Arkansas Couple Expecting 19th Child

The latest pregnancy was not planned but is welcomed.

SUMMARY: Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tonitown, Ark. have announced that they are expecting. The baby, due to arrive in spring, will be their 19th child. "We are so thrilled," says Michelle, 42. Like all the other Duggar children, the new child will be given a name beginning with the letter J.

Her husband, 44, says, "This never gets old. We are so grateful for each child." And the couple are also looking forward to the birth of their first grandchild. Their oldest son Joshua, 21, and his wife Anna, 21, are expecting a daughter to arrive next month, which would make the girl older than her new aunt or uncle. Michelle adds that her mother and her sister were pregnant at the same time, so that she and a nephew are only three months apart.

Michelle says the pregnancy came as a shock despite her developing a craving for pickles. When she found she couldn't lose weight, she became suspicious. A test she had at home confirmed she was again pregnant.

Although told by her doctor about the increased risk for health problems in babies born to older mothers, Michelle says she isn't worried and doesn't take the prenatal tests her doctor gave her. "We know what could happen," she says. "We read through the information. If the Lord chooses to give us challenges along the way, we know His grace will be there, so we don't opt to do the testing."

The Duggars recently renewed their wedding vows-they were married 25 years and one month ago at the ages of 19 and 17, respectively. They live debt-free in a house they built themselves. Their lives are featured on TLC's 18 Kids and Counting which airs on Tuesday nights.

(Picture from Wikimedia Commons)

To read the entire article and see a video, click on this link to PEOPLE.

COMMENT: It takes a Christian couple to accomplish, with the Lord's help of course, what this couple has done. It is difficult to believe that a husband and wife without the faith the Duggars apparently possess would even think about trying to do what they have done. At least I think that is true in this time and age where cries of "over-population" are still being heard. I wouldn't be surprised if they do at times experience some negativism over their large family. The Duggar children must also be living lives expected of Christian children. Can you imagine what 18 children constantly fighting and fussing and refusing to share could do to peace in a household?

The Bible makes it clear right from the opening chapter that God wants parents to have children and that children are a blessing. In Genesis 1:28 God tells Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and increase in number." Psalm 127:3 (NIV) says, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." Jesus showed His love for children when he warned His disciples with the words, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

To be sure, the Word of God nowhere commands His people to have as many children as humanly possible. And in His wisdom, God even prevents some couples from having children and some individuals from finding a suitable Christian spouse with whom to bear a child. Still we have no scriptural basis for condemning the Duggards for wishing to have a large family.

The cries about "over-population" are not valid, at least in regard to the Western world. Populations of many European countries are dropping. Immigration appears to be the main reason our own population is increasing, and many are worried about the pressures on our social security system caused by the decreasing proportion of workers compared to retirees. If population is to increase, wouldn't it be wonderful if it is caused by the birth of more babies in solidly Christian homes?

In the end, Christian couples will want to use their best judgment in regard to how many children they wish to bring into the world, but their decisions should not be based on greed. Christian parents would do well to follow the example of Joshua in Joshua 24:15 who said, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." After all, Jesus has served us so well by taking our sins upon His back so that we could enjoy life in the heavenly home He is preparing for us.

*********************************************

Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].

*********************************************

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Is bison (buffalo) meat healthier than beef?

Bison meat has a similar flavor to beef although many people find it slightly sweeter. Nutritionists like bison meat because it is low in total fat, saturated fat, sodium and dietary cholesterol. It also has a high proportion of protein and minerals relative to calories. In fact, the American Heart Association has included lean cuts of bison as part of a heart healthy diet.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/7/09)