Xanga

Let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant, and pass the word among the nations, “God reigns!”

1 Chronicles 16:31 (The Message)

~~~

I am passing the word, “God reigns!”

The Track at Churchill Downs

Home of the Kentucky Derby

Sunday, April 3 – Part 2

The track is one mile long.

The two seating areas on the back left are temporary, and only brought in for the Kentucky Derby. This year’s date is May 7.

The horses come out of the gates on the left, run one quarter mile to the finish line marker, then a full lap around the track for the final mile.

The Finish Line. The one and a quarter mile race takes about two minutes.

The seats are just plain metal chairs.

A statue of Aristidies, the first horse to win the Derby (1875), faces the paddock and is a main attraction in The Courtyard.

To Aristides’ right is a statue of Pat Day after his 1992 Derby win.

The statue is life-sized. He is 4′ 11″ and weighs 100 pounds.

He raced from 1973 – 2005 with 40,298 mounts and 8,803 wins.

He won only one Kentucky Derby.

~~~

When he retired in 2005, he said he would commit the rest of his life to spreading the Gospel.

From Race Track Chaplaincy of America: “The Lord saved me to work within the horse racing industry, not to leave it.” Pat Day ( Christian evangelist, RTCA Board of Directors, RTCA National Spokesman.)

Flowers in the courtyard

Our next stop was the stable of Perfect Drift and Winston.

Perfect Drift: In 50 career starts, he posted eleven wins, fourteen seconds, and seven thirds while earning $4, 714, 212.

During the winter months he is returned to Stonecrest Farms in Kansas City, Missouri.

Their caretaker was feeding them carrots.

I noticed something interesting about Perfect Drift’s feet.

He has two white feet and two brown feet.

More tomorrow night.

I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I’ll bless your name into eternity.

Psalm 145:1 (The Message)

~~~

I praise Him for transforming my life.

Churchill Downs

Home of the Kentucky Derby

Sunday, April 3 – Part 1

After seeing that Churchill Downs was just five minutes from our motel, we knew what we were wanted to do with part of our Sunday.  After three very busy days, it was a luxury to relax and enjoy church via a TV preacher (we were not familiar with any churches in the area, and needed a quiet morning.) 

I enjoy hearing about the procedure of raising race horses and watching the race if we are home, so thought it would be interesting to go on a tour of the grounds.

There is a beautiful statue of Barbaro in the main entrance area. You may remember that Barbaro was a thoroughbred who won the 2006 Derby, but shattered his leg two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes, ending his racing career and eventually leading to his death.

While we waited for the museum to open, we read some of the inscriptions on the bricks.

This large screen video of horses coming out of the gate gets your attention when you enter the museum.

I came in last in this race.

We enjoyed a short video (the screen surrounded the room). I was fascinated to learn that when a potential race horse foal is born, it is harnessed the next day and walked with its mother.

A video of race day was fun to watch.

Our guide

There is a plaque stating the year and name of each Derby winner somewhere on the grounds.

Only triple crown winners get gold lettering. Sir Barton was the first to win a triple crown by finishing first in the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. There are only eleven triple crown winners. The last time that happened was in 1978.

The grounds are beautiful.

Our tour group. It was a glorious day in Louisville.

~~~

More tomorrow evening

~~~

Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.

Colossians 3:16 (The Message)

~~~

I want the Word to fill my life.

Last Day

Mid-America Truck Show

Saturday, April 2

Part 7 – Final Edition

Louisville Expo Center on Saturday morning.

West Wing Hall was where our TFC both was located.

We arrived fairly early, so I went to the food court for a cup of coffee for Hank, Pearl, and myself (Gary and Cerwin went to Papa John’s Parking Lot for the morning of prayer, which I posted earlier).

There were a lot of tempting things to choose from, but I settled for coffee and a danish pastry.

One last look around the expo center.

We went to North and South Halls.

The inside of a dump trailer

Back at the booth Paul Rissler (California, Missouri) and his son came to visit.

Pearl talking to a couple who are interested in the ministry of TFC.

It was great to visit with our friends Sharon and Jerry Benson from Princeton, Kentucky. It has been several years since we saw them.

Karen and John Rissler (California, Missouri) and their boys. I thought maybe John would pull me in their wagon, but instead he joined me. Yes, John is a brother to Paul.

I stood on a chair to give you an idea of the crowd of people around us.

A unique visitor

When we went to Gary & Pearl’s camper for lunch, I noticed this camper which is pulled by a big rig.

Saying goodbye to the four ladies from Chapter 61 (Truckers Against Human Trafficking) who shared our booth. They had a flight to catch. They left a bit earlier than we did because they had to get to the airport for their flight home.

Packing up was a big job. Pearl took some things to the camper and prepared it for traveling. After taking my first load to Gary’s pickup truck, I stayed there guarding the “stuff” while the men brought the heavy things.

~~~

Gary and Pearl headed back to Ohio, and Hank to Tennessee. Our drive to Pennsylvania would take a bit longer, so we had reserved our motel room for an extra night. After three busy days, it was nice to go out for supper and relax.

~~~

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.

Psalm 105:4 (The Message)

~~~

I purpose to do that today.

Show Trucks – Second Edition

Mid-America Truck Show

Friday, April 1

Part 6

God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love.

Psalm 59:17 (Amplified Bible)

~~~

That sounds good to me!

Show Trucks

Mid-America Truck Show

Friday, April 1

Part 5