Thursday, August 22, 2013

A Visit From the Duggars


Putting others above themselves is a lifestyle habit that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar strive to instill in their children. Leading by example, the couple, along with Gil and Kelly Bates (also the parents of 19 children), visited Claire, a fan recovering from brain surgery. 


After connecting with the Bates family through a mutual friend late last week, Gil and Kelly offered to surprise Claire with a visit. Jim Bob and Michelle had plans to drop by the Bates' Tennessee home Monday afternoon and jumped at the chance to go along, so the two couples arranged to meet Claire at the hospital later that evening.

Brad, Claire's father, shares the details of the visit: 

The Duggars had been on the road all day with their family, and yet once they got settled in with [the] Bates and had dinner, they then got in the car and drove from the Bates' home in Lake City to the hospital. There were no cameras, except our own. There was no publicity. They simply got in the car and drove to Knoxville to meet Claire. It was out of pure kindness, I say it was a "God thing." 

Brad said that the four had tears in their eyes as he told them Claire's story.

They all gave her gentle hugs, and Ms. Duggar even gave her sweet kisses on the forehead. Mr. Bates led us in a prayer, and then they just visited with us. They insisted we keep them posted on her recovery. I was truly impressed with the love that God has put in their hearts. I can't thank the Duggar and Bates families enough for the effort they made to make our Claire Bear a very happy little lady. God used them as such a blessing to us, and we are grateful. Most of all, I thank God for progress in Claire's healing and another step toward getting home. Thank you for your continued prayers and please say a prayer for the Duggars and Bates, as well."

16 comments:

  1. They are special people..Thanks Be to God!
    xo

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  2. How wonderful for that young lady!

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  3. Ack!! Don't like Michelle's hair in that shot. I looks like she hasn't brushed it or it at least looks messy. Great story though.

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  4. What a beautuful thing to do esp with no cameras or publicity .I wish we could all be like the duggars it would be heaven on earth truly.! Im trying to be more like them controlling my temper using a more softer tone and getting more into gods word.im sure I would meet them one day with all the traveling they do.they are truly an example of spreading gods word and love .I dont have 19 children but im doing the best with the ones god has blessed me and my husband with.

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  5. this is so sweet. . .thank you for sharing.

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  6. I'm glad the Bates and the Duggars were able to come together for a blessed occasion. I can't wait to see the Bates and Duggars reunite on 19 kids and counting.

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  7. I'm glad the Duggars and Bates reunited for a special occasion.

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  8. Beautiful & uplifting! Will keep Claire in my prayers! Brenda H

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  9. Awwww,that is so sweet!!!!!

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  10. Wow! I was just in Knoxville. Too bad I missed them.

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  11. Met a few of the Duggar girls while working today (Goodwill in Jacksboro, TN). They even let me take a picture and gave a lady I work with and I "a million dollars" Haha. I will have to pass it along. Such sweet and Godly girls. Hope they visit again. Thanks girls. - Ashley

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  12. Stephanie from VirginiaAugust 25, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    A least they finally learned to drive to the person in instead of making the person suffering drive 2 hours to see THEM. That happened on their show and it was shameful. With a note on the end of the show, the little girl did pass away soon after. I'm ashamed that I am not sure olf her name. I think it was Janessa. Shame on me for forgetting her name when I prayed for her family.

    If their visit cheered this family up that's good, and I do believe they prayed. And it is good they didn't have TLC there and they drove to her.

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    1. Wow! You sound bitter. We don't know what the schedule was like for the Duggars the day they saw Janessa. Having her drive to see them may of been her only chance to see them while they were in the area. And we also don't know how Janessa was feeling. I'm sure her carers wouldn't of driven her all that way if they thought she wasn't up to it. So if she wasn't up to it, shouldn't your bitterness be directed at the carers and NOT the Duggars? And it's amazing what fresh air can do for a person. Someone as sick as Janessa would of been either stuck in a hospital bed or her own bed because she was too sick to go out. Quite frankly I think Janessa was being rude to Michelle when Michelle rang up to talk to her. But I don't know much about the situation other than what I saw on the show, which is a snippet of real life. And you wouldn't know much about it either.

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  13. nice thing they did for that girl, really kind. Let's pray for her healing and strength for whatever comes on her journey.

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