U-505 page 31

 U-505 page 31 by ric gustafson

Climbing down the hatch ladder was Chief Motor Machinist's Mate George Jacobson. Also climbing down was Motor Machinist's Mate First Class Zenon Lukosius, At 44, Jacobson was the oldest of the boarding party. He headed toward the engine room to shut off the electric motors. Lukosius headed for the control room. He quickly found the source of the leak. Behind the main periscope was water shooting up five feet. It was the sea strainer. Hans Goebeler had unlatched it to scuttle the submarine. Luckily, Lukosius was able to clamp the cover back to stop the leak.

Stash Wdowiak heads toward U-505's radio shack. He enters the tiny cubbyhole. Wdowiak notices radio equipment and a wooden box. The box is opened. Inside is a machine that looked like a typewriter. 

Wdowiak smiled. This was one of the greatest treasures of the war. 

Wdowiak takes the Enigma machine out of the box and hands it to Mack Pickels. Then it is passed to Zeke Lukosius. Then it is passed to Flags Hohne on the conning tower. Then it is passed to Jim Beaver on the whaleboat.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 30

 U-505 page 30 by ric gustafson

After all the boarding party was on the U-505, the real work began. After an accident involving Gunner's Mate First Class Chester Mocarski and a toolbox and a chain. Gordon Hohne stood on the conning tower of the U-505. He has Navy semaphone flags. He will be the communication link between Skipper Gallery and the destroyer escorts. 

The hatch of the U-505 is open. Lieutenant David peers inside. It is very dark inside. Torpedoman Knispel, who was armed with a Tommy gun, was standing next to David. His job was to guard David from any German wanting to kill them. Instead of Knispel, David decides to go down the hatch first.

David goes down the hatch. Following him were Knispel and Radioman Stanley Wdowiak. It was total darkness in U-505. David and Knispel turn on flashlights. Instead of German sailors, the three men find valves, pipes and instruments.

David yells out the submarine is there's. Then the three hear a strange sound. It is the sound of rushing water.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

words of Jesus: Healing Faith

 words of Jesus: Healing Faith by ric gustafson

Faith and determination drive us. No one can keep us from that. In Luke 8, a woman touched Jesus's robe. Jesus knew power had gone from him. The woman's medical problem was healed instantly. She touched Jesus's robe because she knew Jesus was a healer. 

Was Jesus upset she touched his robe to be healed?. No. But he wanted the woman to come forward. She fell at Jesus's feet. She trembled. If she touched his robe, she knew she would be healed. Jesus healed her instantly. Jesus sent her forth free from shame.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wizard of Oz page 2

 Wizard of Oz page 2 by ric gustafson

Uncle Henry was sitting on a doorstep. He was looking at the sky. It was grayer than usual. Dorothy was also studying the sky. She was holding Toto in her arms. Aunt Em was washing the dishes.

Uncle Henry suddenly stood up. He pointed. " Em, there's a cyclone coming". He began to run toward where the animals were. " I'll go look after the stock".

Aunt Em came to the door. She could tell the danger was near. " Quick Dorothy". She screamed. " Run for the cellar".

Toto ran under Dorothy's bed. Dorothy got down to get him. 

Aunt Em ran for the cellar. She opened the trap door. She climbed down the ladder into the small dark hole. 

Dorothy finally was able to grab Toto. When she was half way across the room, the house shook violently. Dorothy sat down on the bed holding Toto.

Then the house whirled around two or three times. The house rose slowly through the air. Dorothy felt as if she were going up in a baloon.

Toto did not like what was happening. Eventually, Dorothy laid down on her bed. Toto joined her. With the wind howling and the bed going in around in circles. Dorothy fell asleep.

research help: ' The Wizard of Oz' by L Frank Baum

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the miracle on Titanic page 6

 the miracle on Titanic page 6 by ric gustafson

David turned the brass doorknob of C-77. He walked into the elegant room.

" Excuse me Sir?".

He turned to see a steward standing in the doorway. " Yes".

" I have your bags on my cart". He tipped his hat. " I am Stringfeld your steward".

" You can bring them in and put them by the sofa".

The steward, wearing a white coat black bowtie and trousers, put them where he asked. He walked over. He handed David an envelope. " This is a welcome from Bruce Ismay and the White Star Line". He walked toward the door. " If you need me, just ring the bell that is over the desk".

" Thank you". He left. David sat down on the edge of the cherry colored bed. He noticed a light colored bedspread went up to four oversized pillows. He also noticed a brass lamp over the bed.

Just then, his mother walked in." David, this ship is huge".

" This room is beautiful too".

" David, I'm getting tired". She gave her son a tired smile. " I'd like to rest a while".

" Ok". He smiled. " I'm going to tour the ship before it leaves it's berth".

research help: ' Queen of the Waves' by Janice Thompson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

words of Jesus: hidden treasure

 words of Jesus: hidden treasure by ric gustafson

Suppose you found a secret treasure?. What would you do?. According to Mark 13, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. Would you take it all?. Would you leave some of it behind?. The truth is the kingdom of God is more glorious, fulfilling and promising than treasure. Would we try to gain the rights to it?.

When we become believers, we let go of our former lives. We accept the new life Jesus offers. It is far better than our old life.

Spend time with Jesus today. Seek and you will find.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wizard of Oz page 1

 Wizard of Oz page 1 by ric gustafson 

Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairie. She lived with her Uncle Henry and her Aunt Em. Their house was small. There was four walls, a floor and a roof. One room contained a cooking stove, a cupboard for the dishes, a table, chairs and the beds. 

In the room used as a bedroom, Uncle Henry and Aunt Em had a bed. Dorothy had the other bed. There was no cellar except for a hole in the ground. It was used as a cyclone cellar. 

When Dorothy stood in the doorway of the house, she could see nothing but gray prairie. There were no trees. There was no other houses in the distance. The grass was not green. The sun made the painted house looked gray and dull.

When Aunt Em came to the house, she was a young pretty wife. The sun and wind had already changed her. She was gaunt and thin. She never smiled now. 

When Dorothy came to her and Uncle Henry as an orphan, Em was not used to a child's laughter. She was surprised the child had anything to laugh at. Uncle Henry never laughed. He worked hard from morning till night. He did not know what joy was. He had a long gray beard. He rarely spoke.

Everything changed when Toto entered their lives. The little black dog with small black eyes brought instant joy to their lives. Dorothy loved him dearly.

research help: ' The Wizard of Oz' by L Frank Baum

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric