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

[libgirl2]

15 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

Words by Jill:

 

On Friday, April 11th, our BABY GIRL - Janessa Ruth Rodrigues -  turned 7 years old!  How is it possible that she is already that old?!  😳 If you have followed us since back when I was pregnant with her, you know that she was diagnosed with a cyst on her brain, brain damage, possible brain stroke, 🧠 and abnormal shaped brain with no corpus callosum.  David and I fretted, worried, and prayed....a LOT!   😬  

When she was born, specialists surrounded the bed.  They didn't know if she would know how to breathe on her own.  Surprisingly, she thrived once she was born.  We had an MRI done on her brain and the doctor's diagnosis was grim.  He didn't know if she would know how to talk or walk someday.  We took her to many follow up doctor's appointments and they would scratch their heads with wonder!  😲  She was doing AMAZING and thriving and functioning like any normal child her age!  

This, my friend, is the mercy of God AND the miracle of the plasticity of the brain.  It can learn to re-route signals to different parts of the brain.......especially when they are young.  It was more challenging to nurse her, but I NEVER gave up (like I had done with her 12 siblings ahead of her), and successfully nursed her for 3 years!  

She brings our hearts and home INCREDIBLE joy and we love her BEYOND description!   ❤️ 

Many selfish people in the world may have considered abortion upon receiving this grave news, but we trusted God and determined to love her no matter what!  🙏 😊❤️ Abortion is MURDER!  😡  God's strength is always sufficient and an in-utero diagnosis is not always accurate of what the outcome will be.  Trust God!  Trust His Plan!  Love His Creation!  Love and embrace each child He gives you!  💕 

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Psalms 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY,  Sweet Darling!  We love you more than you will ever know!  ❤️ Hugs, Mama (and your loving family)  😘

Lady, no one told you to abort your baby. The way you ignore her challenges and the health of your other children is criminal though. 

[merylinkid]

We get Jill's bad writing.  Sounds like she gave up on breastfeeding the other 12.

By keeping her a baby Jill can obscure any delays Janessa may have.  Or its all Jill's usual lies about how traumatic each birth was.  This time she needed something really traumatic dince no one cared she ALMOST DIED before.  So she decided the baby would be missing part of the brain.  Bonus points for being able to turn it into an anti abortion rant.

[Salacious Kitty]

Janessa doesn't have any delays. She's just being purposely DELAYED because Precious Mahmo wants a baby. Add to that, through no fault of her own, she's a spoiled brat. 

Edited April 14 by Salacious Kitty

[oliviabenson]

look how bored/dead eyed they all are at nessies birthday thing. Jeybusss... no one is having any fun. they all totally perform for Jill.

[oliviabenson]

I see 12 cupcakes for all the attendees. I don't think it was even enough for 1 cupcake per guest.

[Tigregirl]

In her photo dump there are a couple of pictures of Phillip.  He looks totally over Mahmo and her constant picture taking.  Looks like he is deliberately not turning to look at the camera.   I feel so bad for him as it seems like he wants/needs something outside of the cult but I bet Jill has a very tight leash on him now that he’s back.  If he does need mental health support he’s never going to get it while living in the barndo.  
 

And please Jill, can’t you see that your one daughter is constantly squinting?  Take her to the eye doctor for an exam and buy her a pair of glasses!  Quit buying crappy decor for your overfilled house and think of your children’s health for once.

[andromeda331]

On 4/14/2025 at 5:18 PM, Salacious Kitty said:

Janessa doesn't have any delays. She's just being purposely DELAYED because Precious Mahmo wants a baby. Add to that, through no fault of her own, she's a spoiled brat. 

She wanted a baby, she wanted the bragging rights of not aborting her baby with possible disabilities, and God rewarding her with her miracle baby. 

[Chaos Theory]

I don’t have kids so maybe I don’t know these things but nursing a kid for 3 years sounds like some Game of Thrones shit. 

Edited April 16 by Chaos Theory

[Notabug]

3 hours ago, Chaos Theory said:

I don’t have kids so maybe I don’t know these things but nursing a kid for 3 years sounds like some Game of Thrones shit. 

It does happen and is not that unusual. By the time they're a year or so old, most kids are eating solid foods and just need a bottle or nursing at nap time and bedtime to fall asleep.  They often use a sippy cup of water or milk other times.

[EmeraldGirl]

Notabug, what are your thoughts about the story of Janessa’s brain situation as described by Jill?

[Absolom]

4 hours ago, Chaos Theory said:

I don’t have kids so maybe I don’t know these things but nursing a kid for 3 years sounds like some Game of Thrones shit. 

Nursing at 3 is more mama than kid.  Many mothers will say the kid won't give it up, but it's usually because the mothers won't say no.  I "weaned" all the three year olds showing up at our nursery school very quickly.  If they're mature enough for nursery school, then they're mature enough to not need a bottle or breast.  There was usually one or maybe two a year.  The child was always fine, it was the mothers saying but he/she needs me or has to have a bottle.  Shockingly the kids were always fine with cups by day 2.  

[ginger90]

Words by Jill:

 

God is Good.  His mercies never fail.  For 27 years I have submitted to my husband and never taken a job outside of our home.  He (many times) worked 2 jobs to make sure I could stay at home to raise my babies.  To homeschool them.  To pour into them spiritually.  To love them.  To be an anchor to them as they grew up.  I am so thankful that my husband was so passionate about this issue!  Sometimes I would think of how I could maybe find a pocket of time in each day to scoot away and earn some extra money, but David would always tell me "no".  For which I was thankful.  My plate was already so full.  So, I looked for opportunities to earn money from HOME, And, God answered and blessed my submission.  I have found an opportunity that has succeeded my expectations!  I am BEYOND blessed!  😊🥰  

Speaking of that, I can’t stop thinking about it. 😭
In this industry there is another company—gone overnight.
No warning. No real explanation.
Just… gone.

Thousands of dreams.
Paychecks.
Women who gave their all—left with silence.

My heart is breaking for you! 
For the mamas who built something from nothing.
For the ones who trusted leaders that didn’t show up. For the families now asking, “What happens next?”

This isn’t just business—it’s personal.

And if that’s you right now?
Let me say what maybe no one has:
I am so sorry. 😔 
You didn’t deserve this.

If you need someone to talk to, pray with, or just sit in the hard—I’m here. No pressure. Just real conversation. 🫶🏻

I know how fear creeps in:
“What if that happens again?”
But not every company is the same.

Here’s why I chose the company I am with:

— Debt-free
— Privately owned
— Faith-led
--- Patriotic
--- Pro-Life
--- Will not use your $ towards WOKE agendas
— Committed to the people building this

Our CEO leads with integrity and heart.
And our team? We’re Jesus-loving men and women who lead with prayer, truth, and care.

No gimmicks. No hype. Just real people building something that lasts.

This is a place where it’s safe to dream again.
Safe to be you. And you are already so incredibly seen—by Him, and by us.

If you’ve been praying for a sign… maybe this is it.
Message me. I’ve got you.
You are not too late. God always has a plan!

🫶🏻 Your friend,  Jill 

P.S. The paycheck I just opened, will pay for many expenses!  I am so thankful!  God is faithful!  ❤️💖

[AstridM]

She looks utterly insane 😳.

[Salacious Kitty]

I wonder what company went under? Or is this a tool to sign up more suckers? 

eta "SUCCEEDED my expectations?" 😂

Edited April 16 by Salacious Kitty

[AstridM]

2 hours ago, Salacious Kitty said:

I wonder what company went under? Or is this a tool to sign up more suckers? 

eta "SUCCEEDED my expectations?" 😂

Right, Plexus didn’t go under, did it ? WTF is she even rambling on about?

Edited April 16 by AstridM

[ALittleShelfish]

56 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

I wonder what company went under? Or is this a tool to sign up more suckers? 

eta "SUCCEEDED my expectations?" 😂

Modere just went under.  Paparazzi just raised prices on their lead-filled junk jewelry from $5 to $8.  

I'm still surprised she hasn't moved to Bravenly - it's so Jesusy.  

There are early rumblings within Arbonne but I think they're going to switch to affiliate before closing up shop all together.  

I know too much about MLMs lol

[BradandJanet]

Jill is about as submissive as an angry camel. She just plays the meek housewife role when she wants something from somebody. 

[BetyBee]

I'm not buying that Dave is "passionate" about the issue of Jill not working outside the home. He seems to only be passionate about napping in his recliner and his next meal! I'm also not buying anything that Jill is selling! Funny how the Lord always seems to lead her exactly where she wanted to go anyway!

[EmeraldGirl]

Constantly showing glamour shots of herself is not very modest. Why bother to wear skirts when you are doing yourself up so much? What was that in the Bible about not wearing gold and flashy adornments? 

[Salacious Kitty]

I wonder how long she can make those waist length extensions last? They're looking pretty ratty 

Her middle name is Tacky. 

[mythoughtis]

It is entirely possible that David didn’t feel Jill working ‘ outside the home’ was feasible.  As they had each child, the cost of day care would raise and it would be hard for her to make enough to be worth it.  It’s not like she’s well educated and would get well paying jobs.  She’d want to quit jobs to go on  singing tours.  Plus, he’d have to do  more of the traditional home responsibilities. 
However I’m really annoyed by her implying that working from home doesn’t require any time or energy.    Whether you are working outside the home or at home, you are devoting a  block of time to tasks for that work.  I’m not saying working outside the home or at home is a bad thing- I did my entire adult life up till retirement. 

[oliviabenson]

25 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

I wonder how long she can make those waist length extensions last? They're looking pretty ratty 

Her middle name is Tacky. 

her middle name is BlessedMimi!

her eye makeup is SEVERELY too much. 

[Chaos Theory]

55 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

I'm not buying that Dave is "passionate" about the issue of Jill not working outside the home. He seems to only be passionate about napping in his recliner and his next meal! I'm also not buying anything that Jill is selling! Funny how the Lord always seems to lead her exactly where she wanted to go anyway!

The only thing  Dave is passionate about is free food and nap time.  

[oliviabenson]

David barely works and if Jill didn't hustle they would have no $. I'm fully convinced that Jill actually books all their grifting churches and organizes when they need to run their printing jobs. I just don't see David as someone who cares at all about anything. 

Their daughters were the one running all the household errands. Under Jill's supervision...

 

Jill is the main supervisor and the captain of their ship.

[Westiepeach]

The day Jill is submissive to Hunk! 🙄

[crazy8s]

some comments on Jill's fb post about her wonderful and husband approved money making company.

 

[merylinkid]

Dave worked 2 jobs.  Jill napping and eating are not jobs.

"My babies" was she miraculously inseminated?  Otherwise they are Dave's kuds too so she should say "our babies."

[zoomama]

i had also heard that monat, a hair car company had closed down unexpectedly.  not positive about that.

[Salacious Kitty]

4 hours ago, zoomama said:

i had also heard that monat, a hair car company had closed down unexpectedly.  not positive about that.

Not Monat. It was a company with a name close to it (Modere). Easy to misinterpret 

Edited April 17 by Salacious Kitty

[Gweilo]

14 hours ago, Chaos Theory said:

I don’t have kids so maybe I don’t know these things but nursing a kid for 3 years sounds like some Game of Thrones shit. 

I nursed all of mine until nearly 3 but I certainly wasn't whipping my boobs out on the train or something. It was in the morning, when they'd get into bed for a cuddle and a feed. Sometimes before bed, and occasionally if they were really upset (had a fall etc)

Unlike Jill, it wasn't to keep them babies, it was to share a special moment amongst all the chaos and big feelings of toddlerhood.

And then it would be a couple of days between feeds, then a couple of weeks, and then months, and then we were done. It was a lovely (and unexpected) period of extended breastfeeding.

[andromeda331]

Dave is the least passionate person I've ever seen. And if he "worked" as much as she claimed why is she hawking so many MLMs? She's so full of crap.

[lookeyloo]

3 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

Dave is the least passionate person I've ever seen. And if he "worked" as much as she claimed why is she hawking so many MLMs? She's so full of crap.

Because maybe what we see is not what it is like behind the scenes. Women aren't the ones in real control. Their culture is patriarchy. Maybe they are all afraid of Dave.  Which is why Jill looks manic and tries to keep everyone in line and praises Dave. Of course also maybe not 

[crazy8s]

Kaylee posts a video of her new prayer closet. Done in the same style as mama's decor. Small closet with 7 or 8 inspirational signs about prayer, 2 light sources with extension cords, small table with clutter, fake plant and candle. She also includes a close up over the table that shows the names, addresses and phone #s of members of her church. Including Jill and Dave's.🤦‍♀️🙄

[precious pupp]

Silly me, I thought one could pray anywhere, anytime, regardless of location.  

[BetyBee]

"Prayer Closet" always puts me in mind of the movie "Carrie". Does Kaylee go in there and repent about her "dirty pillows"? 😜

[BradandJanet]

I hope Kaylee doesn't light real candles in that house. It looks like a dry, old place that could be engulfed in flames in a minute. The barndo is bad enough, but at least it is has a metal construction and is one floor (except for the "guest suite"). 

Both places are filled with fuel courtesy of Hobby Lobby and various MLMs.

[ginger90]

I’m not including the pictures that are with the post. The post is enough on its own.

🤦‍♀️

[Chaos Theory]

Doing nothing all day but eating napping and in my case watching tv and playing video games is kinda living the dream.

Then again I don’t have a wife and a dozen kids that I am supposed to be headshipping.   I can be a useless slug and all I would be hurting  is myself. 
 

Then again I like money too much to actually live the dream.   Damn work ethic!

[MamaMax]

The thing that really frosts my cookies about Jill's "not working" and "homeschooling" is that she clearly considers these things purity tests of how Gahdly a mother someone is. Meanwhile, she has an army of domestic help (the girls) and probably spends more time away from her kids than a lot of working moms.  (On her trips, doing her MLM crap, etc etc). AND she claims to homeschool when she absolutely does NOT school her kids. She doesnt send them to school - but that is not the same thing!

She considers herself a SAHM, but she doesnt even really do what I would consider the basics of ALL mothering tasks (SAH or working): dressing, feeding, bathing, educating, loving on her kids. Most of these things (when/if they happen at all) seem to be primarily the task of the sister-moms. 

So, in conclusion: STFU Jill. Most moms (working or not), do more for their kids in a day than you do in a month. 

 

Edited April 17 by MamaMax

[emma675]

1 hour ago, ginger90 said:

I’m not including the pictures that are with the post. The post is enough on its own.

🤦‍♀️

"Babtist" church? 🤣 I guess a Baptist church wasn't good enough for Jill.

And do they ever attend their own church? I feel like they hit the road every Sunday looking for a new church to take advantage of.

[oliviabenson]

oh look just like mahmo ... the finger pointing.

[Notabug]

20 hours ago, ALittleShelfish said:

Modere just went under. 

I think Jill is referring to Modere which literally shut its doors and went out of business at a moment's notice a few days ago.  There are all sorts of lawsuits and scandals involved and it appears the company was basically insolvent and had been for some time.  Modere fired its top distributor recently; he says it was because he was owed $300,000 in commission and fees and they didn't want to/didn't have the funds to pay him.  This guy had something like 600 people in his downline.  He is suing Modere and they are suing him back claiming he was planning on striking out on his own with a new company and undermining their business.

This is all very common with the MLM's.  That Jill thinks everything has to be on the up and up with the folks that run the MLM's she's tangled up in because they are all Christians would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic.

[merylinkid]

21 minutes ago, emma675 said:

"Babtist" church? 🤣 I guess a Baptist church wasn't good enough for Jill.

And do they ever attend their own church? I feel like they hit the road every Sunday looking for a new church to take advantage of.

This fits with maybe the new home church isn't really working out.   Jill thought it would be another place she could move in and take over, bending everything to serve her and found out a larger established church not only wasn't going to play but was going to expect her to behave.   

Also that they have to travel more to find new churches because the old ones are moving on to other families with young children.   

The grift well is running dry for Jill.   

[Notabug]

On 4/16/2025 at 1:04 PM, EmeraldGirl said:

Notabug, what are your thoughts about the story of Janessa’s brain situation as described by Jill?

I remember we talked about it at the time.  Initially, Jill said that Janessa lacked a corpus callosum on a prenatal ultrasound.  The corpus callosum is a band of tissue connecting the right and left sides of the brain; allowing rapid and efficient cooperation between them.

Kids who lack a corpus callosum can have anything from significant developmental delays, cognitive deficits, blindness, deafness, seizures, lack of coordination to a virtually normal kid with nothing obviously wrong.  

Agenesis of the corpus callosum is also associated with genetic abnormalities which they knew Janessa didn't have early on.

After she was born, Jill said that Janessa had had a stroke while in the womb based on a CT or MRI that was done.  That can happen and, once again, there can be severe ongoing problems or a completely  recovery with a healthy kid

In all cases, every time, Jill stressed the worst case scenario and indicated that this was the only possible outcome; but that Janessa avoided those things due to Jill's devotion to prayer. She, of course, strongly implied that she was just so special and devout that she got a miracle. With the unsaid implication that people whose children had ongoing issues were just not as loved by Jesus as Jill was.

[all fall down]

2 hours ago, BradandJanet said:

I hope Kaylee doesn't light real candles in that house. It looks like a dry, old place that could be engulfed in flames in a minute. The barndo is bad enough, but at least it is has a metal construction and is one floor (except for the "guest suite"). 

Both places are filled with fuel courtesy of Hobby Lobby and various MLMs.

I think you mean the "upstairs attic" 🤣🤣

[laurakaye]

2 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

oh look just like mahmo ... the finger pointing.

Holy electrical cords, Batman.  Dave's work for sure.  With just the lightest, most delicate touch of Jill's superior interior decorating skillz. 🙄

 

Edited April 17 by laurakaye

[ALittleShelfish]

53 minutes ago, laurakaye said:

Holy electrical cords, Batman.  Dave's work for sure.  With just the lightest, most delicate touch of Jill's superior interior decorating skillz. 🙄

 

There's no way you said or typed the phrase "delicate touch of Jill's superior interior decorating skillz" with a straight face LOL

[Albanyguy]

4 hours ago, merylinkid said:

Also that they have to travel more to find new churches because the old ones are moving on to other families with young children.   

Other families who don't post endless photos of their multiple vacations and shopping sprees.

[crazy8s]

5 hours ago, Notabug said:

In all cases, every time, Jill stressed the worst case scenario and indicated that this was the only possible outcome; but that Janessa avoided those things due to Jill's devotion to prayer. She, of course, strongly implied that she was just so special and devout that she got a miracle. With the unsaid implication that people whose children had ongoing issues were just not as loved by Jesus as Jill was.

Yes, she all but called it a miracle. why Janessa wasn't b I left out the "worldly, radical, leftist people would have aborted crap before and after this part. Jill really believed, or wanted people to believe the story of doctors being eager to find something wrong.

March 2019

"Extensive sonogram testing showed major concerns on the development of Janessa's brain. Cysts, stroke (leaving a portion of her brain damaged) and no corpus callosum were the grave diagnosis once she was born.

We cried, not knowing what the future held. Would she ever walk, talk or live a normal life?Through it all though, we had peace and an overwhelming love swept over the chords of our hearts that God had placed this precious baby girl (our 13th child) in our care for a reason.

We prayed over her every night since she was born and trusted. Trusted a sovereign God. Trusted that HE would give the strength no matter what. Still trusting.

To this day, Janessa has shown NO signs of being behind developmentally. She tries to talk, walk and is RIGHT on target. The doctors scratch their heads...eager (it seems) to find SOMETHING she is lacking in; behind in; slow in.

They find...NOTHING.

What a great God we serve.

Now we understand and appreciate that not all situations have such happy and successful endings. We are grateful to a God that still works miracles."

 

[oliviabenson]

Yay more free stuff for Jill.