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

A Soldier Died Today

For you dad:

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

(A Soldier Died Today)

by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho’ sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we’ll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,

And the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

And the world won’t note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,

A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician’s stipend and the style in which he lives,

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,

That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,

Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend

His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part

Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he’s here to hear the praise,

Then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

©1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

Tribute To My Dad

Bill from Bill’s Adventures In Life tells us about his father William F. Horosz Sr. on the tenth anniversary of his passing away.

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