Back in 2009, Johnna spent a day at the Duggars' house for home church and lunch....
Seven years ago, I was living in Missouri and traveling a lot. I had seen some of the Duggars' show and had just read their first book. In the book they mentioned having home church and pot faith each Sunday and stated that anyone was welcome. I had a trip planned and was planning to spend a Saturday night in Fayetteville, so I thought I would find out if in fact just anyone was welcome.
I sent an email to the address listed in the book and quickly received a reply from Jim Bob. He gave me his phone number and told me when I got to town on Saturday to give him a call and he would give me directions to their home. We decided to go ahead and stay in Springdale, and I did as Jim Bob had asked and called when we got there.
He gave me directions and said he looked forward to having my family join the next morning. On Sunday morning, we stopped and bought fruit and vegetable trays to take for the lunch. At that time there was no gate/fence around the property. We drove in. We rang the bell at the side door, and Michelle greeted us with a smile, invited us in, and talked with us as if we were old friends.
Jordan was in a bouncy seat on the bar at the pretty kitchen. Mrs. Query was sweeping the floor, and Jennifer was finishing up her breakfast. We made ourselves at home as the family continued to get ready and other guests began to arrive. A young man took prayer requests and praise reports.
Josh led the singing, and a family friend who also was Grandpa Duggar's Doctor during his last days brought the message.
Afterwards we went through the buffet line that the older girls had set up, and we ate. My daughter was the same age as Johannah, so she took up with her. We stayed several hours and fellowshipped with everyone.
Anna was in the early days of her first pregnancy and was having sickness. They had not shared the news with the public at that point. I visited with her and Josh a bit. Everyone just acted as if we belonged there. I never wanted to be a fan. I wanted to be a friend, so I did not ask for pictures. It just didn't seem appropriate.
Not long after, things got really big for them, and home church was no longer at their home. They didn't answer many emails, phone numbers were changed, fence and gates were put up. When they stopped being able to be just an average family, I quit watching the show. I chose to remember the Duggar family that I spent the day with as opposed to the people that they later became.
Seven years ago, I was living in Missouri and traveling a lot. I had seen some of the Duggars' show and had just read their first book. In the book they mentioned having home church and pot faith each Sunday and stated that anyone was welcome. I had a trip planned and was planning to spend a Saturday night in Fayetteville, so I thought I would find out if in fact just anyone was welcome.
I sent an email to the address listed in the book and quickly received a reply from Jim Bob. He gave me his phone number and told me when I got to town on Saturday to give him a call and he would give me directions to their home. We decided to go ahead and stay in Springdale, and I did as Jim Bob had asked and called when we got there.
He gave me directions and said he looked forward to having my family join the next morning. On Sunday morning, we stopped and bought fruit and vegetable trays to take for the lunch. At that time there was no gate/fence around the property. We drove in. We rang the bell at the side door, and Michelle greeted us with a smile, invited us in, and talked with us as if we were old friends.
Jordan was in a bouncy seat on the bar at the pretty kitchen. Mrs. Query was sweeping the floor, and Jennifer was finishing up her breakfast. We made ourselves at home as the family continued to get ready and other guests began to arrive. A young man took prayer requests and praise reports.
Josh led the singing, and a family friend who also was Grandpa Duggar's Doctor during his last days brought the message.
Afterwards we went through the buffet line that the older girls had set up, and we ate. My daughter was the same age as Johannah, so she took up with her. We stayed several hours and fellowshipped with everyone.
Anna was in the early days of her first pregnancy and was having sickness. They had not shared the news with the public at that point. I visited with her and Josh a bit. Everyone just acted as if we belonged there. I never wanted to be a fan. I wanted to be a friend, so I did not ask for pictures. It just didn't seem appropriate.
Not long after, things got really big for them, and home church was no longer at their home. They didn't answer many emails, phone numbers were changed, fence and gates were put up. When they stopped being able to be just an average family, I quit watching the show. I chose to remember the Duggar family that I spent the day with as opposed to the people that they later became.
What is "pot" faith?
ReplyDeleteA pot luck meal
DeletePretty sure it just meant a pot luck dinner after service.
DeleteThey became this way in order to protect their family. It doesn't mean that they have changed in how much they love the Lord and serve Him. We are called to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. They are being "wise as serpents" in protecting themselves from the many who hate them and want to do them harm. I doubt that many of us would do anything less in such a time as this.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%
DeleteAnd some people can't understand that the Duggars did become "the people they later became." There you have a first-hand report. Fame and fortune did them no favors. Thank you for recognizing that Johnna.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! I also felt like the last paragraph was a powerful and encouraging part. Sometimes you have to let go to keep beautiful memories as they are.
ReplyDeleteWisest comment ever posted.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful! If I was to ever meet the Duggars, I would want it to be like that! I don't want to be a fan that is wild about everything to do with them but I am a person who watches them and keeps up with them as if they are some old friends of mine - even if I have not met them personally! - or what I want one day in my own family! I would have loved to be friends with the older girls as from what I have seen and heard, they are the kind of people I would really value as friends! I am actually the same age as Joy-Anna (about a year older, I'm actually a few months younger than Josiah) and I also have 6 brothers, though Joy-Anna has the blessing of many sisters too, unlike me! I have 4 sisters in heaven but none on earth. She is very blessed! :)
ReplyDeleteMay God bless the Duggar family! They are always in my prayers as I keep up with how their family is going! I love to see all the new members of their family and look at all the photos they share with us :)
Thank you Lily and Ellie for this blog. As I am now busy working, I don't get to visit the blog as often but the email updates help me see any new photos or updates! God bless, you are also in my prayers! :)
It's so unfortunate how fame changes people. I hope the same thing doesn't happen with the Bates, or hasn't happened already.
ReplyDeleteSweet story. I didn't realise how open they used to be.
ReplyDeleteYou (the woman who wrote in) say you chose not to follow when they became big but yet you still read this blog often enough to know to write in and share your story?
Sounds like a wonderful experience. I can understand some of the changes, like a fence and maybe being too busy to answer all e-mails. But I agree that they are not the same family. 'Fame' and money can have a strong effect on people. On a side note, I heard they received $50,000 per episode, I wonder how accurate that is?
ReplyDeleteYes this is true but recent days it's more now.
DeleteYou mean they became the people anybody would become if they were harassed and their family could be in danger?
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspective. Thank you for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteThey are still the same family and very very encouraging for so many via their program. I pray that they continue to be a blessing for those of us who will never be able to meet them.
ReplyDeleteThat last paragraph was a little rude...
ReplyDeleteIt was honest. Not everything has to automatically praise the Duggars without question. In a way I thought it was kind of beautiful because she chose not to let anything ruin a lovely memory of them.
DeleteI see it as a safety issue. A reporter showed up at the door and was let in by one of kids. What if it was a person with bad intentions? I heard a rumor that people were leaving horrible messages on their cell phones. At some point you have to step back and say "what is good for our family?" I sent a letter right after I had my daughter and never heard anything back but it doesn't bother me.
ReplyDeleteHi, Just wondering who Mrs.Query is?? Thanks for your answer in advance:)
ReplyDeleteThey put up the fence for their safety.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the Duggars would love to have enough time for everyone as they used to! I don't think it's fair to say that they've become a different family. As others have stated, these things are for safety and of course they don't have the time. I've been surprised already reading through these fan posts that the Duggars DO take so much time to talk to their fans. If I were them, I would be the nodding head/glazed eyes type at this point, but it sounds like they genuinely try to talk to people. That in itself is amazing, considering the thousands of people who have approached them to talk to them.
ReplyDeleteThe Duggars didn't change any they just had to take safety precautions. It is much more honorable to want to keep your own family safe then to take a risk by letting just "anyone" in their home and lives. They let people be personable with them in other ways now. Such as, book signings, music programs, conferences. This was a wise choice they made. They are true believers in Christ. One thing you can't fake is being genuine. . And they are very genuine!
ReplyDeleteHave you been in contact with the Duggars recently?
ReplyDeleteI would really enjoy a conversation with Jim Bob. I'm a 26 year old young man just seeking some advice.
Thank you!