Meet Josiah's Girlfriend

Josiah Duggar, 18, entered a courtship with Marjorie Jackson (click here for a picture), 17, on April 6th. Here are a few facts about this impressive young woman:

1. She is the oldest daughter of Greg and Analucia Jackson. Her sisters are Genevieve, Melody, Harmony, and Felicity.

2. She is homeschooled and fluent in Spanish, thanks to her Guatemalan mother.

3. She is already a published author. In her book, The Greatest Book You've Never Read, Marjorie shares why the Bible is worth reading.

4. Her hobbies include piano, singing, musical theater, and art.

5. She enjoys watching black-and-white TV shows.

6. She is currently finishing high school and taking college-level graphic design classes.

Tune in to TLC tomorrow for a new episode of 19 Kids and Counting, featuring a message from Josiah and Marjorie.

Read more on PEOPLE.com.

19 Blessings and Counting

Happy Thanksgiving to our lovely readers! The Duggars came up with 19 things they are thankful for:

1. We are thankful for the Bible that reveals why God made each one of us and His loving plan and purpose for our lives.

2. We are also thankful that the Bible teaches us what God wants us to do and not do.

3. We are thankful for Jesus, God’s son who came to the earth 2,000 years ago, who lived a perfect life and taught us the true meaning of life.

4. We are thankful for the Ten Commandments that make us realize that we all have lied, stolen something, or sinned in some way and need God’s mercy.

5. We are also thankful for Jesus who laid down His own life, suffered being tortured and executed to pay the penalty for the things we have done wrong.

6. We are thankful that we can know for sure that we are going to Heaven when we die by asking for Jesus's forgiveness, turning over the control of our life to Jesus, and asking Him to take us to Heaven when we die.

7. We are thankful for the joy that comes into our life when we become a follower of Jesus and how life starts to make sense.

8. We are thankful [that] as we start reading the Bible, God will start directing our lives in a supernatural way.

9. We are thankful that we can talk to Jesus and share everything with Him, and that He loves us no matter what we have done.

10. We are thankful for God’s Holy Spirit that comes into our spirit after we become a follower of Jesus and helps us navigate through life.

11. We are thankful for prayer, that it is not only us talking to Jesus, but Him also speaking to us in our heart and guiding our life.

12. We are thankful for all of the examples in the Bible of people to model our lives after.

13. We are thankful for the close fellowship and encouragement we can have with others who are also seeking to live for Jesus.

14. We are thankful for the closeness a family can have when each family member is committed to serving God and each other.

15. We are thankful for the joy that comes when we take the opportunity to share with others how they can also have a relationship with Jesus.

16. We are thankful for our country that was founded as one nation under God!

17. We are thankful for all of the women and men who are are in the military who are fighting to protect our freedom, and we are thankful for those in the past who have even given their lives for our country.

18. We are thankful we live America, a country that even though it is not perfect, it is a beacon of hope to everyone in the world!

19. We are thankful for Thanksgiving Day, when each one of us can reflect on all of the blessings God has given us, and commit to make every day a thanksgiving day!

Click here to watch a Thanksgiving video filmed by the Duggar kids. 

Michelle Speaks about Motherhood

During her phone interview with Melissa Caddell (Moms of Preschoolers), Michelle Duggar shared from her heart about the trials and tribulations of motherhood.

Melissa: How do you foster an attitude of “with us” not “against us” between your children?
Michelle: From the time they are very young, I appeal to their conscience. I really try and put them in their sibling’s shoes when they are selfish, do something not nice or try to get someone in trouble. They learn to treat each other the way they want to be treated.

Melissa: How did you learn to speak softly to your children, even when you’re angry? 
Michelle: (Laughs) I haven’t mastered this one yet. Just the other day, several of my boys made a mess in the living room. It was just normal kid stuff, but I got angry and overreacted to the mess.

But I feel that by God’s grace, he is giving me some success over yelling. There are times I have to whisper to myself, “I’m not going to lose it. I am going to stay calm.” 

Melissa: Do your kids see you struggle? 
Michelle: When my boys made the mess in the living room, I didn’t have the right response. All I could see was a big mess on the carpet, and someone needed to clean it up! I was barking this at my boys as they stood there. My 7-year-old didn’t obey me quickly so I sent him to my room to talk to him. He was near tears as he struggled to talk to me. But what he was trying to tell me was that I was getting angry.

Melissa: How do you take care of yourself? 
Michelle: What I really need to re-fuel is alone time with the Lord — though it’s usually not alone as I’m often pregnant or nursing a baby! But I get my second wind late at night, after the kids are in bed. I have some time with my husband and then I read my Bible, devotion or listen to a message.
I love my time in the evenings — no children who need me, no phone calls, no one knocking on the door. I try to get to bed around midnight so I can get up most mornings to exercise before 6 on an elliptical machine. I also text with a friend early in the morning to encourage and pray for each other. It‘s a great time for me.

That was only a snippet of Michelle's chat with Melissa Caddell.  

"Duggars on FIRE" Recap

Anna's Beautiful,
Custom-Tailored
Bridesmaids Dress

On last night's episode of "19 Kids and Counting:"

• Fans were able to see the Duggars' church fellowship in action. They meet in a vacant house with several other families for Bible study, to share a "pot-faith" meal, and to visit for several hours. "The food's usually one of the best parts," said Jim Bob, chuckling.
• Josh and Anna explained their thoughts on early education. They have already begun to teach Mackynzie because she enjoys it, and they know that it will set her up for success.
• "I am ready for another baby whenever God chooses to bless us with one," announced Anna, while Josh looked a little unsure.
• Jana and Jill needed uniforms for the formal, EMT side of the volunteer fire department. Anna, an expert seamstress who made all the bridesmaids dresses for her wedding, helped them turn unisex pants into skirts. 
• Jim Bob raved over his daughters' new outfits. He called them Mackynzie's "fire aunts." Hahaha!
• "Was more material leftover?" Jim Bob asked the girls. "I saw the little boys running around with some headbands."
• The Duggars explained that they are not judgmental in regards to clothing; it is each person's choice. 

What are your beliefs on early childhood education? Do you send your kids to preschool?

What do you believe regarding clothing?