The Many Hairstyles of Derick Dillard

In late February, we shared photos of Derick Dillard's home haircut. Some of you asked to see a progression of his hairstyles, so we put one together. It took quite a bit of time, as his hair has gone through several chances since he and Jill first met. Enjoy!

Waiting at the airport in Nepal to meet Jill for the first time in late 2013...

 Derick Dillard

Touring Nepal..

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard

Reuniting in early 2014 after Derick returns from Nepal...

 Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard

Date with Jessa and Ben in early 2014...

Derick Dillard, Jill Duggar, Jessa Duggar, and Ben Seewald

Studying in early 2014...

Enjoying the snow in the early months of 2014...

Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar

April 2014 engagement...

Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard

Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar

 Early months of marriage (summer and fall 2014)...

 Jill and Derick Dillard

 Jill and Derick Dillard

Jill and Derick Dillard

December 2014...

Jill and Derick Dillard

Early 2015...

Jim Bob Duggar, Derick Dillard, Jill Dillard, 

Michelle Duggar, and Cathy Dillard Byrum

Jill and Derick Dillard

Home from the hospital, April 2015...

Jill and Derick Dillard

Summer 2015...

Jill, Derick, and Israel Dillard

Fall 2015...

Derick Dillard and James Duggar

Jill, Derick, and Israel Dillard

December 2015...

Jill and Derick Dillard

February 2016...

Jill and Derick Dillard

Easter 2016...

Jill, Derick, and Israel Dillard

4th of July 2016...

 Jill, Derick and Israel Dillard

August 2016...

 Derick and Israel Dillard

Christmas 2016...

Jill, Derick, and Israel Dillard with Dan and Deena Dillard

January 2017...

 Derick and Israel Dillard

February 2017 haircut...

 Derick Dillard

 Jill, Derick, and Israel Dillard

March 2017...

Jill, Derick, and Israel Dillard

If you enjoy this blog, check out our other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photos courtesy TLC, DCL, dillardfamily.com, duggarfamily.com, Jinger Duggar Vuolo

Derick Turns 28

Happy 28th birthday, Derick! He and Jill Dillard have been back in Central America for three weeks and will remain there until they return to Arkansas for the birth of their second son, due in July. Take a walk down memory lane with these snapshots:

 Derick Dillard and his late father, Rick Dillard

 Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard meet for the first time (in Nepal)

Fall 2013

 Jill and Derick in Nepal

 Jill and Derick in Arkansas 

January/February 2014

 Jill and Derick's engagement

April 2014

Jill and Derick's wedding (pictured with Lily and Ellie, blog authors)

June 21, 2014

 Thanksgiving with Derick's mom and brother, 2014

 Preparing to be parents!

 Baby shower for Israel Dillard

 Bringing Israel home from the hospital, following an emergency C-section

April 2015

Proud parents at Israel's baby dedication

 Jill, Derick, and Israel on the mission field, 2015

 Derick and Israel, January 2017

If you enjoy this blog, check out our other blogs (NashvilleWife.com and BatesFamilyBlog.com).

Photos courtesy TLC/DCL, dillardfamily.com, duggarfamilyblog.com

Dillards Share How Donations Are Used

Jill and Derick Dillard take Israel Dillard camping to celebrate his 18-month milestone

Jill and Derick Dillard just shared a ministry update via their website. We have posted the highlights below, and you can read the rest at dillardfamily.com.

Most of you are aware that the Dillards have been home since early August. During their time in Arkansas, Jill and Derick have been taking seminary courses, partnering with local mission organizations, and preparing for their return to Central America.

"Through focused time of Bible study in our classes, we hope to be more equipped missionaries, both here in the states as well as when we return to Central America," Derick explains to supporters.

Derick has also been working a number of jobs, including substitute teaching, to support his family. Jill, a Certified Professional Midwife since last fall, has used her midwifery skills to deliver babies while in Arkansas.

In his update, Derick makes it clear that the money that supporters have graciously donated to Dillard Family Ministries is being used to "help both the physically and spiritually destitute" in Central America.

"We are thankful that we’ve been able to put ministry funds to the most direct use in Central America and have been able to cover all of our travel, except one trip, and other indirect expenses with non-ministry funds," writes Derick.

During their time in the States, Jill and Derick Dillard have had opportunities to speak with various groups, including children of AWANA Clubs International and ladies of the Women's Missionary Union, about their work as missionaries in Latin America and Derick's experiences in Nepal. Their goal with those presentations is to "engage the American Church in missions" and to share the importance of "believers' involvement."

"As with anything in my life, my desire is to emulate the character and work of Jesus Christ the best I can," Derick writes at the end of his letter. "I truly believe that we are living in a generation with unique opportunities that God is using to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven quicker than any of us may realize.  And, I love having a front-row seat to just get a glimpse of how God is going to fulfill Revelation 7:9."

Photo courtesy dillardfamily.com

Dillards Respond to Nepal Earthquake

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard in Nepal, November 2013

The country of Nepal holds a special place in the hearts of Jill and Derick Dillard. After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and a minor in economics, Derick spent two years in Nepal doing humanitarian work. During that time, Jim Bob Duggar supported him as a prayer partner.

Towards the end of Derick's time in Nepal, Jim Bob encouraged him to begin getting to know Jill via Skype, texting, and snail mail. Then in November 2013, the Duggar dad took his daughter to meet Derick in Nepal, and Jill and Derick officially began courting. Derick returned home to Northwest Arkansas in early 2014. He and Jill were saddened to hear about the earthquake that devastated the nation of Nepal on Saturday. For those looking to donate money or stay updated on relief efforts, Derick recommends an organization called Baptist Global Response.

Photo courtesy TLC

Recap: "A Toast to Love"

On tonight's episode of 19 Kids and Counting, "A Toast to Love"...

• Derick is finally returning home to Northwest Arkansas after spending two years doing humanitarian work in Nepal. Jill enlists her army of siblings to design posters and blow up balloons to prepare to meet Derick and his mom at the airport.
• "I've never seen Jill so excited about anything," says Jim Bob.
• Jim Bob and Jill are the only Duggars who have met Derick. "I feel like I know him because Jill talks about him all the time," says Michelle. "Of course Jill has explained more than I would ever need to know about Derick and what a great guy he is."
• When the Duggar welcome crew arrives at the airport, Jill lines everyone up and grabs a heart sign that reads "I've waited 60 days for this moment." Derick's brother and stepfather are also there.
• When Derick comes into view, he and Jill run to meet each other and engage in a full-on hug.
• "I think the intentions were to do a side hug, but I think they both were caught off guard," says Michelle, smiling. "Needless to say, they probably won't let that happen again."
• Derick, who says the experience was "a bit overwhelming," gives side hugs to the rest of Jill's family. Four-year-old Josie asks him if he is going to marry Jill.
• Jim Bob and Michelle take Jill and Jessa and their boyfriends out for a triple date. "Tonight I have planned a special triple date for all of the Duggar couples to get to know on another better," says Michelle.
• Jim Bob, Michelle, Jill, and Jessa Duggar, Derick Dillard, and Ben Seewald enjoy a meal and an etiquette class at the beautiful home of a local family and their dog, George W. During dinner, Ben makes "a toast to love."
• Later, while Jim Bob and Michelle are out of the house, the Duggar kids prepare a dinner theater for their parents. Jana is in charge of the operation.
• Joy-Anna's job is to teach "Jesus Loves Me" to the five youngest, and she brings in cousin Amy Duggar to help.
• Joseph, Derick, and Ben construct the stage, while Jessa and Jinger make dinner (steak, sweet potato fries, salad, rolls, and asparagus) and the rest of the kids clean the house.
• When Jim Bob and Michelle arrive home, they are pleasantly surprised by all the work the kids have put into the Duggar Dinner Theater. While Mom and Dad enjoy their dinner, the kids perform music and skits, and Jeremiah recites a touching poem thanking his parents for investing in their kids' lives.

Tune in next week for the season finale, and watch Derick pop the question!

Recap: "The Big Question"

Tonight on 19 Kids and Counting, "The Big Question"...

• Jim Bob, Jill, and Derick browse through a busy shopping district in Nepal to buy souvenirs. "Everybody's always trying to sell you something," says Jill
• While buying purses for Jill's sisters, Jim Bob pulls his daughter aside and asks an important question: "How do you think it's going with you-know-who over there?" Jill says she thinks it's going well and that she has really enjoyed getting to know Derick in person.
• When Jill asks Jim Bob what he thinks of her potential suitor, Jim Bob's answer is vague, although he has already given Derick permission to ask Jill to begin a courtship. "I like him," said Jim Bob. "I think your mom will really like him.
• Meanwhile, Dericks slips away to buy a heart necklace. 
• Derick and the Duggars get a lift to the Monkey Temple in a tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled taxi. The ride only costs 20 cents. Jim Bob jokes that if Derick and Jill's relationship continues to progress, they might "have a lot of monkeys" one day.
• Jill, a student midwife, volunteers at a birthing center in Kathmandu, Nepal. She examines a woman who is 36 weeks pregnant and is hearing her baby's heartbeat for the first time. Jill hopes to work as a missionary someday and provide medical care to women and babies.  
• Meanwhile, Jim Bob conquers his fear and gets a traditional Nepali shave with Derick.
• Does Jill prefer seeing Derick with or without a beard? She says he looks good both ways but that she likes a little facial hair.
• Back home in Arkansas, James teaches Michelle how to use a slingshot, and Jinger shows Joy-Anna how to make bread. Joy plans to make bread for the family once a week, which used to be Jinger's jurisdiction. 
• Over video conferencing, the three travelers catch up with Michelle and a few of the Duggar girls. When Derick asks Jill's family if there is anything he should know about her, Jessa chimes in: "She is one of the more emotional ones in the family. She's very sympathetic, very caring."
• The next day, just as Jim Bob and Jill are loading their bags into a taxi and heading for the airport, Derick pulls Jill aside. "If it's alright with you, I'm interested in starting an official courtship," he says. How does Jill respond? "Yeah, that would be awesome. Totally."
• Derick presents his girlfriend with a heart necklace made of emerald, Jill's birthstone.
• "Your whole life, we've prayed for a godly man for you, and we had to come 8,000 miles to find him, but here he is," Jim Bob says to his daughter. "You're a great young man," he tells Derick. "God bless your work."
• Derick looks forward to meeting the rest of the Duggars when he returns home to Arkansas in two-and-a-half months. 

 Here's a picture of the heart necklace that Derick gave to Jill:

Tonight on TLC

Jim Bob and Jill Duggar's adventure in Nepal continues tonight on TLC. Tune in at 9PM EST/8PM CST for 19 Kids and Counting "The Big Question." Here's a video preview:

Pictures from Nepal

On this week's episode of 19 Kid and Counting, "Going the Distance for Love," Jim Bob and Jill Duggar travel to Nepal to meet Derick Dillard. Next week, watch as Derick and Jill's love saga continues on TLC. Here are some photos from their first days together:

Derick Dillard waits for Jim Bob and Jill to arrive in Nepal

 Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar share their first hug

 Jim Bob, Jill, and Derick try on traditional Nepali clothing

 Jim Bob Duggar and Jill Duggar know this will probably 

be the most time they spend together for the rest of their lives

 Jill Duggar

Derick and Jill

 Enjoying traditional Nepali food at a rooftop restaurant

 Jill and Derick

 Sightseeing in Nepal

 Shopping for souvenirs for the rest of the Duggar family

 Jill and Derick pose for a picture with local children

 Derick gives Jill a lift on his motorbike

 Derick and Jill feed monkeys in Nepal

Derick and Jill take a ride in a tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled taxi