U-505 page 35

 U-505 page 35 by ric gustafson

David went back down the hatch. Trosino followed him. At the bottom of the hatch ladder, Trosino noticed he was standing in 6 inches of water. Right away, Trosino began looking for tools. By the periscope, he found a T wrench.

With Lieutenant David by his side, Trosino began inspecting U-505. He was surprised how much machinery and valves were in the sub. When he walked into the engine room, he was standing in 2 feet of slush. Both Trosino and David knew what they had to do. They ordered the landing party out of the sub. The conning tower hatch was closed. Only David and Trosino were left inside.

Both men walked up to an electrical circuit board. Trosino had to pull a lever. He did not know which one to pull. He guessed. He pulled a lever. The engines stopped. They knew they had to get out of the sub quickly. Both men quickly left through the conning hatch. They joined the rest of the landing party on the conning tower bridge. 

Everybody smiled. They had pulled off the impossible.

research help: ' U-505' by James E Wise Jr

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Solomon 2026 page 3

 Solomon 2026 page 3 by ric gustafson

Solomon and Naamah sat down on a bench. It was in the king's gardens.

" How was your trip from Ammon". He smiled. " It is one town I have not visited yet".

" It was longer than I expected". She frowned. " I traveled here by camel".

Solomon grinned. " I prefer riding a horse myself".

" Solomon, may I ask you something?".

" Of course".

" Why did you stop writing me?".

" You were 13". Solomon sighed. " It was not proper to write to a princess of marriageable age".

Naamah's stomach grumbled. " I must be hungry".

" There will be a banquet in you and your father's honor tonight".

research help: ' The Heart of a King' by Jill Eileen Smith

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 34

 U-505 page 34 by ric gustafson

Commander Earl Trosino and his boarding party approached U-505. All of a sudden, a swell lifted the whaleboat out of the ocean. The whaleboat crashed on top of the U-505. Washing overboard was the portable pump Trosino was going to use to drain the flooded sub. Also lost in the ocean were asbestos gloves, two sledgehammers, two fire axes, two hand saws, nails, two monkey wrenches  and two screwdrivers. Luckily, Chief Petty Officer Raymond Jackson had the first aid kit over his shoulder. Also, Photographer's Mate Clifford Whirler was able to save the camera gear.

Now Commander Trosino noticed it was all water all the way to the conning tower. How is he going to get across?. Quickly He notices a guy wire stretched from the bow to the conning tower. Trosino grabs the guy wire and without gloves begins to cross the U-505 hand over hand. Finally, he reaches Signalman Hohne. Hohne is perched on the conning tower.

" I'm Commander Trosino from the Guadalcanal". He was too tired to smile. " I was sent to take charge of all salvage operations".

Hohne nodded.

" Who is in charge?".

Lieutenant David stuck his head out of the U-505's hatch. " I am".

research help: ' U-505' by James E Wise Jr

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Reflections: I Corinthians 13

 God's Reflections: I Corinthians 13 by ric gustafson

I Corinthians 13 is used many times in weddings. This chapters nickname is the love chapter. There is a special kind of love in marriage. Love is more than a feeling. Love is action. Loving is a decision. I Corinthians 13 describes those feelings. 

This kind of love is patient and kind. We need to work on being patient and kind. Kindness is an expression of love. Even when we don't feel kind, God wants us to be kind to our spouse. We need to ask God to teach us to be more loving. God wants us to choose to be patient and kind. 

research help: ' God's Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Doc Holliday page 3

 Doc Holliday page 3 by ric gustafson

John Holliday entered the carpeted lobby of the Regent Hotel. The lobby was filled with sofas and overstuffed chairs. He walked up to the front desk.

The desk clerk snapped to attention." Good afternoon Sir".

" Good afternoon". Holliday smiled. " I'd like one of your best rooms".

" Of course Sir". The clerk handed him a pen and the registration ledger. " How long will be staying with us?".

Holliday frowned. " Don't know".

A bellman brought his trunks to a room. It had a window overlooking the street. Holliday opened one of the trunks. While he stared out the window, he took three things out of the trunk. First, he took out a quart of bourbon. He took a long slug. Second, he pulled out a cigarillo. He lit it up. Third, he took out a Colt pocket revolver. He heard that in the Wild West every man needed a gun.

He put five rounds in it.

research help: ' Doc Holliday' by Matt Braun

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

World Prayer: American Samoa

 World Prayer: American Samoa by ric gustafson

American Samoa is in the Polynesian Pacific. It is 199 sq km. The capital is Pago Pago. American Samoa is a largely Polynesian economy. Tuna fishing and canning dominate the economy. 

It has been a US unincorporated territory since 1900. The territory has all rights of US citizens except the ability to vote in US elections.

Please pray for the territory of American Samoa.

research help: ' Operation World' by Jason Mandryk

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Reflections: Acts 2

 God's Reflections: Acts 2 by ric gustafson

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. There was the sound of a rushing wind. Tongues of fire came to rest on the disciples. The presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit came to rest on the disciples. 

Why is this moment in time important?. Jesus was sharing the glory of his Father. It was fulfilling the promise Jesus made to his disciples. The promise was that the Helper the Holy Spirit would come. 

After that, the life of the disciples changed. The Spirit of God was working through them. It is the same with us. We need to let Jesus live and love through us. All we need to do is open our heart. The Holy Spirit will come. All we need to do is ask.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric