Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Recap: 'The Big Event'

Counting On, "The Big Event"
  • To reach at-risk youth in his community, Ben Seewald plans a football camp for boys ages 10-14. He has several "coaches" helping him who have experience playing college and professional ball:
    • Jeb Huckeba, defensive end, Seattle Seahawks
    • Cortez McCraney, defensive tackle, Mississippi State and Baltimore Ravens
    • Terry Spencer, offensive line and defensive line, University of Arkansas
    • Reggie Jones, wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
    • Spencer Brown, quarterback, University of Arkansas
    • Steve Conley, defensive end and linebacker, University of Arkansas and Pittsburgh Steelers
  • The day before the camp, the coaches and their wives meet up for dinner.
  • Jessa's siblings help pack "swag bags" containing water bottles, Flame CDs, and Flame wristbands. The Duggar siblings also help out on the day of the camp. 
  • "Our family is really good at assembly lines," says Josiah. "That's all we've ever done. Just passing food around the table takes forever, and the food is cold by the time it gets to you, so we've gotten away from that a long, long time ago."
  • "We put so much work into this, it would be kind of hard to swallow if just a few kids showed up," shares Ben. He ends up welcoming close to 70 kids, and everyone has a blast. 
  • "Ben is amazing," says Jinger. "He has such a compassionate heart and really desires to reach out."
  • Throughout the day, the coaches share their testimonies and their sports trials and successes. 
  • The Duggars don't usually play organized sports, due to their family's size and schedule constraints. But they do play a lot of "unorganized sports" with other kids.
  • If the Duggars were a football team, who would play each position?
    • Ben: "I think Mr. Duggar would be a good coach."
    • Joseph: "My mom's got a pretty good whistle, so maybe she would be the referee."
    • Jinger: "Josie would make a good water boy."
    • Josiah: "I think Jessa would make a good referee."
  • Jinger has been courting Jeremy Vuolo for a little over a month. They are planning a trip to New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to meet Jeremy's extended family. Michelle, Jessa, Ben, and Spurgeon are coming along for the ride. Mama Duggar is really looking forward to meeting Jeremy's relatives.   
  • Jinger doesn't know much about Italian food, so Jeremy's grandmother is going to give her a crash cooking course.
  • "Our courtship is definitely on the fast track," says Jinger. 
  • "I went and met Ben's family two months into our courtship, and then we courted for another nine months before we got engaged," says Jessa. "So meeting the relatives doesn't mean you're getting engaged tomorrow. Now, some people might be getting engaged tomorrow."
  • Later, Jana and Joy make plans to renovate the guest house for Jill and Derick's return to Arkansas. "There's a lot of things I want to do with this house, but [I also want] to be frugal," says Jana. "My dad has taught us from the beginning, just work with what you have." 
  • Jana hopes the Dillards will enjoy her new decorations. She says her style is classic, whereas Jill prefers "hippie" decor. Jessa calls Jill's style "earthy." 
  • If Jana were a color, what color would she be?
    • Jessa: Maroon
    • Jinger: Lavender
    • Joy: Yellow (Jana-banana)
    • Josiah: "She would be something very practical [so] you can come by later and cover that up."
    • Joseph: "She would be the perfect color."
  • Jessa and Ben share an update on their son, who is learning to stand on his own. "Spurgeon is an easy baby," says Jessa. "Of course, as he's getting older, he's getting more of the personality coming out, letting us know who he is and what he wants, but that's a good thing."
  • As the fifth-oldest Duggar, Jessa says she gave her parents "premature gray hairs," so she isn't expecting all her kids to be as easygoing as Spurgeon. 
  • At the end of the episode, Jinger, Michelle, Jessa, Ben, and Spurgeon head out to the airport to meet Jeremy in Dallas. In Laredo, Jeremy packs his bags and makes sure to grab the engagement ring. Tune in to next week's episode for more!

55 comments:

  1. Last week was the Flame Show, this week was the Football Show. Oh, and we got to see Jana hold up paint samples. I think TLC has simply given up trying to make this show work.

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  2. I love watching Ben and Jessa interact. I've always loved Ben. However, his new taste in caps is something else!! Really? Straight brim? I'm sorry, but it looks totally dorky! Why even wear one? No one else really does. Please Ben, get away from that cap!

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    1. Or at least remove the cap while indoors, and while eating.

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  3. Love this show. It's one of the only ones I watch. So uplifting! I would love to run into the Duggar fam if they are going to be in PA! That would be cool!P.S. Still happy that John-David's not courting anyone yet! ;) -@ibsmileyb via twitter

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  4. For an event that Ben planned, seems he didn't do a whole lot. The football players figured it all out, not Ben. Seemed staged.

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  5. Joesph's response, "the perfect color" was super sweet! My brother would probably have said "brown because she's a turd!"

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  6. Loved the show tonight! I always enjoy watching. Such a breath of fresh air. Great job Ben, in your outreach to children. Keep up the good work.

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  7. Wow the guest house is amazing!! I can't wait till next week. I wish Michelle would take a more active roll in the show. And I miss Josie how is she doing? Hopefully she hadn't had any more seizures.

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  8. Ben needs to be told to never again pick up Spurgeon by his arms like he did tonight. You can dislocate your child's elbow or shoulder by doing that. I was shocked when I saw what Ben was doing to Spurgeon. Ouch!

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    1. Totally true about injuring a little one by pulling them up like that. For a family whose older girls supposedly raised the younger kids, they sure are clueless when it comes to child safety.

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  9. Thank-you for sharing your lives... I've watched you all grow Up, the Good, the Bad and the Duggarly.. You're human, loving, and soo close to each other... You are good medicine in a troubled world...

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    1. Yes, every time the show comes on, it's like a dose of much-needed ipecac.

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  10. I enjoyed seeing the football camp, it is so important so sow the seed of God's Word into young people. To see these coaches engaging and investing in the lives of these kids puts a smile on my face. I think Ben and the other men did a great job.

    I was disappointed to yet again only see Jana and her projects for 2 or 3 minutes. It seems like we get these tiny windows into what she's up to just to have the shutters closed when we are about to see her in her element. I really wanted to see more of her garden last week. Growing and raising food for my family is something I am wanting to do. I hope they revisit both the updating of the guesthouse and her garden some time soon. Lily and Ellie if yall have pictures of Jana's garden would you mind posting them if it is aloud?

    I'm still a bit awestruck with how fast Jinger and Jeremy's relationship is progressing. However, if it is truly God's will, than who am I to question the Lord's timetable.

    I look forward to next week's episode, both because I don't watch anything else, and the content of the show. I am definitely interested in meeting a Duggar daughter if it is God's plan.

    God bless yall and have a great week

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    1. The line to meet a duggar daughter probably stretches half-way around Tontitown. How about giving some other deserving girl a chance?

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    2. The Lord leads I will follow. I only want what is in God's plan for my life. That includes the woman He made for me. The Duggar family has raised some fine young ladies, but so have many families. I won't be passing up getting to know a woman because of her last name. Believe me, I'm looking for my proverbs 31 woman. Jana ticks all the boxes for a Godly woman I'm looking for and I won't close a door before God does.

      God bless

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  11. So, this says that in this episode they've been courting a little over a month (and they've also said they started courting in December). But yet, they're getting engaged on this trip, but they didn't get engaged til this summer, supposedly? How does that work, exactly? I'm genuinely confused.

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  12. Great job, Ben!!!
    I like what you're doing for the kids in your community, may the lord bless you and your family

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  13. I love this program! I hope it continues on and on!!! :)

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  14. I enjoyed the show. I think it's great that Ben has such a heart for the youth. The world needs as much of that as possible everywhere. I'm excited for Jinger and Jeremy. Can't wait to see more.

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  15. Ooooh nooooo, I can hear it now, all the jealousies coming out of the woodwork about the nice guest house for a Jill and Derick.Let's not be so transparent and be happy for them instead, in fact I wish they had a guest castle as I'm not the jealous type.Let's not covet y'all,it's unbecoming to say the least.

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    1. @3:53. I don't think it's about jealousy or coveting. I think a lot of us feel it is the Dillard's/Duggars extended family etc that has trouble with transparency. We all know the Duggars started their show over a decade ago on the premise of being different--in the world, but not of it so to speak. They have been caught in lies and cover-ups since then over and over--the Dillard's have spent more time traveling back and forth to Arkansas ( or have family and TV crews visit them) than actually doing any ministry. Jill has admitted she doesn't even leave her newly built air conditioned home to meet the ladies in the community. She doesn't help the local women with the delivery of their children, which again was the premise of getting that "midwife" certificate. The Dillard's asked for donations for their ministry, but flew multiple times back and forth for parties, weddings etc. So much so they offered refunds due to lack of accountability as to actually using the money for missions. Most of us whom are missionaries or support missionaries go for years without being able to come back let alone take yet another extended vacation in under a year. What we see is a family that isn't any different than any other reality tv family. They live very large--shopping, vacations, extended vacations, fashion tips, makeup tutorials, Ben taking credit for running an already established football camp etc. My point is I think watching the Dillard's on their extended vacation living in a very opulent home is the proverbial straw that broke the camels back. I don't think most of us begrudge them their material wealth--it's the lying of "we are just humble , thrift shopping, missionaries " that is starting to get under people's skin.

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    2. Clapping loudly for 6:22am. Very well stated. And thank you for letting it post, because it is the truth.

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    3. Unfortunately you are right.

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    4. Then don't watch, so therefore you won't need to get upset about T.V people who have absolutely nothing to do with your day to day life. I could care less what some of my other shows families do in their personal life, it doesnt affect my life in any way, as it shouldn't.To give that much power over ones life is not healthy for your mind, body and soul.So much is speculated or rumored and unless you know them and live along with them, you know absolutely nothing about them other than what you choose to believe,or what the trash tabs want you to think is true.Life is too short just be the best you can be and be kind to one another.Remember the content don't criticize and the happy don't harp ,like I have said a many time before.Smile😉

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    5. 6:22 this is very well said and very well written.

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    6. I agree 6:22. Well said. - Carol

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  16. Great to see Ben had a successful program for the kids.
    I don't understand face lift being necessary on guest house.
    Jinger is center minded leading up to trip. Ending lunch bag let down.

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  17. I thought the show last evening was pretty slow moving. The football part was rather boring. Looking forward to next episode when Jinger gets to see Jeremy.

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  18. I cant wait till next week. I know I'm wishing my life away. But I know Jinger is going to be shocked and I bet she crys. Can't wait can't wait

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  19. I don't know if the producer or director has changed or not but the show keeps getting better! They are adding light hearted moments that make me laugh. Loved the questions about the differences in Italian meals and the football questions. Great job on the show to all involved! It's so much more fun now!

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  20. This was one of the best episodes. I love that Ben has stepped up and showing his strength in his conviction to the Lord! He has grown so much and showed he's not afraid to be inclusive of people he might not have grown up around! He showed that he's more than a pretty face!! and a hunk of a man!

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  21. Of course next week it's going to be the engagement... So it IS true that they started officially courting this year in may, as it first seemed when they announced it. I guess they were boyfriend and girlfriend before officially courting, as the Bates do. The way the seemed to interact before officially courting was definitely warmer than what Jill and Jessa did with their partners. Every relationship reqlly is different, even with the Duggars' strict rules.

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  22. Life champs.com organized the football event, not Ben. While I think it's great he was able to reach children through life champs, please give credit where credit is due. This episode made it look like Ben was the one putting on the camp.

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  23. So glad to see Ben giving back to kids. Wish the show would focus more on that...the kids giving back instead of cooking, courting, shopping, makeup etc. it makes the Duggars seem very superficial and I'm sure they're not.

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    1. Ben took all the credit and got all the camera glory for this event, but it wasn't his to take!

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    2. Wasn't the first time we were led to believe one thing on this show when in fact, something completely different was true. Don't they think viewers can fact check, especially when they emblazon an organization's name on the screen? I mean, this does seem to be the season when we're all encouraged to be enlightened and fact check what we hear someone say on TV!

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  24. That's their "guest house"? It looks like a million dollar home! I didn't think it was very frugal to repaint the entire house just because they don't care for the yellow. Shouldn't Jill be happy to have this mansion to live in for free? This part of the show seemed very vain and not the modest/frugal duggars we saw when they were younger.

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    1. I don't think Jill will care one way or the other if they paint it or not. I think it is very sweet that Jana wants to make it nicer for her sister. Obviously we didn't get a really good look at the walls. They may all be marked up and in need of painting. I wouldn't like that yellow either, so I don't blame them for painting over it. Jana said that she had a budget, so she isn't just going out and blowing money. She didn't go to a new furniture store and order all new furniture. I don't see how it is vain to make a house look nice.

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    2. It did not look like a million dollar home. It was nice looking but not a million dollar nice. My house is bigger than that house, and it was significantly less than half a million. House prices are determined by the area they are located in. They don't live in California!

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    3. That house would def. sell for $1M or more here, especially if it had land around it, and I'm in a fairly average part of the world. The taxes would be big, too.

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    4. It has 1.5 acres around it.

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  25. I've watched the show since the beginning. It's getting really hard to relate to them when they have a guest house that is more beautiful than 90% of the population. I feel they are starting to flaunt their wealth and that disappoints me as they initially tried to be frugal/save money.

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    1. Their guest house is very nice looking but more beautiful than 90% of the population? I don't think so. I live in an area where most of the houses look like that. There are a lot of houses way bigger and more expensive and nicer than these. As I understand it, they bought a house that a neighbor was selling. That is part of what the Duggers do for a living is buy and sell houses. With that many children, it makes sense for them to own another home. Can you even imagine once all of their children are married and have their own children, how many will be at their house for the holidays?

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  26. Doesn't look like Ellie is posting many (if any) comments this week. What gives?

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    1. I agree with you. Do the blog or move in.

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    2. I don't think this is Ellie's only job. Perhaps she had to help her husband this week, maybe she's working on her book, maybe her wrists hurt, maybe she isn't feeling well or maybe they have had an out break of brown recluse spiders. Please don't think that Ellie sits at her computer screen waiting for comments to go through. She gets to it when she gets to it. Chill out. Don't worry Ellie, we have your back! ;-)

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    3. Thanks for understanding. I did have a busy week, but I'm caught up on comments now. :)

      Ellie

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    4. Thanks for getting caught up because usually you post the recaps so fast (like within minutes of the show ending), and this week there were no comments for days. We do like to discuss the show, so we were tapping our feet waiting!

      Outbreak of spiders, lol.

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  27. What about the ratings?

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    1. Yes, what's going on? Can TLC keep justifying this show with some ratings to back it up? They did this type of show (older kids) instead of the other type, but hasn't it been flopping? What's next? Spinoff with Amy?

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  28. Why has everyone stopped praying on the show? I never see them bow their heads and pray anymore. I have to fast forward through Bens parts he makes me sleepy.

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    1. I agree. It's lost a lot of its original core values. Maybe the family has as well? That can happen when you become rich.

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    2. You are confusing what the family does with what TLC films and airs.

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  29. There was absolutely no reason for Jessa and Ben to tag along on this trip. Michelle states this could be her only opportunity to meet Jeremy's family? Why does she say that? This woman is always traveling and is hardly home..also, if it was for families to meet, it would have been more appropriate for Jinger and both her parents to accompany her on this trip. They don't need J&B tagging along. I also think constant chaperoning when visiting family, is ridiculous.

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  30. I noticed that too. When tic canceled 19 kids, the duggars were lucky to get a second chance in tv. Since there was a lot of public backlash, (my guess) is that the duggar family is probably trying to keep the show and not appear overly religious. While I can see that fame and fortune seem to have changed this family, I have noticed that they have changed to conform to viewers. For example I believe we are seeing jinger on a rush to the alter so it can be part of a tlc season highlight. That's why I hope that both Jeremy and jinger are marrying for all the right reasons because the timeline for marriage seems rushed and scripted for the tv show. This is what I mean by trying to conform.

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