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Tuesday, September 1, 2020

'Meet Gracie Duggar'

Counting On "Meet Gracie Duggar"

  • Abbie is 38.5 weeks along in her pregnancy and is feeling very tired. John films a video for his wife and daughter, in which he tells stories and interviews different members of the family. The Duggars say that John used to be quiet and calm but that he found his romantic side when he met Abbie. 
  • “I am so excited to meet my little niece,” says Jana. “I think there’s just a little bit of a connection there. John is my twin, and so I think it makes it just a little more extra special.”
  • At the Seewald house, the kids are building birdhouses and pine cone bird feeders. After receiving a book about birds for Christmas, Spurgeon is now very interested in birds. Jessa is shocked when Henry spells his name verbally. 
  • Ten days before the due date, John gives Abbie a pedicure, which is something he has been doing since before they were married.  
  • In Los Angeles, Jinger makes Felicity her first playdough. Jeremy works and attends classes Monday through Friday and often has to study in the evenings, so Jinger often has to entertain Felicity. 
  • Eight days before her due date, Abbie goes into labor. Both mothers come over to support the couple. Michelle will fill the role of a doula. They head to the hospital around 2am, when contractions are about five minutes apart, but the ER doctor calls it false labor and sends them home.
  • Later that day, Abbie’s dad comes over and brings her a lot of peace by reading Scripture. Abbie is having hard contractions and is only dilated to 5cm by 4pm. Abbie is admitted into a low intervention room. Meanwhile, Jana and the girls pick up snacks for Abbie and her labor team. 
  • By 10pm, Abbie still has not progressed any further and is completely exhausted. The doctor gives her Pitocin and an epidural so she can sleep. At around 2am, it’s time to start pushing. Grace Annette Duggar arrives at 3:21am. “It’s like a sacred moment, getting to hold her for the first time,” says Abbie.
  • After the family of three returns home, most of the family comes over to meet two-day-old Gracie. “It’s like a clown car, I would stay, trying to fit everybody in John and Abbie’s place,” says Josiah. 
  • Two weeks later, John shows Abbie the video that he filmed before the birth. Abbie is touched. “Just when I think [John] can’t get sweeter, he gets sweeter,” she says.

100 comments:

  1. Everyone had to stand on the lawn and look at baby Bella through a window because it was "flu season," yet exactly 8 weeks later, Lauren brings her over to the "clown car" and they all cram in around her. I don't understand that.

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    1. Lauren probably felt more comfortable at that time

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    2. Maybe because no one was sick and she was a little bit over that new mom hyper-protectiveness?

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    3. Apparently "flu season" was over. lol

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    4. I'd guess Lauren and Josiah now feel that Bella, no longer a newborn, has built up enough immunity that she can go out in public.

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    5. Yeah that doesn’t make sense. Seems like a 8 week old baby would still be vulnerable

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    6. All of those young babies would be vulnerable.

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  2. The clown car comment was the best!

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  3. My goodness these women have long labors. I feel so bad for them, and breathe a sigh of relief when they finally get a bit of relief from the epidermal. I really felt for Lauren because hers didn’t work. Mine didn’t either. Why do some work and some don’t?

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    1. I don't think there's any clear reason why they don't always work as expected. I've had problems with anesthetics during surgeries and the doctors always are surprised when it happens and have never been able to explain why I reacted the way I did.

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    2. Sometimes they’re placed wrong but typically because your body metabolizes it differently

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    3. Lauren always makes a lot of drama. Kendra is happy.

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    4. @3:00 pm I agree. I made a similar comment that was not published. Lauren has a high level of reactionary response.

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    5. Lauren didn't "make a lot of drama." You think she wanted two epidurals or back labor?

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  4. Jessa said Ivy was the 1st run of girls... actually it was Felicity ...😍

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    1. Yes, felicity is the first Duggar girl grandchild. So special.

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    2. Felicity was almost a year older than ivy. Jessa was talking about the ones closer in age, and their moms were pregnant together (for at least part of the pregnancy)

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    3. She meant of all the girls born from Ivy to Gracie. Felicity was almost a year before that string of girls.

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    4. Mackynzie was the first girl among the grandkids!

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    5. To Anon 3:00, Felicity is nowhere near the first girl grandchild. Are you forgetting Mackynzie and Meredith?

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    6. There were no boy grand babies born since Felicity only girls since she was born.

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    7. They are talking about a grandbaby born to a Duggar daughter not a Duggar son (Josh) !!

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  5. I don't know why any woman would want a camera filming most private intimate moments. A laboring woman is vulnerable at that time. It's not modest nor should this be shown to the world. How in the world would someone want their father present during labor is beyond me...and reading Scripture??? How does that help? It goes to show you that money is everything to these people.

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    1. I always wonder about that. Why do they sometimes have their father, mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, etc. with them during different stages of the birth? Isn't the husband enough to accompany you? Or are the midwives' expertise being questioned? You get the impression that there is a certain expectation - if Jana and Jill are not allowed to be there, Michelle has to come along in any case.

      Serious question: Would anyone here who praises these oh-so-wonderful birth episodes take their mother-in-law into the delivery room? Or did someone really do it? I bet: No, unless husband or BFF was unable to attend.

      After all, she was spared giving birth in front of the camera. I would find it strange to have a photographer with me, seems to be a trend in the US ...? But definitely better than being watched by millions of viewers during one of the most intimate moments in life. I just don't get the chastitiy rules of the Duggars - the neckline must by no means be too deep, but you can be watched as you give birth to a baby screaming, moaning and sweating half naked ... strange.

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    2. Having your father there reading Scripture shows that money is everything to these people. Huh. I don't follow your reasoning.

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    3. Or maybe it just shows that different people are comfortable with different things

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    4. Same, girl, same. Her father reading Scriptures during labor is really over the top fundie. :D

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    5. I don't understand the modesty rules and then they give birth with a bunch of extended family members in the room, not to mention TV cameras. I didn't even like doctors and nurses getting to know me in the delivery room.

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    6. I wanted my father with me when i was in labor. Nobody can calm me down more then my dad. Eventually my father decided not to stay necause he alsmost passed out. I had my husband and my mum with me. If i had a second child i really wanted my dad by my side.

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  6. Abbie is a nurse. She knows what to do. They don't need a whole team in the room.

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    1. Abbie only needs her husband and a doctor. Not her father watching on her. Really strange.

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    2. Not all nurses specialize in obstetrics....and when it's you, it's different.

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    3. She needs whoever she needs. Should always be the mom's choice, not random strangers'.

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    4. Being a nurse is not the same as giving birth to a baby. This was personal for her, not clinical, and she's allowed to have whatever support team she feels she needs or wants.

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  7. Why is she in a trailer? They are tv stars and don't have a real house for their family. It is not ok to live an a trailer park near a road.

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    1. Sure it is ok. Their choice is ok.

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    2. I don't think there's anything "wrong" with living in a trailer in a trailer park, but you'd think they could afford a better home. If they have more children which seems likely, there won't be enough room for their family.

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    3. And why is that? Some people have no problem living in a trailer. If Abbie didn't want to live in one, she wouldn't. Sorry she didn't ask your permission first. I'm sure that would have changed her mind.

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    4. It is probably short term, particularly if they intend to extend their family. Gracie isn't crawling around yet. They may be trying to save up for something nicer. Joy and Austin lived in a rec vehicle for awhile and now have a comfortable place to live.

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    5. Excuse me????? What is wrong with living in a trailer, in a trailer park??

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    6. @3:20 pm there is nothing wrong with living in a trailer in a trailer park. I think people are comparing John and Abbie's home to the homes of his married siblings. While they have updated and redecorated the inside, the pics of the out show this is rather old. It is also very small.

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    7. There's nothing wrong with living in a trailer. A trailer often has the same conveniences as a traditional house. The main caution is to have a plan ready to leave the trailer home for a more substantial building in case of a tornado. A tornado can happen without much warning so a plan will need to be ready 24/7.

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    8. There are lots of nice, decent, hardworking people living in trailer parks across the world, thank you very much.

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    9. Trailers aren't suitable for a family because they lack counter space, cupboards, and overall storage. There's no place to "put" things.

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    10. “TV stars” is a stretch. They are less than 10% of a tv show that most people haven’t heard of. I’m sure they get some money, but probably not much. Nothing against them, but I wouldn’t call them tv stars.

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    11. 5:13, it's a matter of living minimally. More and more people are choosing to do that.

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  8. I just love John & Abbie together!

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  9. To each their own. Not a health professional but maybe she saw/read that somewhere or a family member did the same for a new immune system. We learn by the examples around us, whether they’re right, wrong, or weird.

    I had an aunt that wouldn’t let anyone over or leave the house for the first 4 weeks.

    We had visitors after a day or two but asked the sick to stay home and washed hands.

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  10. They are stars on a reality TV and they live in a tiny trailer in a trailer park? I thought people who appeared on TV shows were well paid. Guess I was wrong.

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    1. It didn't look to me like the trailer was in a mobile home park. It's probably situated on Duggar property somewhere. Maybe they're inthe process of building a house or something.

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    2. I wouldn’t call them stars.

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  11. I was so confused watching as they called it "the clown car" arriving at the trailer. Some of the Duggars were dressed as if they were going on an Arctic expedition and some were dressed as if they were going to the pool. Some of the babies were dressed warmly and some not. Were they having strange weather that night or did the camera crew make them go out and come in again several times over? Jana stood in the doorway with the door hanging wide open and a mysterious smile the whole time. I couldn't tell what was going on. It was supposed to be January, so why the unusual range of clothing and the open door? Anyone else catch that?

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    1. @2:27 I did catch all that; especially Jana appearing coy in the doorway! It was so odd!

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  12. I kinda like that at the pushing and birth part the cameras were out of room... if you want to see these episodes this season but can't.. go to YouTube (sabri elmas)

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  13. John's obsession with giving manicures and pedicures is peculiar.

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    1. Pedicures before marriage! That's strange!

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    2. I agree, men should not do those things.

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    3. Obsession? Really? Doing something for his wife that's more meaningful to her than him?

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    4. John's pampering his wife is adorable.

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    5. It's not something you need to share with the world.

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    6. She is probably actually cringing inside.

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    7. Did they really do manicures and pedicures before marriage? Wow.

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    8. I tend to agree. NONE of the men in my family would do anything like that. There's no indication that any of the other Duggar men do that sort of thing with THEIR wife. IMO John is just rather weird in lots of ways.

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    9. John seems over the top frugal, doesn't want to spend on luxuries.

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    10. Anon 1:47. I hope they didn't do that sort of thing prior to marriage. I can't imagine being a "chaperone" while that was going on. It would be so embarrassing IMO.

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  14. I'm not interested in watching a play by play video account of another woman's labor. Why do they show this? These are private times for people not public entertainment. Not modest to describe how 'dialated' a woman's private parts are in the first place.

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    1. I don't like the birth shows either, it is ridiculous that they would think a woman in horrible pain for hours is tv entertainment. If they are doing this so TLC pays the hospital bill then maybe getting a job would be a better choice for money. I'm surprised that Abby a career woman would think her privacy being sold to pay the bills is a better option then working. Maybe her husband instead of hanging around the house all day and giving pedicures should get a job so his daughter can have her privacy that rightfully belongs to her. Sheesh such a weird life!

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    2. A cervix is not a “private part.” It is internal. It is just another part of the inward workings of the human body, like a stomach. Are you against people saying their stomach is full or that it hurts? Can we talk about hearts beating quickly or lungs inflating or muscles being sore? Or are those all private parts? Listen to what you’re saying, and you might consider changing your mind about how birth plays into “modesty.” If you don’t think people should share their birth experience, then don’t share your birth experience and don’t listen to anyone’s birth story. But some people enjoy sharing that special time. It’s not “immodest” by any means, as most humans aren’t sexually aroused by birth and delivery.

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    3. 12:37 Sharing your birthing experience with close family members is one thing but to film your horrible pain and the labor process and filming it for strangers for money is another thing. The poor newborn child deserves her right to privacy and not used to earn money for 2 people who should be working but are being lazy. Sheesh!!

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    4. Who remembers when TLC was The Learning Channel and all day long it was one birth story after another?

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    5. I don't care for the birth shows either. Newborn babies having to make money for their parents is the opposite of anything I ever read in my Bible. The parents are told to put up for their children not the other way around. Good grief let Gracie have a life of dignity, don't sell her life like this. Shameful!!!

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    6. @12:03-“her” father does have a few jobs: reality show member, constable, pilot.

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    7. 12:37 here. Yes, I can agree with you that children shouldn’t be made into entertainment on TV. I do agree with that. I was only responding to the point that birth is “immodest.” It isn’t.

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    8. 6:16 John is a pilot in order to fly himself or his family around. It is not a job with a salary. The constable position has no salary either and it was years ago when they showed him doing that, so it may be over. Of all the adult Duggar men, he seems to be working the least.

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    9. @12:53 He has/had a pilot's license to make deliveries as well as to ferry family members around. You used to be able to track where the Duggar planes were flying.

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  15. Happy for John and Abbie. Little Grace! What a blessing. So sweet that Jana and Grace have a strong connection! Thank you for the recap!

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  16. The home of John and Abbie is a cozy peaceful place full of love! I felt privileged to have them share their story. The newborn looks more like Abbie's father or mother, I thought.

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    1. Cozy? It is a trailer park.. They should get a real house like the rest of the kids.

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    2. You can make any house a cozy home inside no matter the size or what it looks like on the outside. It seems kind of snobbish to say otherwise.

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    3. Peaceful? In a trailer park that faces on a busy street? Not to me. I live in a house on a quiet street in a nice subdivision.

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    4. I live in a 2 story building on the 2nd floor. There are many roads around me and on Fridays market right in front of my building

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  17. I enjoyed everything on the show. My dad and I enjoyed the bird houses. I was so happy for John and Abbie. I hate seeing the season coming to an end but I always can't wait for the next show. Natasha b

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  18. Congratulations John and Abbie! It’s funny cause the show is always eight months behind. My friend watches with me and asked me about it. I told it does get confusing.

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  19. The births and games are becoming redundant. I know it’s reality but the viewers could use a new courtship!

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    1. I think showing the births over and over is pretty lame. There doesn't seem to be a courtship on the horizon though so they don't have much else to show.

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    2. @1:51-I think many of us hear feel the courtship, engagement, wedding, baby is redundant!!! I guess should Jana ever court; then ratings would be through the roof!

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    3. I like the shows were they do the game challenges and holiday get togethers, but I don't watch the birth shows or wedding shows. Those shows are a dime a dozen and become boring and uncomfortable so those I don't ever watch.

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  20. Grace is beautiful. God Bless.
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

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  21. Jessa was staring at Ben soooo much while he was talking that it seemed like she was mocking the family's tradition of the women watching their men talk....so exaggerated that it seemed like a joke!

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  22. I really enjoyed the Sept. 1st, episode of Counting On. I thought that it was really sweet of John, to make a special video, for Abbie, and Grace. I also enjoyed seeing Jessa and Ben, helping their children, to make bird houses.

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    1. I wasn't interested in watching pre-schoolers do arts and crafts. Waste of TV time.

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  23. Maybe it's just me, but I find John's nail fetish rather bizarre. I can't imagine any normal man being that preoccupied with his wife's nails.

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    1. 4:00. I feel the same way. If I asked my husband to do my nails, his first reaction would be WHAT?! and then if he grumbled enough and agreed to do it, I'd get some polish job that looked like someone had slapped paint on the outside of a barn. I think most men would approach the job with the same mindset.

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    2. If I asked my husband to do my nails, he'd take me to the nearest nail salon. lol

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    3. Mine would get out hedge clippers and a rasp and think that would do the job.

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    4. I’d rather have my husband do my nails than have my father reading me scripture or my mother in law baby-voicing me during hard labor pains!

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  24. John was giving pedicures during their courtship? Who got to chaperone that activity? I'm glad it wasn't ME. Watching someone groom their intended spouse is DISGUSTING IMO.

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    1. If some guy I was dating wanted to do my nails, I'd say "good-by" to him in short order. EWWWW.

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    2. They are not allowed to hold hands during courtship. But God says it’s ok to hold feet. John is the only one to have figured that out. I think he is the smartest of the bunch in so many ways.

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