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

[ginger90]

Video:

 

 

 

[Girl in a Cardigan]

Also, which one of you is behind this account? I haven't seen the posts yet, but the bio is RUTHLESS! https://www.instagram.com/rodriguesfamilyservingcheesus/

[awaken]

The Kellers took a family of 15 (minus tim) out to eat?  That’s quite an expense!  

[Lady Edith]

44 minutes ago, awaken said:

The Kellers took a family of 15 (minus tim) out to eat?  That’s quite an expense!  

Even at Bob Evans. My boyfriend and I ate there last week. It was $30 for just the two of us (and we didn’t eat all that much).  

[Temperance]

Did we talk about David Waller's and Priscilla's trip to Africa? He did a blog post about it. 

So they left Florida and flew to Zambia, where John Shrader lives with his wife Esther Keller Shrader. John and Esther are missionairies there despite the fact Zambia is a very Christian country.  This is quote is of what happened as they were leaving the airport. 

"Ministry is not a job that you do, but a life of giving, caring, loving and serving. There are no posted hours of operation, but each opportunity that the Lord brings across our path. We are so grateful for John’s alertness and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit in knowing when to take time to minister to those he comes in contact with. These luggage porters were grateful for the books of John and Romans that he gave each of them and for the time John took to explain the study resources that went with it."

The luggage porters were doing their jobs at the time. ☹️

If you remember, Jill R did a post of the food that was gross to her. The picture was sent to Jill R by Nathan, who was on the trip. 

Here's what David W. said about the food on trip:

"On Sunday, we had a special baptismal service followed by dinner on the grounds. Priscilla helped the ladies of the church and learned how they make their local staple–Nshima. It is basically a very thick cornmeal porridge."

(next is the Jill R photo meal)

"In addition to the local staple, they had some various other dishes that we ate. On the upper right is beans. Following clockwise, the next is some cabbage followed by fried caterpillars and finally some fried minnows. The last two are local favorites.

Here is a bag of the dried caterpillars before they were fried. They actually have become a favorite of Priscilla’s sister Esther."

And finally

"We were very pleased with how brave our children were to try new things. They did quite well with the food overall. For the most part, we ate American foods, but when we were with the Zambians, we ate their foods."

Then there's more about the "ministry" and how much they enjoyed themselves. 

[Lady Edith]

16 minutes ago, Temperance said:

Did we talk about David Waller's and Priscilla's trip to Africa? He did a blog post about it. 

So they left Florida and flew to Zambia, where John Shrader lives with his wife Esther Keller Shrader. John and Esther are missionairies there despite the fact Zambia is a very Christian country.  This is quote is of what happened as they were leaving the airport. 

"Ministry is not a job that you do, but a life of giving, caring, loving and serving. There are no posted hours of operation, but each opportunity that the Lord brings across our path. We are so grateful for John’s alertness and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit in knowing when to take time to minister to those he comes in contact with. These luggage porters were grateful for the books of John and Romans that he gave each of them and for the time John took to explain the study resources that went with it."

The luggage porters were doing their jobs at the time. ☹️

If you remember, Jill R did a post of the food that was gross to her. The picture was sent to Jill R by Nathan, who was on the trip. 

Here's what David W. said about the food on trip:

"On Sunday, we had a special baptismal service followed by dinner on the grounds. Priscilla helped the ladies of the church and learned how they make their local staple–Nshima. It is basically a very thick cornmeal porridge."

(next is the Jill R photo meal)

"In addition to the local staple, they had some various other dishes that we ate. On the upper right is beans. Following clockwise, the next is some cabbage followed by fried caterpillars and finally some fried minnows. The last two are local favorites.

Here is a bag of the dried caterpillars before they were fried. They actually have become a favorite of Priscilla’s sister Esther."

And finally

"We were very pleased with how brave our children were to try new things. They did quite well with the food overall. For the most part, we ate American foods, but when we were with the Zambians, we ate their foods."

Then there's more about the "ministry" and how much they enjoyed themselves. 

You don’t go in a ministry trip to enjoy yourself and partake of local customs. That’s religious tourism. Which is what these folks did. A missioncation.  Imho a mission trip is what my friend’s family does with their church. Go to a place in need of help and HELP.  Build schools. Replace roofs on homes. Make a difference.  These yahoos do nothing but hand out booklets and have fun in the name of Jesus. If that’s what they are after, just freaking admit it. At least that would be less like lying. 
 

Seriously, these people wouldn’t know a “servant’s heart” if it bit them in the butt.

Edited February 12, 2020 by Lady Edith
I came back to bitch more. 😂

[Zella]

18 minutes ago, Lady Edith said:

You don’t go in a ministry trip to enjoy yourself and partake of local customs. That’s religious tourism. Which is what these folks did. A missioncation.  Imho a mission trip is what my friend’s family does with their church. Go to a place in need of help and HELP.  Build schools. Replace roofs on homes. Make a difference.  These yahoos do nothing but hand out booklets and have fun in the name of Jesus. If that’s what they are after, just freaking admit it. At least that would be less like lying. 
 

Seriously, these people wouldn’t know a “servant’s heart” if it bit them in the butt.

I've encountered a variation of this with people I know who did teaching overseas for Christian organizations. And in their defense, they were ESL qualified, and I have no doubt they did a good job teaching English to their students. But it always seemed to me that the primary motivation was that they wanted to travel, and this seemed like a more socially acceptable way (in the eyes of their home churches and religious families and maybe even to themselves) to spend a year or two after college than just traveling to the same countries or even, you know, teaching ESL in the US. And it's not even like they were truly earning a salary since they were having to raise money for sponsors. 

Still, I always felt the same as you in that I felt like it was probably just better to be honest about what motivated them. Most of them would mumble some spiel about winning souls for Jesus, but they were in communist countries where they couldn't proselytize openly anyway, so that never really held any water for me. 

What I find bizarre about people like the Duggars and their ilk is they don't even seem interested in other cultures or the places they visit on their "mission trips"! The people I knew who taught overseas for Christian organizations did at least seem genuinely curious about experiencing another culture. 

[mynextmistake]

3 hours ago, Lady Edith said:

You don’t go in a ministry trip to enjoy yourself and partake of local customs. That’s religious tourism. Which is what these folks did. A missioncation.  Imho a mission trip is what my friend’s family does with their church. Go to a place in need of help and HELP.  Build schools. Replace roofs on homes. Make a difference.  These yahoos do nothing but hand out booklets and have fun in the name of Jesus. If that’s what they are after, just freaking admit it. At least that would be less like lying. 
 

Seriously, these people wouldn’t know a “servant’s heart” if it bit them in the butt.

There are also a lot of problems with the type of short-term “build some houses, paint the church, dig a well” mission trips you mention, though. Often the projects are chosen by the missionaries rather than by local residents who are better equipped to set priorities for their community, so the work performed isn’t always work that the community really needed. Missionaries are sent over without any actual training in plumbing or bricklaying or whatever, so the work that they perform sometimes has to be redone after they leave at additional expense to the community. These trips are inefficient because money spent on logistics for the missionaries (travel, food, lodging) on a mission trip could easily pay local laborers to do exactly the same projects as the missionaries would be doing with money left over for other things the community needs. 

I think there is a legitimate need for some kinds of mission work — missionaries with advanced training in medicine, dentistry, engineering, etc. can go on a short trip to an area and make a huge difference by providing services that aren’t always available locally. But the rest of these trips seem primarily like self-righteous vacations even if they do involve some degree of work. I’m sure some of the people who go truly believe that they’re helping and maybe sometimes they are. But a lot of the time these trips honestly come across as an opportunity for someone to see a new country and stroke their egos and take selfies and feel important, like the Bates and Duggars did in the Bahamas.

4 hours ago, Girl in a Cardigan said:

That is the most aggressive hand holding I've ever seen!

It looks like one of them is about to declare a thumb war.

[Normades]

I agree that these trips are missioncations and ego boosters, but I will give David the tiniest bit of credit for not being a jerk about the local food.  At least he seems to have some manners.  Hopefully someone can teach Nurie to be gracious instead of posting pictures and saying mean things about the food. 

[queenanne]

On 2/5/2020 at 10:55 PM, Heathen said:

Thanks, all who beat me to it. Lydia of Purple and the homely-ass daughters, and Emily and Dna, were my first nutcase fundies. "Sixth daughter is 19 and always ready." FOR WHAT, pray tell?! 

With a quip?

With a mending needle?

With a - well, you get the picture.  🤮

 

[whydoiwatch]

I have lost my mind and am in need of help. I had a dream about the Rods. David gave Jill a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day and she was jumping up and down and squealing. There was a young man at their barn house, someone that Kaylee was courting, and he was playing the piano. We all heard a loud thud and Kaylee's true love had fallen off the piano bench was only wearing underwear and had a tourniquet on with a needle sticking out of his arm. Next, Jill and Kaylee were screaming and I left.

[BradandJanet]

I wonder how much all this "AMAZING hospitality" cost the TRULY "salt of the earth" Kellers this time. If I saw this hoard of moochers coming, I'd turn off the lights and hide in a closet. 

But nothing says Florida vacation like a ground-sweeping heavy denim skirt. 

[galaxychaser]

Parents Keller must be desperate to marry off Nathan. His younger brother might marry Kaylee lol.

[farmgal4]

13 hours ago, Girl in a Cardigan said:

That is the most aggressive hand holding I've ever seen!

Hand sex, like Josh and Anna used to have pre-wedding. 🤢

[farmgal4]

1 hour ago, whydoiwatch said:

I have lost my mind and am in need of help. I had a dream about the Rods. David gave Jill a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day and she was jumping up and down and squealing. There was a young man at their barn house, someone that Kaylee was courting, and he was playing the piano. We all heard a loud thud and Kaylee's true love had fallen off the piano bench was only wearing underwear and had a tourniquet on with a needle sticking out of his arm. Next, Jill and Kaylee were screaming and I left.

Sounds horrid.  I would suggest laying off this thread for a few days. 😂😉

[MyPeopleAreNordic]

On 2/12/2020 at 9:43 AM, galaxychaser said:

Parents Keller must be desperate to marry off Nathan. His younger brother might marry Kaylee lol.

Is Nathan's younger brother the nice-looking (by Fundie standards) young man in the striped shirt and blue shoes who is sitting with another boy by the door (in the video of the Rods & Kellers singing/fellowshipping)?  

If so, I like him for Kaylee (assuming he isn't a sociopath or anything). (And Kaylee) and Not Nathan would make a nice looking Fundie couple.

Edited February 17, 2020 by MyPeopleAreNordic

[Nysha]

Have David and Jill ever been sweet, loving, and gracious by taking another family out to dinner? 

[crazy8s]

things I wonder about

if the family devotion time is the best part of visiting the Kellers, why is Jill filming and the girls are mugging for the camera and giggling over I guess Janeesa?

Why is Jill not participating in devotions?

Is the best part she gets to film her family shown with the Kellers?

 

[galaxychaser]

10 minutes ago, Nysha said:

Have David and Jill ever been sweet, loving, and gracious by taking another family out to dinner? 

No. They are full on grifters not gifters.

[galaxychaser]

19 minutes ago, crazy8s said:

things I wonder about

if the family devotion time is the best part of visiting the Kellers, why is Jill filming and the girls are mugging for the camera and giggling over I guess Janeesa?

Why is Jill not participating in devotions?

Is the best part she gets to film her family shown with the Kellers?

 

Jill is devoted to grifting and showing off her “happy” family. Especially her handsome plumber husband David! And selling plexus!
 

Her kids must be so bored and hungry.

[emma675]

33 minutes ago, Nysha said:

Have David and Jill ever been sweet, loving, and gracious by taking another family out to dinner? 

I've just started noticing (I think I'm blinded by the horrible spelling and hair/makeup in Jill's posts so I'm slower than normal) Jill's posts are 99% about what other people, families, churches, etc. have done for them. There is rarely any reciprocation. And no, I do not count Jill "saving" random people who are unfortunate enough to cross her path. They are incredibly selfish people.

[galaxychaser]

And yet Rods think they are godly and perfect Christians. 

[Nysha]

18 minutes ago, galaxychaser said:

And yet Rods think they are godly and perfect Christians. 

Yes, they do. So do most of the Duggars and other Gothardites, the people who go on missioncations and hand-out tracts or build a new missionary room. They also think they're protecting their children by limiting their exposure to the world. 

 

[Temperance]

This is the newest post from the Maxwell blog. I'm glad the surgery is scheduled.

“And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in Thee.” Psalm 39:7

This journey has so often been one of waiting. And waiting. And more waiting. But as I read the above verse recently, I was reminded that our hope is not in tests, treatments, medical staff, surgeons, pathology reports, etc. Our hope is in the Lord!

That said, we know that God often uses medical teams and are thankful to now have a surgery date set to remove my tumor on February 18th. We are going out of state to a surgeon who specializes in laser surgery. The children will all stay here in the care of Grandpa, Grandma, and the aunties to whom we are very thankful; handing over the care of six children ages seven and under is no small request, but I know it will be a special time for them!

About a week or so after surgery we should have a complete pathology report.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement, blog comments, etc. I wish I could respond to each of you individually but since time is limited—please know we have read and been encouraged by each one! I know you’ve been praying for us to have peaceful hearts and I can honestly say I have felt the Lord’s peace through this season of change and uncertainty. I still have some times of feeling emotional, yes, but they’re not times of despair or hopelessness. God is faithful; He has shown Himself faithful and He will not change

Looking unto Jesus,
Anna Marie

[Jynnan tonnix]

1 hour ago, Nysha said:

Yes, they do. So do most of the Duggars and other Gothardites, the people who go on missioncations and hand-out tracts or build a new missionary room. They also think they're protecting their children by limiting their exposure to the world. 

 

They truly do believe that their god is SEVERELY (ha!) grieved and wounded by people who do not devote their every waking moment to making sure they are never swayed by the ways of the world, but rather devote their lives to mollifying him. And because they also cling like leeches to the idea that he suffered the ultimate sacrifice for love of them, the idea of hurting him more is drummed into them as the ultimate act of cruelty and ingratitude.  Of course, the things that actually please or displease him are entirely based on their own interpretations, and, all too often, their own preferences.

But, yeah, they really do see protecting their children from ever seeing or - heaven forbid, experiencing - things which may tempt them away from that blinkered existence as an act of kindness....It's tragic, really.

Edited February 12, 2020 by Jynnan tonnix

[satrunrose]

1 hour ago, galaxychaser said:

And yet Rods think they are godly and perfect Christians. 

I've seen some (Catholic) very conservative non-birth control types with more kids than money argue that by having babies they can't afford they are giving people the opportunity to be charitable as God intended. I wish I was kidding. 

[galaxygirl76]

I'm grateful that Anna Marie seem to be getting actual medical care and that the family is supportive. 

[tabloidlover]

17 hours ago, crazy8s said:

things I wonder about

if the family devotion time is the best part of visiting the Kellers, why is Jill filming and the girls are mugging for the camera and giggling over I guess Janeesa?

Why is Jill not participating in devotions?

Is the best part she gets to film her family shown with the Kellers?

 

Yes 

[doodlebug]

On 2/10/2020 at 1:40 PM, Temperance said:

Something is rotten in the state of Maxhell.

Sarah put a random life today on the blog. The opening paragraphs contained this gem:

"We shared with you all the news that Anna Marie likely has cancer. How are we dealing with it? We’re grateful we know Who holds all things in His hands. Yes, while what Anna Marie is facing is possibly very serious, none of us are guaranteed another day. I could be in a car accident tomorrow and ushered into the presence of Jesus. We are very prayerful for Anna Marie and being as supportive as we can with their needs while all the time looking to the Lord for what His will is."

I don't know what to make of this. I don't why they don't know whether it's cancer or not. I don't why there are so many delays to scheduling treatment and coming up with a plan.  I shared Saturday that Anna Marie had asked for prayers that her meeting with the surgeon would result in scheduling surgery. They have yet to say it's cancer, even though the first post a month ago said the surgeon was sure, but just waiting on pathology. Did the pathology results get lost in the mail? Only God knows. 

It is possible that the initial sample was obtained with a needle biopsy since she was still pregnant at the time.  That provides a very small amount of tissue and that it showed necrosis(dead tissue) or inflammation, but there weren’t enough cancer cells present to make that diagnosis.  That would mean a bigger piece of tissue was needed, probably with a formal biopsy.  That would maybe explain seeing a different surgeon if the doc who did the needle biopsy was a radiologist and not a breast surgeon.

My concern is that they have Samaritan’s Purse and Stevehovah is bargain hunting, trying to negotiate a discount before allowing her to be treated and that’s why they don’t know for sure.  If you know anything about Steve; he is exactly that cold-hearted and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why there’s been a delay.

[Absolom]

They have posted that Anna Marie will be treated out of state with a laser option rather than lumpectomy.   It seems that finding that option and making those arrangements is at least some of the delay.

[Fostersmom]

23 hours ago, Nysha said:

Have David and Jill ever been sweet, loving, and gracious by taking another family out to dinner? 

Yeah right, they don't even pay for dinner with her sister and her family and I don't think they have anywhere as near as many kids as the Keller's do. 

[doodlebug]

7 hours ago, Absolom said:

They have posted that Anna Marie will be treated out of state with a laser option rather than lumpectomy.   It seems that finding that option and making those arrangements is at least some of the delay.

The laser would be used to perform the surgery same as a scalpel.  There is NO DIFFERENCE whatsoever In what sort  of surgery would be needed in this case; unless, of course, the laser surgeon is a quack and performing some sort of ‘alternative’ surgery with no research or data to back his/her methods.  A laser is a fancy scalpel and there are only a handful of surgeries in which it would be advantageous, none of them breast cancer surgery.

This news makes me very afraid for Ann Marie; that, with the usual fundie ignorance and distrust of actual science, they’ve decided to follow their own path.  I won’t be surprised if we hear that, because she had laser surgery instead of the old fashioned kind, she has been cured and won’t need radiation or chemo that would’ve been recommended otherwise.  Or that her amazing laser specialist agrees with them that radiation and chemo are poisons that kill more people than cancer so she will be undergoing homeopathic treatments with herbs, coffee enemas and peach pits.

Pray that I am wrong but don’t be surprised if I’m not.  

I have training and certification in lasers in surgery, BTW, and have used them on many occasions when indicated.

[ginger90]

8 pictures:

 

 

 

[Sew Sumi]

There's a video of their appearance and Shrek's sermon somewhere. It's unsurprisingly awful.

[louannems]

5 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

There's a video of their appearance and Shrek's sermon somewhere. It's unsurprisingly awful.

So is the music!

The Not Nurie in the pale aqua dress seems to be wearing a Mennonite style dress.  Hand-me-downs maybe?

Edited February 13, 2020 by louannems

[drafan]

On 2/11/2020 at 9:46 PM, Girl in a Cardigan said:

That is the most aggressive hand holding I've ever seen!

That's the most aggressive amount of denim I've ever seen in one garment.

I wonder if they all went on the famous "Glass Bottom Boat" at that park? The fish and gators would bubble up "NIKE"!

Does Denim for Days know that St. Augustine is a Catholic saint? Is that why that T-shirt can't touch her skin?

[CalicoKitty]

I did not know that JillR plays the banjo.  I'm trying to decide what flute, violin, and banjo would sound like together.  That is not a combination that one would hear every day.

[wilsie]

14 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

I did not know that JillR plays the banjo.  I'm trying to decide what flute, violin, and banjo would sound like together.  That is not a combination that one would hear every day.

Thankfully😊

[Temperance]

2 hours ago, doodlebug said:

The laser would be used to perform the surgery same as a scalpel.  There is NO DIFFERENCE whatsoever In what sort  of surgery would be needed in this case; unless, of course, the laser surgeon is a quack and performing some sort of ‘alternative’ surgery with no research or data to back his/her methods.  A laser is a fancy scalpel and there are only a handful of surgeries in which it would be advantageous, none of them breast cancer surgery.

This news makes me very afraid for Ann Marie; that, with the usual fundie ignorance and distrust of actual science, they’ve decided to follow their own path.  I won’t be surprised if we hear that, because she had laser surgery instead of the old fashioned kind, she has been cured and won’t need radiation or chemo that would’ve been recommended otherwise.  Or that her amazing laser specialist agrees with them that radiation and chemo are poisons that kill more people than cancer so she will be undergoing homeopathic treatments with herbs, coffee enemas and peach pits.

Pray that I am wrong but don’t be surprised if I’m not.  

I have training and certification in lasers in surgery, BTW, and have used them on many occasions when indicated.

Are you familiar with the Novilase Breast Therapy Laser Ablation Surgery Alternative? Apparently it seems legit. It's not something I had ever heard of before. I have no idea if Anna Marie is involved with this particular group or not. She could be going to a quack. I scanned the website. The Novilase people do not say laser treatment is in lieu of radiation or chemotherapy. Nor are they against chemo and radiation.

Chris works for his brother's (Joe) very successful IT company.  They may be okay money wise. I get the sense she is hoping to skip radiation or chemo, but it's too soon to know what they'll do next.

Anna Marie seems extremely fundie to me, and I think she's as resistant to change as Steve. I could see her wanting to forgo chemo or radiation without anyone else advising her to. 

[doodlebug]

3 hours ago, Temperance said:

Are you familiar with the Novilase Breast Therapy Laser Ablation Surgery Alternative? Apparently it seems legit. It's not something I had ever heard of before. I have no idea if Anna Marie is involved with this particular group or not. She could be going to a quack. I scanned the website. The Novilase people do not say laser treatment is in lieu of radiation or chemotherapy. Nor are they against chemo and radiation.

Chris works for his brother's (Joe) very successful IT company.  They may be okay money wise. I get the sense she is hoping to skip radiation or chemo, but it's too soon to know what they'll do next.

Anna Marie seems extremely fundie to me, and I think she's as resistant to change as Steve. I could see her wanting to forgo chemo or radiation without anyone else advising her to. 

Novilase which uses the laser to destroy a mass with heat is a  fairly new therapy with minimal data behind it to say that it works as well as conventional therapies.  There is definitely no proof it  is better.

The main supposed advantage of the laser is that it can treat very small breast cancers under local anesthetic using a couple of laser probes inserted into the breast as opposed to a lumpectomy which requires a bigger incision and more anesthesia.The website days that the breast is less likely to have the bumps and divots that can be seen after lumpectomy and it seems it’s main advantage is that the breast may look better after laser than after lumpectomy.

At this point, it appears that there are clinical trials being conducted on women with small cancers that haven’t spread but there is very little data on long term outcomes in these women.

If I was a young mother, I wouldn’t be willing to risk it, but that’s me.

[Heathen]

9 hours ago, doodlebug said:

Novilase which uses the laser to destroy a mass with heat is a  fairly new therapy with minimal data behind it to say that it works as well as conventional therapies.  There is definitely no proof it  is better.

The main supposed advantage of the laser is that it can treat very small breast cancers under local anesthetic using a couple of laser probes inserted into the breast as opposed to a lumpectomy which requires a bigger incision and more anesthesia.The website days that the breast is less likely to have the bumps and divots that can be seen after lumpectomy and it seems it’s main advantage is that the breast may look better after laser than after lumpectomy.

At this point, it appears that there are clinical trials being conducted on women with small cancers that haven’t spread but there is very little data on long term outcomes in these women.

If I was a young mother, I wouldn’t be willing to risk it, but that’s me.

I wonder if they chose laser surgery to preserve her breastfeeding capability. 

I have a bad feeling that having cancer will not end well for Anna Marie or her children. 

[Barb23]

18 minutes ago, Heathen said:

I wonder if they chose laser surgery to preserve her breastfeeding capability. 

 

I thought of that too.

[DkNNy79]

I like the color of the girl's dresses.   

[Oldernowiser]

18 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

I did not know that JillR plays the banjo.  I'm trying to decide what flute, violin, and banjo would sound like together.  That is not a combination that one would hear every day.

We have a distant banjo-playing relative who spent several years touring in folk circles with a very talented cello player. As someone who fake-smiled through several lengthy and unprompted performances when they came to visit, I can tell you emphatically that there is no song with a banjo and a cello in it that wouldn’t sound much, much better without the banjo.

I am kinda surprised more of the fundie grifters don’t play the banjo...you’d think it would be right in their target audience’s sweet spot.

[Temperance]

Happy Valentines Day! And now a too many words from Allison Bontrager! Allison has a blog called From Allison. She has spent all week coaching single women on what to do during Valentines week. 

On Monday we got a post about what she learned from her older single friends, Lindsay and Priscilla. Lindsay taught her that the value of being attentive to small tasks (value of faithfulness in the small things, the greatness of servanthood (to other people like Jesus, others, yourself) and the importance of family, no matter your age. From Priscilla, Allison learned the adventure of singleness,  the blessedness of true contentment, and the value of hard work. 

On Tuesday, Allison told us her plans for Valentines day. They include celebrating with her young siblings (who are single?), sending cards to her grandparents, making brownies for her family and "emailing a “Starbucks date” (gift card + note via email) to some random couples whose marriages have been an inspiration to me".  The main point is " You don’t have to wait till you have a Significant Other to celebrate Valentines Day! Gals, you could plan a fancy evening out with some girlfriends or siblings! I have friends who do a big Valentines Day party for a group of friends (guys + girls) every year. You could plan a candlelight dinner for your family!" etc.

On Wednesday, Allison did Q&A about whether to pray about a guy.  It's more complicated than you think. God created marriage so he wants you to get married. It's good to want to get married. However praying too much about one guy could lead to an infatuation. Don't give away pieces of your heart. Don't get infatuated with someone else's future husband (not necesarily meaning the guy is engaged, but also meaning God may want him to marry someone else who he hasn't met yet).

On Thursday, Allison wrote about whether true love still exists. It does, despite the fact she has  "become frustrated by the mediocrity and sometimes the downright pathetic-ness of so many of the marriages around me."  She then has a list of things true love isn't. Most of her list is conventional, but this gem: A guy who texts you more faithfully than he prays for you.

So then we get true love which comes from God. "True love is discreet, selfless, patient, and gracious." Discreet is interesting as parents and married siblings took pictures of everybody kissing their spouse at once! True love also involves honesty, devotion and no wandering eyes. She then gives a long list of things that show true love to her. From "the boyfriend who proves his commitment before he declares his love"  to "a husband who holds his wife’s hand while she throws up from morning sickness" to "a husband who does a household chore for his wife just to bless her" , it's a long list that mostly focuses on marriage and pregnancy.  It reminds of Jill Dillard, when she first got married.

Anyway those are the highlights. If you want to know more, you can see her blog. 

[farmgal4]

19 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

There's a video of their appearance and Shrek's sermon somewhere. It's unsurprisingly awful.

It’s on the church’s FB page.

[emma675]

Good lord, how old is Allison Bontrager? That whole thing reeks of either the desperation of an "older" fundie woman who doesn't have a man or a 13 year old girl who is all caught up in the "magic" of Valentine's Day. I can't decide which.

[Temperance]

8 minutes ago, emma675 said:

Good lord, how old is Allison Bontrager? That whole thing reeks of either the desperation of an "older" fundie woman who doesn't have a man or a 13 year old girl who is all caught up in the "magic" of Valentine's Day. I can't decide which.

She's 25 now. She'll be 26 in May. 

[Chicklet]

I didn't even remember that it was Valentine's Day. My husband must be so upset with me..oh wait, he didn't remember either and we aren't on the road to divorce.

[galaxychaser]

Guess that’s why the Rods go on dates with parents and siblings.