Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)

[AstridM]

1 hour ago, mythoughtis said:

$5000 a month 12 months a year is good.  $5000 for 3 months a year- not so good.  April, May, June.  When the really hot weather starts in July, the mowing slows down. It’s done in late October. The good lawn services offer landscaping and then snow removal in the winter. 
 

In addition, there is maintenance, gas and oil on both the machines and the truck to transport them. Insurance etc.   

not to mention huge amounts of self employment taxes. 

[EmeraldGirl]

Yeah, my in-laws in the Midwest had a guy cut the grass, and in the winter he switched to plowing the driveways and cleaning sidewalks. I live in the south, so people do pools as well as landscaping all year long and make a good living at it. Maybe someone should head to Florida with Nurie. Jill would have more incentive to go south. They’re not tied to Ohio in any way (except for fake devotion to family), why don’t they just move to Florida? Then they wouldn’t have to take their big drive south.

[andromeda331]

1 hour ago, EmeraldGirl said:

Yeah, my in-laws in the Midwest had a guy cut the grass, and in the winter he switched to plowing the driveways and cleaning sidewalks. I live in the south, so people do pools as well as landscaping all year long and make a good living at it. Maybe someone should head to Florida with Nurie. Jill would have more incentive to go south. They’re not tied to Ohio in any way (except for fake devotion to family), why don’t they just move to Florida? Then they wouldn’t have to take their big drive south.

I really thought they would have Nurie married and moved there. I was sure Jill would move the family the immediately after.

[merylinkid]

1 hour ago, EmeraldGirl said:

why don’t they just move to Florida? Then they wouldn’t have to take their big drive south.

Because if they lived there, Jill wouldn't have an excuse to take a month long vacation every February to go visit her.   Jill is definitely not taking a month long vacation to visit her parents in West Virginia in the middle of winter.

[ALittleShelfish]

Maybe Jill hasn't found the perfect Amish/Mennonite community to insert herself into yet.

[oliviabenson]

Jill is selling the dress she wore to tims wedding. she is still wearing that dress lol. whoever buys it will get a used dress and doubtful Jill will wash it before sending it.

[lookeyloo]

11 hours ago, AstridM said:

not to mention huge amounts of self employment taxes. 

Assuming they report and file anything

[oliviabenson]

Living in Ohio must be cheaper than moving to Florida. I too don’t understand why Jill isn’t in Florida already.

[AstridM]

3 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

Assuming they report and file anything

🤬🤬🤬

[oliviabenson]

Singing tour gave me the giggles.

That’s not a well coordinated outfit ms Ashley. 

[AstridM]

Singing tour? Aren’t they basically on vacation again?

[libgirl2]

32 minutes ago, AstridM said:

Singing tour? Aren’t they basically on vacation again?

Their lives are one big vacation, at least Jill and David's are. The kids have to work for their (small) supper. 

[oliviabenson]

37 minutes ago, AstridM said:

Singing tour? Aren’t they basically on vacation again?

She’s going to Florida for who knows how long. My guess 3 weeks. She decided to call it a singing tour. It’s a grifting tour as usual. At least she is not going on the plexus trip. 

[ginger90]

Words by Kaylee:

 

This past Sunday was a truly special day. ❤️📖🙏
We dedicated our sweet, little Gideon to the Lord. 
Our prayer and hope is that in our home, Gideon will always have the example of us, his parents, keeping Christ at the center of all we do.

 Sadly, numerous young families today strive to be trendy, fit in, and chase after popularity. 
This kind of lifestyle deeply grieves Jonathan's and my heart, to the core of our soul. 😥 
Why would we want to conform to a lifestyle that merely reflects how the world lives? 
Why would we want popularity or fame over being a peculiar people and standing up for the things of truth and right? 
Why would we want the world to be proud of us or give us their applause? Why not seek after making the Lord proud of us? For He is the one who died on a tree to give us eternal life, in heaven and saved us from an eternity in HELL!!!!

We pray that in our home, we may always strive to please the Lord. 
That Gideon will see our home as one that desires to seek and please God, not the world. 
 
We love you Gideon. With all our heart and soul, we give you to the Lord. 💕

[Salacious Kitty]

Peculiar people? That was a strange turn of a phrase. 

[laurakaye]

Peculiar people indeed.

It bothers me that, according to Kaylee, she and Jonathan spend a lot of time grieving over everyone who doesn't live as they do.  But how does this jibe with the Bible verse that tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves?  There are people in my real life that I would also love to ask this question to, but I am tired.

I assume it means to love your neighbor if they look, think, and act like you.  Then it's cool.  

Poor Gideon.

 

Edited February 10 by laurakaye

[libgirl2]

3 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Peculiar people? That was a strange turn of a phrase. 

I have heard that phrase before in conjunction with a religious sect like the Amish maybe? 

[emma675]

14 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

Words by Kaylee:

 

This past Sunday was a truly special day. ❤️📖🙏
We dedicated our sweet, little Gideon to the Lord. 
Our prayer and hope is that in our home, Gideon will always have the example of us, his parents, keeping Christ at the center of all we do.

 Sadly, numerous young families today strive to be trendy, fit in, and chase after popularity. 
This kind of lifestyle deeply grieves Jonathan's and my heart, to the core of our soul. 😥 
Why would we want to conform to a lifestyle that merely reflects how the world lives? 
Why would we want popularity or fame over being a peculiar people and standing up for the things of truth and right? 
Why would we want the world to be proud of us or give us their applause? Why not seek after making the Lord proud of us? For He is the one who died on a tree to give us eternal life, in heaven and saved us from an eternity in HELL!!!!

We pray that in our home, we may always strive to please the Lord. 
That Gideon will see our home as one that desires to seek and please God, not the world. 
 
We love you Gideon. With all our heart and soul, we give you to the Lord. 💕

There really needs to be an eye roll reaction, lol. Take it down a notch, drama llama Kaylee. 

The irony of judging families who chase after popularity while she's posting this on social media for likes and comments is totally lost on her.

[Absolom]

Has Jill quit making her youtube videos of Make Your Life Count Minute?  The last one I saw was something like 136,  

[Natalie68]

On 2/7/2025 at 8:19 AM, oliviabenson said:

so where is Jill's desk at now? the empty pantry? every inch is cluttered so maybe in the upstairs attic? 

Bathroom

On 2/7/2025 at 1:11 PM, crazy8s said:

for a change of topic - Hilaria Spivey posted last week of Robbie seeming to graduate from some program and won the "skills award" out of 80 guys.

Officially a certified lineman for electric co maybe. He also got a CDL so he can drive a bucket truck or other large trucks.

He was surprised and his parents were in tears and so proud.

Also pics of him side hugging a girl.

So THAT is what the singer for REO Speedwagon is doing now! 😂

[merylinkid]

50 minutes ago, emma675 said:

There really needs to be an eye roll reaction, lol. Take it down a notch, drama llama Kaylee. 

The irony of judging families who chase after popularity while she's posting this on social media for likes and comments is totally lost on her.

Oh so much so.   If you really aren't looking for attention, keep it private.   

"do not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing"   Matthew 6:3

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Matthew 6: 5-6

Something tells me Jill completely skips over Matthew in her teachings rantings to her children.

[PradaKitty]

Died on a TREE??

[crazy8s]

17 minutes ago, PradaKitty said:

Died on a TREE??

I think that reference is pretty common actually. Nailed to a tree, died on a tree is something I have heard used lots of times by non fundie people and used in christian books and music.

 

[tarheel220]

5 minutes ago, crazy8s said:

I think that reference is pretty common actually. Nailed to a tree, died on a tree is something I have heard used lots of times by non fundie people and used in Christian books and music.

 

I've always taken issue with the whole "died on a tree" thing because growing up, we had a pastor who basically came in and said Christ didn't love everyone, only certain people and that he died on a tree.  You wouldn't have believe the lengths people in that church went to to keep him as a pastor, to the point that the church split and my parents left that church and went to the one that formed from the split.

Sorry, it was not a tree, but a cross. 

[crazy8s]

2 hours ago, tarheel220 said:

I've always taken issue with the whole "died on a tree" thing because growing up, we had a pastor who basically came in and said Christ didn't love everyone, only certain people and that he died on a tree.  You wouldn't have believe the lengths people in that church went to to keep him as a pastor, to the point that the church split and my parents left that church and went to the one that formed from the split.

Sorry, it was not a tree, but a cross. 

Oh I agree, just saying of all the things the rods spout off about, this is not just a rod thought or a fundie thought.

Edited February 10 by crazy8s

[Salacious Kitty]

2 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

I have heard that phrase before in conjunction with a religious sect like the Amish maybe? 

That sounds right, now that you mention it. Though I think I would reserve it for Scientologists. 😂

[BradandJanet]

4 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Singing tour gave me the giggles.

That’s not a well coordinated outfit ms Ashley. 

Sorry Miss Ashley. The look is a manly flak jacket over a grandma's blouse and a stretched-out knit skirt. You could do better at your local thrift shop for much less money.

[libgirl2]

13 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

That sounds right, now that you mention it. Though I think I would reserve it for Scientologists. 😂

I googled it. The saying is in the KJV and has been used by evangelicals. It has also been used by both the Amish and Quakers. 

[Jynnan tonnix]

4 hours ago, laurakaye said:

Peculiar people indeed.

It bothers me that, according to Kaylee, she and Jonathan spend a lot of time grieving over everyone who doesn't live as they do.  But how does this jibe with the Bible verse that tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves?  There are people in my real life that I would also love to ask this question to, but I am tired.

I assume it means to love your neighbor if they look, think, and act like you.  Then it's cool.  

Poor Gideon.

 

The way I understand it is that they grieve, "knowing"  that these people are going to spend eternity burning in hell, when if they only opened their hearts and accepted Jesus, they could spend eternity groveling and praising their Lord and savior (no offense to Christians, but the fundie version of heaven too often seems to come down to a scenario akin to that).

On a slightly different thought, did anyone else think that all the flowery descriptions of dedicating sweet little Gideon to the Lord sounded more like funereal language than anything else? It's such a a weird sort of ceremony to my mind...They don't baptize babies the way Catholics do, because that's just a heathen concept, and a person has to be able to make the conscious decision to accept Christ before they can be born again (never mind that so many of them claim that they had a full enough understanding for that at three years old), but you can "dedicate" a toddler to the lord, and that somehow ensures that he will go on to live a godly life? What's the actual purpose?

[oliviabenson]

Heidi looks cute! 

the cake

it was a cute video. of course Jill was the loudest. Tim probably brought the cake.

[PradaKitty]

She doesn’t look very pregnant…

This is a FAR cry from MY 21st birthday..,

[EmeraldGirl]

I’m still laughing about the fact that living like the rest of the world is the worst thing you could possibly do. I’m just minding my own business over here, not hurting anybody, as I search for a Kate Spade bag.
 

That’s the cake they get for a family of that size! Geez, at least pretend that you care if your kids get a treat or not.

[andromeda331]

3 hours ago, PradaKitty said:

She doesn’t look very pregnant…

This is a FAR cry from MY 21st birthday..,

Mine too. My parents' had a tradition of taking their kids to Vegas for their 21st birthday. It was fun. Gambling away. 

I love how Kaylee cries or whatever over how people conform when she's part a Christian church that conforms the most. Rules for everything. Plus a mother who trained and brainwashed her to do what Mama says and Kaylee has never done anything that wasn't Mama approved. 

[EmeraldGirl]

My 21st birthday was just the usual opening presents and cake, but that Vegas deal sounds a whole lot better! Have the Rods (ha, that auto corrected to “broads”) been to Vegas? What if Jill wins a trip there? Oh, I would pay to see that.

My mom got me a jade ring, and carried on about how diamonds were so out of fashion and that Jade is the new thing. Well, I opened the present from my boyfriend and it was a diamond necklace. Ha.

Edited February 11 by EmeraldGirl

[oliviabenson]

12 minutes ago, EmeraldGirl said:

My 21st birthday was just the usual opening presents and cake, but that Vegas deal sounds a whole lot better! Have the Rods (ha, that auto corrected to “broads”) been to Vegas? What if Jill wins a trip there? Oh, I would pay to see that.

My mom got me a jade ring, and carried on about how diamonds were so out of fashion and that Jade is the new thing. Well, I opened the present from my boyfriend and it was a diamond necklace. Ha.

Jill and Kaylee and Gideon went to a plexus thing in las Vegas!

[floridamom]

Just a note here...this is why Catholics have Confirmation at the age of discretion...the candidates confirm their baptismal promises made for them by their godparents as infants. Because, in ancient times, infants mostly did not survive, so to ensure being made a child of God and remove Original Sin, they were baptized as infants with godparents making their promises "for them". Confirmation has sponsors, who promise to help the candidate along with their spritual needs and counsel as they continue to grow, if needed. This is my understanding as it was explained to me when I was confirmed . On another note...Heide looks the best she has looked in that photo above. Good for her.

[Albanyguy]

11 hours ago, EmeraldGirl said:

That’s the cake they get for a family of that size! Geez, at least pretend that you care if your kids get a treat or not.

Especially bcause we know that Dave will "dip up" first and cut himself an enormous slice. Then Jill will go next and after the two of them are done, there will only be about 1/4 of that tiny cake left for the others. 

[laurakaye]

That cake looks like the size of a homemade loaf of bread.  To stretch it enough for everyone, it would've needed to be sliced into pieces thin enough to see through.  I want to believe that Tim threw an elbow or two when he saw that Dave was trying to dip up first, and that Heidi got the piece with the best frosting.

[Nysha]

56 minutes ago, laurakaye said:

I want to believe that Tim threw an elbow or two when he saw that Dave was trying to dip up first, and that Heidi got the piece with the best frosting.

That's probably why the candles are burnt down so low, Tim & Dave got into a shoving match over who would be in the front of the line. 🎂

[floridamom]

Heck, my husband and I buy those loaf sized cakes for just us two from Publix bakery...(when on sale). There seems to never be enough food for a family that size on display. Jill should be ashamed of herself IMO. Take these children to a good "all you can eat" buffet for dinner sometime.

[Salacious Kitty]

12 minutes ago, floridamom said:

Heck, my husband and I buy those loaf sized cakes for just us two from Publix bakery...(when on sale). There seems to never be enough food for a family that size on display. Jill should be ashamed of herself IMO. Take these children to a good "all you can eat" buffet for dinner sometime.

The adult kids ( including Kaylee and Jonathan but no Gideon) went to Burger King that same night. Maybe some of the younger kids were sick?  They pushed back Giddy's baby dedication back a week because he was sick. Maybe this party happened at the same time?

[EmeraldGirl]

I think it was Wendy’s! And yes, I noticed a few of the older kids, but nobody younger. I think Sam was missing too. Ridiculous that they couldn’t go along for some scraps of food.
 

Philip also wasn’t there, but he was in a picture with Tim with some caption of “Bro’s” or something. I saw him working in the printing shop with a cowboy hat on. He still has his little paunchy stomach, but I wonder for how long.

[ginger90]

From Timothy:

 

Hello everybody! I want to get on here and wish my wife the most amazing birthday ever! She is amazing and I love her with all my heart! We had fun at Red Lobster tonight. Unfortunately we forgot to get a picture there. 

Heidi Rodrigues hope you had the best day ever, you are an amazing wife and I’m sure you will be an amazing mom! Love youu so much! 😁❤️😍❣️😘😁

[libgirl2]

1 hour ago, ginger90 said:

From Timothy:

 

Hello everybody! I want to get on here and wish my wife the most amazing birthday ever! She is amazing and I love her with all my heart! We had fun at Red Lobster tonight. Unfortunately we forgot to get a picture there. 

Heidi Rodrigues hope you had the best day ever, you are an amazing wife and I’m sure you will be an amazing mom! Love youu so much! 😁❤️😍❣️😘😁

 

She is amazing! lol! Seriously, he does seem happy and so does she. And no mention of Jesus or a servant's heart or whatever they usually put on these posts. 

[BradandJanet]

If only Jill could get those matching black and green outfits from Tim and Heidi to sell at her Ivory Creamery boutique. His and Hers set for just $55 for both! Perfect for a young couple! Includes disposable bibs from Red Lobster! Smiles and modest white undershirts not included. 

[oliviabenson]

Tim forgot to take a picture in red lobster. While his precious mama would have taken 300 photos and 39 videos. The food would be cold before they can eat it lol.

[laurakaye]

And 30 of those 39 videos would have been Jill capturing her family members in various stages of chewing and talking normally until they realize they are being filmed yet AGAIN.

Edited February 12 by laurakaye

[ranchgirl]

On 2/10/2025 at 5:18 PM, Jynnan tonnix said:

The way I understand it is that they grieve, "knowing"  that these people are going to spend eternity burning in hell, when if they only opened their hearts and accepted Jesus, they could spend eternity groveling and praising their Lord and savior (no offense to Christians, but the fundie version of heaven too often seems to come down to a scenario akin to that).

On a slightly different thought, did anyone else think that all the flowery descriptions of dedicating sweet little Gideon to the Lord sounded more like funereal language than anything else? It's such a a weird sort of ceremony to my mind...They don't baptize babies the way Catholics do, because that's just a heathen concept, and a person has to be able to make the conscious decision to accept Christ before they can be born again (never mind that so many of them claim that they had a full enough understanding for that at three years old), but you can "dedicate" a toddler to the lord, and that somehow ensures that he will go on to live a godly life? What's the actual purpose?

Not just the fundie version but pretty much a Christian perspective.  As a Christian, I am offended by the word "groveling", but I look past it knowing that not everyone believes as I do.  But yes, it is written in the bible what happens to the non-believer and the believer at the time of God's judgment.  As a believer, I do think about those who don't believe and what their life ever after will be like.  But if you don't believe then you don't worry about those things.  

In my church, we can baptize or dedicate babies, whichever way the parent feels best.  I chose to baptize my babies at 3 months old.  To me, if was more of my husband and I taking the vow that we would raise our baby to know God and Jesus in front of our community and to ask for their support and help.  When my children turned 12/13, they took a confirmation class through the church, and all ended up reaffirming their baptism. 

My parents did not baptize me when I was a baby, wanting me to have the decision on that.  I took confirmation classes when I was 13 and chose to be baptized after the end of those classes.  

I am confused by the timeline, but did Kaylee and Jonathan wait until Jill and family had left on their trip to have Gideon dedicated?  I would have thought that would hurt Jill's feelings to not be there.  She wasn't able to make it all about her.  

ETA: Heidi does look really pretty and much in love with her husband.  It was nice of Tim to be thoughtful enough to buy a cake and celebrate her birthday with his family.  I didn't look too closely but is one of her candles an upside down 7? 

Edited February 12 by ranchgirl

[Chaos Theory]

On 2/9/2025 at 1:40 PM, Lady Edith said:

If Jill lived in the real world, she would understand that working a job means you have to actually be there. Jonathan needs to support his family.  He can 100% stay home and work while Kaylee goes to Florida with the kiddo for alllll the things. He is a grown man, capable of caring for himself. If they have to worry so much about him keeping his hands to himself, then he has bigger problems than having to open up a can of soup. 

Then the entire premise of Jill’s religion falls apart.    Complete vigilance is needed to keep your perfect man’s eyes on you and only you.

 

On 2/9/2025 at 5:20 PM, merylinkid said:

 

I hope Samuel is realizing that most families don't take off on vacation for weeks at a time on a regular basis and actually have to work and save for the things they have instead of just asking for handouts.  

Sam to coworker :  “My family is going on our third yearly two week vacation but boss won’t let me take three weeks off.  What do you do?”

Coworker “I wish I could go on so many vacations but I can’t afford it.

Sam “Ask your church for money.  If that doesn’t work find another church.”

coworker “uhhhhh”

Sam. “Also try asking the internet for money.   That’s what Mahmo does.”

Coworker:  “uhhh”

Sam “Your wife could sell plexus or clothes out of donation bins.  That’s not a real job so it’s ok.”

Coworker:  “uuuuuuhhhhhhh”

 

Edited February 12 by Chaos Theory

[laurakaye]

I have a feeling this scenario isn't too far from the truth.  I doubt the Rod kids truly realize that money doesn't typically flow freely from most people's churches.  And if Sam's boss won't let him off work to help warble at the next unsuspecting church along the way, Jill might proclaim that it's because that boss trying to stop Sam from spreading the Word, and is therefore evil.

However, Jill needs Sam's money so she and Dave don't have to go out in the awful heathen world and find a real job, so she's in quite the pickle.  Those Cream of Wheat clothes aren't going to buy themselves from Goodwill for her to mark up, for goodness' sake.  And yet, how can she market Sam if he has to work?  It makes my head hurt just thinking about it.  Poor Jill.

Edited February 12 by laurakaye