the roof crashers 2013 page 1

the roof crashers 2013 page 1 by ric gustafson


The four friends watched as their friend slept on a mat.
" I feel so sorry for him" Keli said as he wiped a tear from his eye. " He can't do things that we can do".
" We must try to help him" Celo replied quietly so he would not wake him. " But I'm not sure what we can do".
Mag smiled as he sat next to a wall. " I have one idea".
" What is that?".
" A Rabbi named Jesus is coming to town to teach". He yawned. " I've heard that he heals people".
" A healer". Celo smiled at the others. " That's perfect".
" What's perfect?".
" We get him to this meeting and ask this Jesus to heal our friend".
" Let's do it" Mikno replied as he grinned at the others.


research help: original story


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Titanic 2013: First Class

Titanic 2013: First Class by ric gustafson


Each first class passenger on Titanic had a story. William Carter was a thirty six year old polo player who with his wife Lucile traveled with their two children, valet, maid and chauffeur. Clarence Moore, master of the Chevy Chase hunt was in England buying foxhounds. Moore was a stockbroker who farmed in Maryland.
Charlotte Cardeza traveled with 14 steamer trunks, four suitcases, three crates and a medicine chest. She was the daughter of Thomas Drake who founded the Fidelity Trust Company. Helene Baxter was the widow of Diamond Jim Baxter who built the first shopping mall in Canada. Presidential Aide Archie Butt took with him seven trunks.
The richest first class passenger was John Jacob Astor. He was forty seven, had a trim moustache and wore a bowler hat. In 1891, he married Ava Willing but the marriage did not last. It was his idea to build the Waldorf- Astoria Hotel. He divorced Ava in 1909 and married Madeleine Force in 1911. She was eighteen years old and the daughter of a Brooklyn businessman. By April 1912, she was four months pregnant and they were returning to the States.
Margaret Brown was born in 1867 in Hannibal Missouri to Irish immigrants. In 1886, she married J J Brown an Irishman from Pennsylvania. In 1893, he struck gold which produced 135 tons of gold daily. At this time, Margaret was 26 and her husband was making millions. In 1903, she helped form the first court for juveniles. She was a founder of the Denver Women's Club and worked for Women's Suffrage. In 1909, her husband suffered a stroke and they separated.
Leadville Colorado was also the home of Benjamin Guggenheim. He traveled with his wife Florette, three daughters, a maid, valet and chauffeur. Two railroad executives were John Borland Thayer and Charles M Hayes.
Along with the first class dining saloon, the a la carte restaurant was popular with first class passengers.


research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport- Hines


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

through the eyes of a child revision page 7

through the eyes of a child revision page 7 by ric gustafson


Charles slowed down the SUV as the light turned to yellow. It turned to red and he put his foot down hard on the brake. He turned up the volume as the harmony sound of the Gaither Vocal Band came through the car speaker. The Southern Gospel group relaxed him and he smiled as he began to sing along. The light turned green and the Tahoe slowly began to move again. He knew that he was almost home. As the CD changed to another song, his bluetooth rang.
" This is Charles Brown". He hesitated. " Yes, Detective Springer".
" I'm sorry to disturb you Mr Brown".
" That's ok Detective". He stopped at another red light. " I was just on my way home".
" Yes Detective, I did speak to Jessica". He hesitated. " No, she was too distraught to give me any information".
Charles listened very intently as he watched cars go by him. " Yes Detective, we will meet you at their dorm room".

Titanic 2013: Officers

Titanic 2013: Officers by ric gustafson



Captain Edward J Smith  62 years old  This was to be his final voyage before retirement
He went down with the ship.

Senior Officers

Chief Officer Henry Wilde 38 years old  Transferred from the Olympic
He went down with the ship

First Officer William Murdoch 38 years old  Transferred from the Olympic
He went down with the ship

Second Officer Charles Lightoller  38 years old  Transferred from the Oceanic
Was the only Senior Officer to survive


Junior Officers

Third Officer Herbert Pitman  34 years old  Transferred from the Oceanic
He escaped in Lifeboat 5

Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall  28 years old  Transferred from the Arabic
He escaped in Lifeboat 2

Fifth Officer Harold Lowe  28 years old  Transferred from the Belgic
He escaped in Lifeboat 14

Sixth Officer James Moody  24 years old  Transferred from the Oceanic
He went down with the ship


research help: ' Titanic at two am' by Paul J Quinn


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Bonhoeffer page 1

Bonhoeffer page 1 by ric gustafson


April 5 1943


Thirty seven year old Dietrich Bonhoeffer heard the knock at the front door. He knew who it was. He had tried to call his brother in law and could tell on the other line that the Gestapo was already there. As he heard his father walk toward the front door, he pondered what to do with all his personal papers that were on an oak desk.
He heard his father's voice. " Dietrich, there are some men down here to see you".
" I'll be right down". He put all of the papers into a small wastebasket and then struck a match. He watched the papers begin to burn. When the last piece of paper turned to ash, he stood up and walked downstairs.
" Goodbye Father". He gave him a big hug. He left with the men who were wearing dark coats.


research help: ' The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer' by Michael Van Dyke


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

through the eyes of a child revision page 6

through the eyes of a child revision page 6 by ric gustafson



Kelly opened her eyes. Her head hurt from someone striking it. She watched with scared eyes as he checked the duct tape over her mouth and tightened the ropes she was bound in.
He quietly got out, opened the garage door and then quickly looked around. He got in, started the engine and then backed out into the driveway. He got out, closed the door, and then as he opened the driver door to get in, he noticed his next door neighbor was working in her flower bed. He backed out onto Monroe Road and then started driving east.
Wilma Palmer looked up from her flower bed to see her quiet neighbor leave in a van she had never seen before.

through the eyes of a child revision page 5

through the eyes of a child revision page 5 by ric gustafson


Charles was finishing up the executive meeting when the intercom rang. The investment firm he had founded was doing great business and at the moment was very prosperous. He glanced out the large window and witnessed the beautiful spring day. He and his wife Katie were looking forward to the return of their daughter Kelly from college. She was going to live with them but work during the summer.
" Mr Brown, Michelle wants to speak with you" Jack Westin whispered from the conference table.
Charles frowned as he picked up the phone. His secretary normally never called him during a meeting unless it was an emergency. " Yes Michelle".
" Mr Brown, I'm sorry for interrupting the meeting" her voice said as it cracked. " I have a family call you should probably take in your office".
" Gentlemen, I'm sorry to stop the meeting but I have an urgent call I need to take".
Worried, he walked out of the conference room and walked down the carpeted hallway to his office. He closed the door and sat down at his large oak desk. The phone rang. He picked it up. " Hello, this is Charles Brown".
" Jessica, slow down and try to speak a little more clearly" he quietly said into the phone.
As the caller talked on, Charles's face turned ashen.
He put his face onto the desk and began to cry. " Lord, help me".