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Alamo of the Onaqui - A New Addition

By: Erin

Some of you may have already heard that I started a wild horse and burro rescue.  Last month, my first rescued mustang arrived!  Alamo is a mustang from the Onaqui Mountain herd in Utah, near the Great Salt Lake.  When we took our trip out west in 2020, we flew directly over this herd of wild horses.  Unfortunately, in July of last year, 312 wild horses were rounded up from this herd in Utah for no good reason.  When the mustangs were put up for auction, I was looking for my first mustang to rescue.  With the help of Red Bird's Trust, I chose an older mustang who was undesirable to the public and in danger of going to a bad home or ending up in a slaughter facility.  I won Alamo in the auction in December, and he was set to arrive at Okeechobee, Florida in late February.  I chose the name Alamo for patriotic meaning, since mustangs are a nationally protected icon, second only to the Bald Eagle.  I also chose the name because of its Spanish origin.  Mustangs descended from the Spanish horses the Conquistadors brought to the Americas.

Praise the Lord, Alamo arrived safe and sound on February 25, thanks to some wonderful friends who hauled him up from Florida.  His unloading was very uneventful, but two days later, I woke up to find that he had jumped out of his pen!  Thanks to God and my wonderful family, we were able to get him back in - although it took the whole day.  We raised the panels up to about 6 1/2 feet tall and he hasn't been able to escape again!

Within the past month, Alamo has been very accepting and his gentling process has gone very quickly.  He accepted a halter on day #4, he is now leading very well, and accepts almost anything on his back (tarp, saddle pad, balls, etc.).  He is getting very desensitized, which is a blessing.

As much as we are enjoying having Alamo as a part of our farm, we really wish he could've stayed wild.  In fact, many Americans - including ourselves - fought to stop this roundup that removed Alamo and so many other Onaqui mustangs.  Alamo will have always been happier if he had stayed in the wild.  He was not starving, nor were any of the other mustangs.  There was no good reason at all for why he was taken out.  Unfortunately, just a few weeks ago, a few thousand privately owned sheep were released onto the Onaqui Wild Horse Range.  The mustangs were removed (using our tax dollars) to allow the sheep, which are owned by individuals, to graze on our land (our tax dollars go to supporting these sheep).  Sadly, this happens all over the west.  Livestock (like cattle and sheep) are the biggest destroyer of land in the west, causing drought, wildfires, dust storms, and more.  Whereas mustangs and burros are proven to help and maintain the west's environment.

While Americans work to stop livestock grazing on public lands, we need to do something about the 50,000+ wild horses and burros in holding.  That's why I've started a rescue (you can click here to learn more) and that's why Alamo is here.  It is my hope that he will help me bring awareness to the issue since it affects so many different aspects for the horses, the land, and the people.  God commands us to be good stewards and to love and care for His creation.  Through protecting and caring for His beautiful creation, we can do just that.

You can learn more about my mustang rescue here.

Alamo in the wild.  PC: Kisa Kavass

Alamo rearing and fighting with another stallion in the wild.  PC: Greig Huggins

Alamo shortly after being captured.

Alamo in a crowded holding pen, standing in over a foot of mud and manure.

Alamo shortly after his arrival to our property.

Alamo haltered on day #4!

Lots of desensitization work with Alamo!

"Not one is forgotten before God."

Luke 12:6

Please Pray for Afghanistan!

The ministry, Samaritan's Purse, has called for all Christians to pray for the people of Afghanistan today (link here).  Please pray for God's protection and mercy and that God would perform a miracle.  Thank you.

-The Phillips Family

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Happy Independence Day!

 

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

Today, we take a moment to thank God for all that He has done for our country, for the men and women that have paid the price for our freedom, for the godly foundation our forefathers built this nation upon, and for the bright future that our country has under God.  

Please say a prayer for our great country to remain One Nation Under God!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord," Psalm 33:12.

In God We Trust, The Phillips Family

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

We look forward to celebrating today with you and we pray that God will bless you abundantly in this coming year and always.  We love you!

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

(Nahum 1:7)

Luke's Graduation Party Recap

By: Erin

It was a blessing to celebrate Luke's perseverance and dedication throughout his home school years, and the amazing work the Lord has been doing in his life.  The evening started out with the normal - set up!  Luke, with some help, had made a lot of delicious little desserts for everyone to enjoy over the past week, so when the actual day arrived, we didn't have too much to do!  Then, everyone began to arrive at six (due to all the rain we'd been getting, one of our guests weren't able to get out of their driveway...!).  After the dessert fellowship, we watched a slideshow of Luke's school years.  Next, we sang several hymns together.  Then we had a time of encouraging Luke by sharing scripture verses and memories.  For the closing, Luke gave a testimony and sang "Stay the Course" while the rest of us older siblings accompanied him.  Below are some pictures!

Set up!

I love the way Luke and I decorated the table! :)

The Phillips graduates

Picture slideshow

Singing hymns together

Sharing scripture verses and encouragement...

The song Luke sang was such an encouragement to always follow the Lord throughout life despite trials and temptations, to always Stay the Course!

Friends

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: 
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
(Proverbs 9:10)

Luke is Graduating!

By: Erin

Today, we celebrate Luke's graduation and the wonderful job he has done in completing twelve years of home school (and we can't forget the incredible job Mom has done!)!  Luke has been very faithful in accomplishing these last days of school while working for Swift Otter, a website development company where he now works full time.  Congratulations, Luke!

Kindergarten

12th Grade

If you'd like, leave a comment to encourage Luke!  He'd love it!

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, 

nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, 

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; 

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

(Psalm 1 :1-3)