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.
About Chris & Wendy Jeub
