A Letter From Chi Chi

In this video Bill from Bill’s Adventures In Life reads us A Letter From Chi Chi. Chi Chi wrote a letter to Valerie. You won’t want to miss this. And you may need tissues.

Seven Years Ago Today

Seven years ago today I boarded Southwest flight 2562 from Columbus OH to Tampa FL to meet a woman who I had met through Christian Mingle. We would spend an average of 3 to 4 hours on the phone talking to each other and it was safe to say we knew quite a bit about each other. I had been down this road before as I had criss crossed the United States (I was an A list member on Southwest). But something felt very different this time. I felt a sense of joy and peace that was indescribable. 

When I saw her walking from her car I dropped to my knees and said "Thank you Jesus" ! At 7:08 PM I met Valerie Geis Horosz my soul mate, best friend, and love of my life :)

Pictures that she had sent did not do her justice - she was truly drop dead gorgeous. The next evening I got to meet my beautiful step daughter Jessica Bailey. Two days latter I got to meet most of her wonderful family including Val's incredible and awesome parents Dave & Janice Masters. Her mom told me that I had only begun to tap that heart of gold of Val's. 

15 days latter we were married. I thank God for her every minute of every day. Thank you fcontinuing to make me the most blessed man on this earth ! Love you beyond words <3 font=""> #TeamHorosz

 

Enjoyed Your Visit

Enjoyed a all too brief visit form my son Will, his friend Michelle, and my son Peter this week from cold Ohio. It was unseasonable cold for Tampa this time of year but we pray you all experienced the warmth of our hospitality, some good food, and a few laughs !

We are hopeful of coming up sometime this summer- maybe around that time of my birthday.

Enjoy the rest of your stay at the beach and safe travels back to Ohio !

Love you ! Love you !

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

Merry Christmas ! From Bill's Adventures In Life

In this video Bill from Bill’s Adventures In Life wishes everyone Merry Christmas From Bill’s Adventures In Life. Enjoy the special footage and a look ahead to 2018.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Christmas Presence 2017

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 three years ago 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. We also were blessed with Will & Peter moving to Brandon and enjoy seeing them.
I can't say enough about Valerie's parents. I see both my parents in both of them and I am truly blessed to have them in my life. They really do make me feel loved and a part of the 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 !
But for myself the past couple of years it's almost been a chore for me. Decorating, music and the season felt hollow. Gifts are nice and my wife does exceptional with what she gets me. But something was missing.

Last year at this time 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 three years ago 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 our children to enjoy and remember.

Last year we had Will, Peter, and Jessica over to exchange gifts, enjoy some great food, and watch several classic Christmas movies. It was probably one of the best Christmas Days we have had in a long time. But unfortunately that changes this year as Will and Peter moved back to Ohio. Very happy for them but that leaves a couple of empty places at the table and in our hearts as we miss them. 

This Christmas Day we will exchange gifts with Jessica then go out for Christmas dinner - we are blessed that she wants to share part of her day with us. 

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 !

Enjoy this short video we made at Christmas last year  !

Newsboys United

Few groups to me bring as much passion and energy for the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Newsboys. They have been a personal favorite and I have been to see them in concert at least 10 or more times. 

Recently they announced a "Newsboys United" tour that will include former and original band member Peter Furler along with former member Phil Joel. I was hoping they would possibly be in the state of Florida. To my surprise, they will be in Lutz, FL which is about a 30 minute drive for us. 

Needless to say I purchased two tickets the day they went on sale ! The concert is on a Friday so I am planning on taking the day off, treating my beautiful wife to dinner, and then going to the concert (she very much enjoys them as well). 

Their live show is incredible. I strongly encourage you to go see them if they are in you area. You will be able to hear the new Newsboys hits along with the timeless classics.

I put together a playlist of some new Newsboys hits and some old Newsboys hits that I hope you enjoy !

Newsboys Old & New