonderful smell of fresh baked apricot and nut cookies to delicious mushroom soup made by my father. The Christmas Eve service at a packed church with a beautiful rendition of 'Oh Holy Night' that took you back to the manager. Having friends and family over after service at my parents house was joyous. Cookies, hors d'oeuvres, drinks, music and laughter ruled the evening. Christmas morning was incredible. The magic of opening gifts wrapped with the utmost care by my father brought a big smile to my face. And when I got older the joy of giving mom& dad gifts equaled then exceeded what I received. Then I enjoyed going to church on Christmas morning. Later in the afternoon we would head up to my aunts with what one could only describe as a decadent feast. My aunt could out cook anyone on the Food Network. Ham melted in you mouth. The most moist turkey you ever had. Chicken soup with homemade noodles. Apple and pumpkin pies that made you always want a second piece. After we went home I always fell asleep with a smile on my face. I was blessed that all three of my children were able to experience this as well. With all that being said my parents always made sure the focus was on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fast forward to today. My parents and my aunts and uncles have passed away. Unfortunately the last time I spoke with my cousins was when my mom passed. I have resigned myself to the fact that we probably will never get together again and that saddens me a great deal.

In 2011 my life took the best turn possible when I met and married my soul mate Valerie Geis Horosz Soon after that God blessed me with employment after looking for three years and in 2014 God saw fit to bless me with the best job ever in IT with Publix Supermarkets.

Valerie's parents remind me so much of my own. It was so hard saying goodbye to her father this year. I am so glad to be a part of this family.

My wife truly enjoys decorating the house for Christmas. Lights, decorations, garland, battery candles, and a beautiful tree with ornaments made by my dad. It looks fantastic !

In 2019 we had one of the most incredible blessings of our life as our granddaughter Eliana Grace Skaggs was born. Words cannot express the inexplicable and unbelievable joy she brings to our lives !

In 2022 just this past week we experienced another most incredible blessing when Adiella Mae Skaggs was born. We are over the moon excited, happy, and praising God for her and are on pins and needles until we can get back up to Ohio to meet and hold her - and Ellie too !

Five years ago in October I found out through a Facebook post that one of my cousins passed away. It really hit me hard. When I sent a sympathy card to her husband I remembered what he told me when my mom passed away - "we never hear from anyone anymore". It all makes sense now.

I wanted so desperately to recreate what my parents had. But I've come to the realization its gone. For one reason or another my family has splintered into their own units - with brothers and sisters only. Despite attempts to reach out to my cousins they have not responded.

It's up to Valerie and I to make memories for all our children and grand children - Will, Victoria, Andy, Peter, Jessica, Brian, Ellie, and Addie - to enjoy and remember. Whether it's a phone call or spending time with them the message is always the same - we love you !

The best part of Christmas to me is not presents but presence - the presence of Christ in our hearts and in our home.

Merry Christmas !

2011 All About God, Valerie, And Bill

Editor's Note: I hope you enjoy this look back at 2011 and see God's blessing, goodness, and faithfulness. God Bless. 

The year 2011 started off as Will, Victoria, Peter, and I celebrated New Year’s Eve at my mom’s house. For New Year’s Day Will, Victoria, and I went to the not so ‘2011 Winter Classic’. A few days latter on January 5th, we attended a game at Consol Energy Center where the Penguins thumped the Bolts.  We didn’t know that a brutal hit from Steckel during the Winter Classic and a heavy hit from Hedman from Tampa caused a concussion to Sidney Crosby – so 2011 was not a one of Sid’s or the Penguins favorite years to be sure.

The Steelers were in the Super Bowl again against the upstart Packers. And much to everyone’s surprise, the Packers won due to a inept secondary and predictable play calling on offense. So  2011 did not start off on a high note for the Steelers either.

But on a personal note, 2011 was a year that was ‘All About God, Valerie, and Bill’ 

Back on Christmas Eve 2010, I cried out to the Lord on my living room carpet as I was facing waking up alone for the first Christmas in my life. I wasn’t praying for a Christmas miracle – just the miracle of a lifetime in finding that special someone.

 God answered. I was led to get off eHarmony and several other dating sites that I was on and to sign up for Christian Mingle – a site that I was on back when I started dating. I pulled the best from each profile, put my best pictures on, and then prayed.

 It wasn’t long until I got a number of responses, several close by and a few that were out of state. One that came up on my match was from ‘Virtous247365’ from Tampa, FL. We had quite a few similarities but I wasn’t sure that she would be interested in someone not only out of state but still in search of a job. It was clear in her profile that she was looking for ‘friends first’. I put together a great short email and waited for her reply. I got a very warm response from her and we arranged a time when we could chat using the site’s IM during the evening. That went extremely well.  One thing led to another and Valerie gave me her number. 

We spent on the average of four hours a evening on the phone for the next couple of weeks and made arrangements for me to fly down on January 27th. At . 7:08 PM that evening we met – Valerie was perfect in every way for me as she told me I was perfect for her in every way.

Our Wedding Day 

 Then on February 11th, a little after 11 AM, Valerie Geis became Valerie Horosz. We spent a honeymoon weekend that was truly magical and time stood still.

In March I moved down from Ohio. We had fun taking a couple of days to drive down from Columbus.

 God had told me all along that a job and relationship would go hand in hand. God was right! I received a phone call from a recruiter who literally spent a hour with me on the phone. She said a small software company in Clearwater was looking for Quality Analysts.  A few days later I had an interview (right before my birthday). I called Valerie to tell her it went extremely well. So well that three hours later I received an offer and I gladly accepted.

Married life has been a blessing beyond belief.  My simple prayer every day is for Christ to help me love Valerie as He loved the church and gave His life for the church. We have had a few disagreements but we air them out quickly and not let the enemy creep in. And of course Valerie is always right lol !

Valerie’s family is awesome. I so enjoy Jessica – she has a heart like her mother and I am blessed to call her a friend. Val's parents love for her is incredible – her mom is so precious and her dad always makes me smile

Val’s siblings are so much fun to be around at family functions – there is a lot of love to go around. I’m so blessed that Valerie has had time to be with Will, Victoria, Peter and mom. We are so looking forward to getting the kids down here in 2012.

Christmas Dinner 2011 View

We enjoy doing everything together – from chores to shopping to cooking. On weekends we enjoy going out to dinner and then seeing a good movie. It’s a blessing to relax in the evening and watch some favorite shows together. Valerie has really enjoyed watching and attending Penguins games. And I have enjoyed watching some shows on the Food Network and Bravo.

 

We are blessed to worship at ‘The Crossing’. Pastor Greg and the associate pastors all have a heart for God and the worship music is incredible. We almost always seem to say that “I though last week’s message was one of the best ever” but the current weeks message was even better than that.

 My words to you who are still looking for that relationship, job, or both :

 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

 Matthew 7: 7-11 NIV

We are looking forward to 2012 together seeking God’s face and asking his blessing, love, favor and protection over us and our families.

Happy New Years 2022 Thoughts

Sunrise from our back patio 

Wishing all my friends a safe, healthy, and blessed New Years 2022 !

Use and practice these words more often in 2022: love, joy, peace, encouragement, gentleness, patience, kindness.

Pray often.

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. Directly as in 'I love you and thank God for you being in my life'.

Set attainable and realistic goals for yourself.

2021 Highlights.

We moved into our new house in March and can't thank God enough for blessing us with this opportunity.

We enjoyed spending a lot of time with Ellie (and her parents) this year and look forward to much more in 2022 !

We said goodbye to our four legged daughter Diogy in May and miss her greatly.

We enjoyed hosting Christmas Eve brunch at our house and had a excellent time with Val's family.

I can't thank God enough for my Valerie. Day in and day out her love for me blows me away. God tells me the way I can thank Him is to be a blessing to her everyday - on the good days when it's easy and especially on the bad days when it's not so easy. Val tells me that 'we make a good team'. So very true ! We truly compliment one another. Can't wait to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary!

I leave you with these scriptures for 2022. Pray they will help you praise God, give you God's peace, and be a blessing to you !

“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

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

Beautiful Day !

Thankful to the Lord for another birthday and for my beautiful wife, family, provision, shelter, and for dying on the cross for all of us.

It truly is a "Beautiful Day".