Our “Kids by the Dozen” episode was on television last night, and our website received more visits than ever before:
2,803 visits
17,140 pageviews
6.12 average pages viewed
86% new visitors
We are glad to see that our story still strikes a chord with viewers. I was away from my family this last weekend spending time in northern California at Training Minds Ministry’s Debate Camp. I was honored to be invited to speak to the debate families, and I shared with them Wendy and my experience with the TLC episode. While the story is humbling, to say the least, I am always thrilled to see the number of people come up to me and thank me for sharing the story, particularly of Alicia.
Everyone’s story is different, but there were many who identified with the struggle we faced with a daughter who was walking away from her faith. “I have a friend who’s doing the same,” “My older brother went through a similar time,” “My two oldest children want nothing to do with me, and I’m heartbroken.” These were just a few stories folks shared with me after I gave my talk on Sunday.
I recall two years ago at another one of our debate camps (Idaho) receiving a call from the editor at the TLC office. He and I had an hour-long conversation concerning “what Alicia did” to force her from the family. I insisted on not revealing the specifics for two reasons. First, I didn’t want to embarrass Alicia, nor did I want to exasperate the already poor relationship we had with her (we hadn’t reconciled with her at that point). Second, I very much believed that if TLC would have run down the list of what went on the three years before, the world of viewers would have simply judged our situation rather than identify.
That’s where the ministry opened up: folks identify with separation, because everyone has estrangement with their loved ones. The story of Alicia has come to a wonderful ending and, with that, a new beginning. We love getting together with her when our busy lives allow it, and we can’t get enough love out of Isaak, our grandson.
As for the details of the entire conflict, that’s why we wrote Love in the House. The book has done wonders for families who struggle with the emotional and spiritual loss of a loved one. The book brings healing to broken hearts, and we are thankful to God for allowing our story to be used in such a way.
We had over 150 people at our house today to celebrate the birthdays of all our children. Pictured here are 12 of our children. Alicia hadn’t come down yet from Denver, and Alissa is in Australia. My oh my, how they are growing up, and life is good…
12 of the 15 Jeub Children
You are reading that right: we’re expecting our 15 child! Wendy is now 3 months along, and we announced the news this afternoon. We’re expecting another child come March. Like I said, life is good.
A month ago the Democrats held the winning hand for history, that with the hopes of the first black president, Barack Obama. Now, with the appointment of Sarah Palin as the vice presidential running mate, history is on the Republican ticket, too. It has been assumed for too long that the first woman chief executive of the nation would be a liberal Democrat. Instead, we have a conservative Alaskan who has five children and hunts moose.
“Ah, but she’s a woman,” some say. While some may see power in Palin’s femininity (so-called “Palin Power”), I see the power of family. She has not been defined by what is thought to be the “perfect” politician’s family. You know the image. Husband, wife, two kids. Her family walking on the Republican Convention stage looked unique and different, but more truly American. Rough on the edges and most perfect in many ways. Consider:
Todd, Palin’s husband. Tremendously confident in his masculinity. Hunter and snowmobile racing champion. He broke his arm in the last race he was in, but he refused to give up. Tough Alaskan, one who would say, “Yeah, I stay home and she goes to work. Got somethin’ with that?” I identify. Early in our marriage, Wendy worked while I finished up school. That’s family working together, not some imagined misalignment of biblical hierarchy. Todd is someone I hope to have the privilege someday to gut an elk out together in the mountains of Colorado…with our daughters.
Track, first born son. He went to war for our country on 9/11/08. Nineteen years old and devoted to serving his country. He may pay the Ultimate Price, God only knows. He has been raised well within the strong values of this Christian family. These are the values I struggle to teach my children: love of God, love of country, life beyond self. If I were in battle, I’d like to have Track at my side. He seems to be the kind of guy who wouldn’t blink before jumping on a grenade to save those around him.
Bristol, pregnant out of wedlock at 17. How should Christian parents respond? Exactly how the Palins responded, loving and forgiving, believing in her daughter despite her foolish choices. While the media foamed at the mouth at the hope that the conservative Christians would throw Palin under the bus, Christians warmly sighed at how the Palins handled the news. Peggy Noonan got it right: “Modern American evangelicals are among the last people who’d judge her harshly. It is the left that is about to go crazy with Puritan judgments; it is the right that is about to show what mellow looks like.” Their family will make it through, because families are powerful.
Trig, Palin’s baby. She had Trig while in office, knowing full well that he would most likely be born with Down syndrome. She refused to compromise either her service as governor or her ministry as mother. Instead, she brought Trig to work—often excusing herself to nurse her son—making sure it all worked out. Families make things work. What a testimony for choosing life even when all worldly persuasion says otherwise.
The pundits are asking Sarah Palin if she can accomplish the executive duties while raising a family. Gee, do they really need to ask? Charlie Gibson from ABC stared down his nose like a cynical professor when he asked a leading question about sexism. Watch this…
I’m glad she didn’t agree with Charlie’s red herring, “Is it sexist to question your ability?” It was a loaded question, one that he would have pounced on if she answered yes. “See, she plays the victim and is not ready to be Vice President,” the pundits would have replied. Instead, Palin pretty much said, “Who cares?” Palin’s femininity is not defined by the media or her naysayers. Instead, it appears that Palin is defined by her strong values and conservative principles, those I would argue are founded in her Christian faith and upbringing.
Sounds like my kind of Vice President.
The Jeub family so identifies with the Palins. Her family embodies something that we believe is a refreshing calling for families: families are powerful. Other life choices don’t compare to the power of family. Not government, not money, not personal career ambitions, not feminism. Family. And family was not and is not being sacrificed by Palin, even when called to public service and high office.
Boy, what a contrast from the typical Washington politician! In every sense of the word, Palin is exceptional. She had been called to politics for all the reasons people should be called to politics: to shake up the “good old boys” and make a change for families. Also unlike Washington elitists, her promises didn’t fall to the wayside after election. She shook up her hometown as mayor and took on the special interests as Alaskan governor.
Some people believe that her being a woman is a violation of a scriptural mandate forbidding women from serving in public office. Two quick notes on that. First, if you’re being persuaded by someone who appears well versed in scripture that the Bible “clearly” invalidates a Palin vote, look up the verses. I have, and scripture does not invalidate a Palin vice presidency. Quite the contrary, God has called women into positions of influence, power and humble service throughout scripture (e.g. Miriam, Esther, Deborah, Mary, Phoebe, Priscilla). People with these archaic opinions have lengthy rebuttals that usually (and ironically) lead you away from scripture. When you read the few verses touted by your friend, ask yourself, “Is it really that clear that God forbids women to be public servants?”
Second, don’t forget who else is running for president. Folks who say, “Don’t vote for Palin because she’s a woman” usually refuse to be reminded how bad the opposing candidate is. Barack Obama promotes several complete opposite principles Sarah Palin is standing on. No matter how strongly anyone believes Sarah Palin shouldn’t be running the country, the bottom line is still this: a refusal to vote is a vote for her opponent. Some have gone so far as to say it would be unbiblical to vote for McCain/Palin. I sure hope they wise up before November 5.
This sounds like a campaign ad, I know, but you know what? Wendy and I have never been this excited over the Republican ticket. McCain has his shortcomings, and while I most likely would have voted for him, I wouldn’t put a bumper sticker on my car. I may just do that this year. I have my eye on this one: “I’m voting for the pit bull with lipstick.”
From Lydia Jeub Productions is this short drama of true love, starring the Jeub Twins and their older brother Josiah. Too cute for the average viewer, and you MUST keep it playing to through the bloopers in the end…
We post to an email group called MOMYS (Mothers of Many Young Siblings). Discussion of Sen. McCain’s vice presidential choice came up, and Wendy posted a response to a post from a mother who refused to applaud “this woman.” While she agreed with Palin’s pro-life position, the MOMYS mother attacked Palin as lacking character saying, “If she had the character we would like her to have she would not be in office at all but would be at home filling the role that the Lord God made especially for her.”[1] Wendy’s response is as follows:
Hi MOMYS,
I am very much applauding Sarah Palin.
I have read and read everything I can find on her and she is great through and through. She said in one interview that with her Downs baby, her and her husband could not abort him because every life is a
blessing. That is worth applause.
She also stated that there are those times when she puts down the ‘BlackBerry’ and picks up the breast pump. LOL! I can relate. Her husband also stated that he likes to be home and doesn’t mind it at all. All that is worth applause.
She has family near her and they also maybe pitching in and the older girls maybe able to drive and they can help to. My guess is she didn’t get this far without a whole bunch of supportive family around her. That is just wonderful.
She seems to know how to manage her time well and get things done. Some ladies do and I am always amazed at them because I am not one of them.
Her lifestyle is way different then most of us and probably different then what we could even imagine. Most likely she has her baby Trig with her and why not? She can have a assistant hold the baby while she makes a speech or have someone watch the baby while he naps and she writes a speech. She can leave the baby in the hotel with a sister while she visits the disaster in LA and be back. Who knows.
This is not her first baby. She has an adult son so she has done this before. (he is off to Iraq soon)
She may not even put in 40 hours in one week like most working mothers, plus she doesn’t have the drive time that they do making it 50 plus hours being gone from home.
Edith Schaeffer in her book “What is a Family” says that at some point the father may stay home with the children and mom goes to work. What is wrong with that? He may find that he does a wonderful job at making supper and that he really likes it. The point is family works together to accomplish what has to be done. It should not all fall on one person anyway.
Just wait until the cameras catch her nursing and try to make something bad of it. LOL
I think it would be wonderful to have her in the White House with a wonderful play area close by with her baby in it.
[These] are really strong words.
I know what it is like to be under public scrutiny and it is no fun at all to be misjudged and condemned for it.
As the media scrambles to find any dirt on her, let us hold her up in our prayers. I agree with Elaine when she says “let us pray for our country as these are very important times in our nation.” God Bless
the U.S.A!
Joy in the Lord,
Wendy =) <><
Married to the love of my life Chris.
14 blessings so far
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Our “Kids by the Dozen” episode was on television last night, and our website received more visits than ever before:
