Saturday, November 30, 2013

Preorder "Growing Up Duggar"

The Duggar girls have been hard at work writing their first book, Growing Up Duggar. It is set to release on March 4th, 2014, and can be preordered on Christan Book, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

In their book, the four oldest Duggar girls give readers an inside look at what it's like to be a Duggar kid, as they talk about their own faith and perspectives on life. As they look at the different relationships in their lives, the girls share how they resolve conflict, their dreams and plans for the future, details on courtship vs. dating, and much more. 

Extended Summary:
In a rare look inside America’s favorite mega-sized family, the four eldest girls talk about their faith, their dreams for the future, and what it’s like growing up a Duggar.

Airing weekly throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, 19 Kids and Counting has transformed the Duggar family into a media phenomenon. The Duggar children are frequently asked, “Tell the truth; do you really agree with the lifestyle your parents have created for you?” Now, the four eldest Duggar girls—Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger—open up about the blessings and advantages of living the Duggar lifestyle.

With a backdrop of the key relationships in their lives—relationship with self, parents, siblings, friends, boys, and God—the four Duggar girls write about their own personal faith and convictions, boys, dating, manners, living in a large family, politics, and much more. You’ll learn how the family navigates the difficult years between twelve and sixteen and what the girls look for in a man, all in a frank and fun book that will inspire teens and adults alike.

Including lighthearted stories about the younger kids’ antics, Growing Up Duggar is a wise and entertaining trip into a family like no other. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Do the Duggars Fight?

"People ask us all the time, they say 'I watch your show, and I never see you guys fight.' And I'm like, 'Well, we do have an editing staff."' -Josh Duggar

Here's another video from Josh's interview with Living Waters' Ray Comfort:

Video no longer available

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Mackynzie's Got Style

The oldest grand-Duggar is developing a sense for fashion from a young age. Can you believe Mackynzie Duggar is already four years old?


Friday, November 22, 2013

Josh Duggar on Courtship

Here's another segment of Living Waters' "Comfort Zone" with guest Josh Duggar. In this clip, Josh discusses his family's philosophies on dating, as well as principles that he and Anna followed during their courtship.

Video no longer available.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Duggar-Sized Orchestra

The Duggar orchestra performs "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at the 2013 Values Voter Summit in Washington DC:


Video Credit: Jessica W.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Monday, November 18, 2013

ID These Duggars

Here are a few pictures from the 2013 Values Voter Summit that the Duggars attended last month in Washington D.C. Can you identify the Duggar in each photo? The answers are listed at the bottom of this post.

Also, be sure to enter our latest giveaway.

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 The Duggar kids perform music at the 2013 Values Voter Summit


1. Anna Duggar
2. James Duggar
3. Jason Duggar
4. Jeremiah Duggar
5. Jim Bob Duggar
6. Josh Duggar
7. Josiah Duggar

Photo Credit: Jessica W.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Giveaway: You Pick the Prize

Just in time for the holidays, we are hosting a giveaway with THREE winners. And here's the best part: you choose the prize.

1. 17 Kids and Counting (Season 1 DVD)
2. 18 Kids and Counting (Season 2 DVD)
3. 18 Kids and Counting (Season 3 DVD)
4. 19 Kids and Counting (Season 4 DVD)
5. 19 Kids and Counting 2014 Wall Calender
6. 19 Kids and Counting Logo iPhone 4 Case
7. 19 Kids and Counting Logo iPhone 5 Case
8. The Duggars: 20 and Counting (1st book)
9. A Love That Multiplies (2nd Book



 This giveaway is open to everyone.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Photos: Erin Bates' Wedding

Enjoy these photos of the Duggars at Erin Bates' wedding, courtesy of Jessica, a loyal reader who attended the event.

 Jason Duggar and Michael Duggar


 Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald
(Click here to read more about Jessa Duggar's courtship)

Waiting for the bride and groom
The kids admire their work on Chad and Erin's getaway car



Happy Birthday to Duggar #14

Wishing Justin Duggar a Happy 11th Birthday!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Vision Forum Ministries Closing its Doors

Early this week, following Doug Phillips' resignation from his position as a board member and as president of Vision Forum Ministries, the Vision Forum Board of Directors announced its decision to discontinue operations.

In a statement published to the ministry's website, Doug explains the reason for his resignation:

There has been serious sin in my life for which God has graciously brought me to repentance. I have confessed my sin to my wife and family, my local church, and the board of Vision Forum Ministries.  I engaged in a lengthy, inappropriate relationship with a woman. While we did not “know” each other in a Biblical sense, it was nevertheless inappropriately romantic and affectionate. 

There are no words to describe the magnitude of shame I feel, or grief from the injury I caused my beloved bride and children, both of whom have responded to my repentance with what seems a supernatural love and forgiveness. I thought too highly of myself and behaved without proper accountability. I have acted grievously before the Lord, in a destructive manner hypocritical of life messages I hold dear, inappropriate for a leader, abusive of the trust that I was given, and hurtful to family and friends. 

My church leadership came alongside me with love and admonition, providing counsel, strong direction and accountability. Where I have directly wronged others, I confessed and repented. I am still in the process of trying to seek reconciliation privately with people I have injured, and to be aware of ways in which my own selfishness has hurt family and friends. I am most sensitive to the fact that my actions have dishonored the living God and been shameful to the name of Jesus Christ, my only hope and Savior.

This is a time when my repentance needs to be proven, and I need to lead a quiet life focusing on my family and serving as a foot soldier, not a ministry leader. Though I am broken over my failures, I am grateful to be able to spend more time with my family, nurturing my wife and children and preparing my older sons and daughters for life. So, for these reasons I want to let my friends know that I have stepped down as a board member and as president of Vision Forum Ministries. The Board will be making provision for the management of the ministry during this time. To the friends of this ministry, I ask for your forgiveness, and hope that you will pray for the Phillips family at this time..."

After prayer and careful consideration, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close Vision Forum Ministries. Doug Phillips will still retain ownership of Vision Forum Inc., a private company that exists to "communicate a vision of victory to Christian families through edifying books, films, toys, curriculum, and other resources." However, Vision Forum has cancelled all of its upcoming conferences, and Doug has stepped down from his role of traveling speaker.

The Duggars are not directly involved in Vision Forum Ministries, although they have been guest speakers at several conferences sponsored by Vision Forum over the years.

Homeschooling the Duggars

Here's another segment of Josh Duggar's appearance on Living Waters' "Comfort Zone" with host Ray Comfort. The show was filmed while Josh and Anna Duggar were visiting California late last month. In this segment, Josh shares about his experiences with homeschooling.

"I remember my dad bringing us into the kitchen and teaching us about cooking," jokes Josh. "That wasn't really the best idea that he had, but we did learn something."

Video no longer available

Monday, November 11, 2013

Duggar Graduation #8 of 19

Over the weekend, the Duggars celebrated Josiah Duggar's high school graduation. What advice would you offer to the 17-year-old as he enters this new season of life?


Interview with Jana Duggar and Erin Bates

In the following video interview, Jana Duggar and Erin Bates talk about their experiences on Journey to the Heart. The first part of the interview is focused on Erin, and Jana is introduced at 7:45.

Journey to the Heart is a ten-day retreat created for young men and women and now also available for parents. Jana and her sisters have all attended the Journey as participants and as volunteers. Participants meet in the Chicago suburbs and drive up to the Northwoods Conference Center in Watersmeet, Michigan, with the goal of drawing near to God, while enjoying the beautiful outdoors and forming lifelong friendships. Click here for more information on the Journey.


A Journey Interview with Erin Bates and Jana Duggar from IBLP on Vimeo.

Thanks to one of our loyal readers for sending us the link to this video!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Keeping Up with the Bates Family

If you are an avid watcher of 19 kids and Counting, you  have probably met Gil and Kelly Bates and their 19 children. Family friends with the Duggars and featured on several episodes of 19 Kids and Counting, the Bates started in a four-week TLC series called United Bates of America, which was canceled in October 2012.

Here are a few Bates family updates. Visit our page about Gil and Kelly and their clan to read more, or check out Kelly's blog.

Alyssa Bates said "Yes" to John Webster's offer of courtship on November 6, 2013, just three days before her 19th birthday.


Erin Bates and Chad Paine, engaged in August 2013, tied the knot on November 2nd. The couple had been courting since January.


On September 12, 2013, Zach Bates proposed to Whitney Perkins, a girl he had been courting since July. The wedding is planned for December 14th.

*Photo Credits: Gil and Kelly Bates family

Friday, November 8, 2013

"Following the Lord is an Exciting Adventure"

The Duggars drew a crowd of over 1,000 attendees at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. The family (everyone but Josh and Anna) performed music and signed books (click here to see photos), and Jim Bob and Michelle shared their testimonies (YouTube video below).
 

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Michelle Duggar: "Women Need to Be Informed"

On Monday, the Duggars kicked off their support for the Tennessee Abortion Amendment at Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tennessee, a neighborhood in northeast Nashville. The event drew hundreds of fans and supporters of Amendment 1.

Video no longer available

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Airport Security with 3 Grand-Duggars

During a recent reunion at Josh and Anna Duggar's home in Washington D.C., sisters Anna (Keller) Duggar and Priscilla (Keller) Waller chat about the challenges and blessings of motherhood. They also spend time touring the United States capital. Two YouTube videos are embedded below:




Video courtesy davidlovespriscilla.com

Monday, November 4, 2013

Duggars on the "Mike Huckabee Show"


While in Tennessee today kicking off their campaign for the Tennessee Abortion Amendment, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar dialed into the "Mike Huckabee Show" to discuss their recent political involvement in Tennessee and Virginia. The Tennessee amendment will be voted on in November 2014, but the Virginia election is about to begin. (Election Day is only a few hours away.)

Here are a few highlights from the show:

Tennessee Abortion Amendment:
"[Tennessee] is like the only southeastern state in the United States that doesn't have any informed consent laws or any waiting period or anything. Amendment 1...is a very simple amendment that will allow the state representatives and senators to legislate and make laws regarding abortion."
-Jim Bob Duggar

Race in Virginia and the Duggars' support of Ken Cuccinelli, EW Jackson, and Mark Obenshain: 
"I really believe it's all going to be about voter turnout. And I think if we can get the sleeping giant--the Christians--to wake up, to get out of their easy chair and go vote, I think we can win this thing."
-Jim Bob Duggar

Advice For Moms: Maintaining Harmony in the Home:
"Loving on your children every day, every minute that you get an opportunity to show them that hug, kiss, and then talk to them heart-to-heart. I think it's amazing the things that I learn about each one of them, from my little 3-and-a-half-year-old all the way up to my 23-year-olds, just asking them, 'Hey, how are you doing? What's going on? Is there something that Mom and Dad can be praying for you about?' And I think as we keep those lines of communication open, that's the most precious thing..."
-Michelle Duggar

Duggar #5 Celebrates Her 21st

Wishing Jessa Duggar a Happy Birthday!