Dillards to Return Home Soon

 Israel Dillard with his Oklahoma State University 2nd birthday cake

(OSU is Derick's alma mater)

Jill and Derick Dillard just shared a ministry update and new photos on their website. They have experienced both triumph and tragedy, as they see the fruits of their ministry grow, while mourning the loss of Derick's grandpa, who died earlier this month. "Paw Paw" left behind his wife of almost 62 years.

The Dillards recently put on a series of women's conferences alongside a short-term mission trip from the United States. They have also been investing in youth ministry in their area, in addition to other ministry ventures. Jill and Derick praise God for Israel's recovery from a five-day fever.

 Israel and his little friends

Jill's pregnancy with "Samuelito," as their friends call him, is progressing well. He is due in July, and the Dillards plan to return to the States soon to prepare for the birth.

The Dillards with friends

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Photos are property of dillardfamily.com and may not be used without written permission. (Visit the Dillards' photo album page to see more.)

Derick Dillard Subbing at SHS

What have Jill and Derick Dillard been up to during their extended stay in Arkansas this fall? In addition to spending time with family, they have been working with local mission organizations and taking seminary courses to increase their knowledge of the Bible.

Derick has also been substitute teaching at Springdale High School. (He grew up in the area and graduated from nearby Rogers High School in 2007 before earning his bachelors in business administration from Oklahoma State University.)

Photo courtesy dillardfamily.com

Israel Dillard Almost 10 Months

As Israel Dillard approaches his 10-month birthday, let's see how much he's grown. Check out these adorable pictures of Jill and Derick Dillard's son, taken while sporting his Oklahoma State University monthly milestone stickers. (Derick earned his bachelor's in accounting at OSU, where he followed in his late father's footsteps as the school mascot, Pistol Pete.)

Don't you just love Israel's contagious smiles? Do you think he looks more like a Duggar or a Dillard?

Photos courtesy dillardfamily.com/duggarfamily.com

Israel is 2 Months Old!

The day after Jill and Jessa appeared on The Kelly File to discuss the trial their family walked through more than 12 years ago, Jill and Derick Dillard celebrated their son's two-month birthday. Doesn't that adorable smile just melt your heart?

Israel David Dillard 

Israel is wearing an Oklahoma State University onesie. Click here to read our post about why OSU is so dear to the Dillards' hearts.

Photo courtesy of duggarfamily.com

Derick Dillard is Pistol Pete

Tonight on 19 Kids and Counting, watch Derick Dillard return to his role as Pistol Pete at Oklahoma State University, where he attended college from 2007-2011 (video below). Derick's late father, Rick Dillard, was Pistol Pete during his college days at OSU.

As a freshman, Derick secretly planned to try out for Pistol Pete as a surprise for his father, but Rick passed away unexpectedly in January 2008, due to an unknown heart condition.

"That was the first thing that Derick said when I told him that his dad died: ‘I never got to tell him that I was going to try out for Pete,'" Derick's mom, Cathy Dillard Byrum, told The O'Colly in 2009.

Derick was devastated over the loss of his beloved father, but that did not stop him from accomplishing his goal. If anything, it made him more driven. Derick tried out for Pistol Pete in April 2008 but was unsuccessful. The following spring, he tried out again and made it.

"I think it was a way for him to give something back," Cathy said. "When you lose someone you think of the stuff you wish you'd said, wish you'd done, and this was a way for him to wrap that all up and give it back."

Derick has mentioned that he hopes baby Israel will following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as a third generation Pistol Pete.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Derick Dillard as Pistol Pete

And here's a picture of Derick Dillard (Jill Duggar's fiance) during his days as Pistol Pete, the Oklahoma State University mascot. Derick followed in the footsteps of his late father, Rick W. Dillard, who also attended OSU and wore the Pistol Pete uniform. (See Monday's post for more details.)

Derick Dillard as Pistol Pete, the OSU mascot