May these Bible verses about faith in hard times be what you need to be lifted up whether you find yourself in the depths of a valley or atop a mountain in this cycle of life today!
"I don’t know who this lady is... she waved at him and he made his way up to her. I thought their interaction would be the same as last time but I was wrong. "
I married a man who cleans the kitchen and that has made all the difference. I’ll explain.
The other night I headed out to a little get-together quickly after dinner, leaving behind a table and sink full of dirty dishes. I hate leaving a dirty kitchen but of course, we were running behind in a major way, as in I was putting on my mascara with one hand while attempting to get Annie in her pumpkin romper with the other. On the drive home I decided I would tidy up before washing my face and hopping in bed, so imagine the major smile that washed over my face when I walked [into] a sparkling clean kitchen.
You see, my marriage isn’t perfect. I’ve let him down more times than I care to admit and he’s said the wrong thing at the wrong time once or twice. We’ve fallen into the bad habit of keeping a running list of “who did what” and “who forgot to do that thing again.” We’ve compared and contrasted time and effort and how good the job was done. I’ve been annoyed that he slept in that one day when I woke up at 5 a.m. with a bright-eyed baby girl and demanded he take out the trash because “ew, don’t you smell that?”
We don’t always get it right.
But, a lot of days, we do.
We tackle life as a team because that’s what being married is all about: stepping up when your partner really needs you; being the one who your person can count on; offering support, reassurance, and validation when life gets busy and you need to be reminded what a blessing marriage really is.
It’s real life, not a rom-com.
It’s a partnership, not a contest.
It’s forever and always; a daily choice to love and cherish.
And if, like me, you are really lucky… it’s your husband secretly cleaning the kitchen just because he loves you.
While walking home from school, 13-year-old Devonte Cafferkey, 14-year-old Sammy Farah, and 12-year-old Shawn Young, were doing what boys do best: poking around, laughing with each other, and probably taking longer than necessary to get home.
In between giggles and chatter, the boys came across a troubled man sitting on the edge of an overpass. He had what appeared to be a rope around his neck, just seconds away from taking his own life.
Not only did the boys take notice, but they didn’t panic and were quick to act.
They approached the man calmly and tried to keep him back from the edge. As they talked with him, they could tell their efforts to stop the suicidal man weren’t working. He tossed one of them his cell phone and said, “if it rings, don’t answer it.”
In a split second, he went to jump, and the boys grabbed onto him and refused to let go.
One ran to get help and they were soon assisted by 47-year-old Joanne Stammers, and another man, James Higlett. Stammers says she took over for one of the boys, who then called 911, and together they held onto the man “for what feels like forever.”
When emergency crews finally arrived, they were able to get them all to safety.
“Adults might have messed that up, but what they did was textbook,” Shawns mother Carol said.
According to her, the boys haven’t thought much of their life-saving efforts since the incident. She says they’ve “just got on with it,” and gone back to being kids.
“I am extremely proud of all three of them, they are all good boys and it’s nice that they are getting recognized for doing something good in the community,” she toldMirror UK. “Quite often in the national news, there are a lot of negative reports about young people so it is nice to have something positive. They are very young and I marvel at how they are all dealing with it.”
All five heroes received awards from the Royal Humane Society, a charity promoting life-saving intervention. The awards were signed by the Queen herself.
Following their heroic acts, Devonte, Sammy and Shawn sat down with none other than Steve Harvey to share about their experience.
As the boys held the man on the bridge, Sammy says he pleaded with the man through tears not to do this. “You have a family, you’re still young,” he recalls telling him.
The boys tell Steve that the man they saved was 21 years old. They didn’t believe he’d listen to a word they said.
After they saved his life however, he visited their homes and apologized.
To celebrate the boys’ courage and pure bravery, Steve teamed up with Universal Studios in Hollywood to send the boys on a trip to the theme park.
In the world of international football, few names shine as brightly as Cristiano Ronaldo. Known for his phenomenal skill, remarkable dedication, and numerous records, Ronaldo’s life story is filled with achievements. Yet, before the fame and accolades, there was a deeply personal and complex story of survival that marked the very beginning of his life—a story that could have ended before it even began.
Early Struggles in Madeira
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, to Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro. The youngest of four, Ronaldo grew up in poverty, with his family struggling to make ends meet in a small, tin-roofed home. His father was a gardener and part-time kit man, and his mother worked as a cook, but their earnings were insufficient for the financial demands of their growing family.
A Mother’s Desperate Decision
In her revealing autobiography, “Mother Courage,” Dolores Aveiro opens up about the dire circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s conception. She describes Ronaldo as an “unwanted child” due to the family’s severe economic struggles. Overwhelmed and uncertain, Dolores sought an abortion. However, the doctors refused her request, leading her to seek alternative methods to terminate the pregnancy.
Determined and desperate, Dolores resorted to traditional methods she hoped would induce a miscarriage. She writes about how she drank boiled black beer and engaged in strenuous physical activity, running until she could no longer stand, in an attempt to end her pregnancy. Despite these efforts, the pregnancy continued, and Dolores eventually decided to carry it to term—a decision that would unknowingly change the course of football history.
Ronaldo’s Rise to Stardom
From these turbulent beginnings, Ronaldo’s journey to stardom began modestly. At just eight years old, he started playing football for Andorinha, where his father worked. His talent was undeniable, and by the age of 12, he had moved to Lisbon to join Sporting CP’s youth academy. This marked the start of his serious pursuit of football, laying the groundwork for what would become an illustrious career.
Breaking Through Challenges
Ronaldo’s rise through the ranks of professional football was meteoric. By 2003, he had caught the attention of top European clubs, leading to his signing with Manchester United. It was here that his skills were honed under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, and Ronaldo quickly emerged as one of the best players in the world.
His mother’s unwavering support and the sacrifices she made were instrumental in his success. Ronaldo himself has frequently acknowledged her influence, dedicating his achievements to her perseverance and love.
Television has given us a front-row seat to countless emotional moments, some heartfelt and others less so. Over the years, a number of public figures have been accused of shedding “crocodile tears” — tears that are insincere and designed to manipulate the audience. Whether these tears were genuine or just for show can be up for debate, but they certainly made for memorable television. Here is a list of some of the most talked-about instances of alleged crocodile tears on TV.
1. Reality TV Breakdowns: Multiple Incidents
Reality TV thrives on emotion, often blurring the lines between genuine feeling and staged drama. Shows like “Big Brother,” “The Bachelor,” and “Real Housewives” series frequently feature contestants who display seemingly exaggerated emotions. Critics and audiences often question the authenticity of these tearful breakdowns, speculating that they are more about winning public sympathy or creating sensational TV rather than expressing true feelings.
2. Politicians in Hot Water
Politicians often find themselves under the microscope, and their emotional responses can sometimes seem calculated. For instance, in 2013, during a congressional hearing regarding the Benghazi attack, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’semotional testimony included tearful moments that some commentators branded as crocodile tears, suggesting they were part of a strategy to deflect criticism.
3. Talk Show Apologies
Talk show apologies have become a genre unto themselves. A notable example is when celebrities face public backlash and turn to national television to try to salvage their reputation. For instance, when Tom Cruise appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to apologize after his controversial couch-jumping incident and criticism of psychiatry, some viewers were skeptical of his emotional display, questioning its sincerity.
4. Sports Press Conferences
Athletes are often seen crying in defeat or controversy. While many of these moments are undoubtedly genuine, there have been instances where the public suspected less sincerity. In 2007, after being accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, Marion Jones delivered a tearful apology that some later viewed as manipulative as further details of her case emerged.
I don’t make it easy for them.
And I try incredibly hard not to give in.
I think it’s like this:
They need to fail.
They need disappointment.
They need to know how to handle the hard.
They need to learn how to fall, gracefully so they can get back up.
They need to figure things out, work things out, wrestle with the hard and know they can safely come to mom for guidance.
But I think this is our job:
Show them we actually struggle.
Show them how we work through.
Show them how we handle conflict through healthy conversation.
Show them that it isn’t easy for us.
Show them how when we fail, we get back up.
Show them how we deal with disappointment.
It’s simple.
Show them how we handle the hard.
Our actions teach them to be respectful, hardworking and compassionate.
That’s how they find their own happy.
My daily prayer is simple: “Lord, let me show them happy, the hard way.”
Happy the hard way mama.
It’s not about skirting around it, it’s about showing them through it.
We’ve got this.
Rooting for you.
About the Author: Hey all! I am Katy Ursta married to my college sweetheart for 12 years, a mom of two boys, and a stage four cancer survivor. I started writing as a way of coping with my diagnosis, but found the more I shared about cancer, the more universal cancer became, and the more connected I felt to others and the less isolated I felt through the struggle. I own a virtual health and wellness company and commit to helping my clients find a deeper motivation to fight for their own health. When I am not in the stands of my sons’ hockey games, I am usually found folding the never ending piles of laundry, looking for the matching sock, breaking up hockey fights, or (let’s just be honest) with my hand buried in the bag of chocolate, asking the question, “what do you want for dinner?” You can find more of my work on Facebook, Instagram, or on my website.
This sign sat in a seat reserved for the bride’s late son: “I’m in heaven for your wedding so what shall I do? I’ll come down to earth to spend it with you. So save me a seat, just one empty chair. You may not see me but I will be there.”
As wedding photography team Love Adventured wrote on their Facebook page, nothing could prepare them for the beauty of this moment:
“I met a man named Jacob Kilby yesterday who is alive because of a heart transplant received from this brides son, Triston. Her son couldn’t be here for the wedding day, but Becky‘s groom, Kelly, surprised her by flying Jacob up to Alaska to stand in as a groomsman, carrying Triston’s heart.”
The profiles of the world’s wealthiest individuals reveal patterns and traits that frequently contribute to their financial success. From technology moguls like Jeff Bezos to investment gurus like Warren Buffett, there are key attributes and behaviors these financial titans share. Let’s look at what the richest people in the world have in common, and how these traits have played out in their journeys to wealth.
What Do the Richest People in the World Have in Common?
1. Entrepreneurial Spirit
Most ultra-wealthy individuals started as entrepreneurs who took significant risks. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, started his company in a garage, betting on the potential of the internet before it was a proven market. Similarly, Elon Musk invested his PayPal proceeds into SpaceX and Tesla, driven by his vision for the future of space exploration and electric cars.
2. Long-Term Vision
Visionary leaders like Warren Buffett have always focused on long-term potential rather than short-term gains. Buffett’s investment philosophy involves holding onto stocks for decades as long as the underlying businesses remain strong, rather than selling them during market fluctuations.
3. Resilience and Perseverance
Howard Schultz, the force behind Starbucks, grew up in a poor housing complex but overcame various obstacles to join Starbucks and eventually transform it from a regional coffee company into a global brand. His journey underscores the importance of resilience in achieving significant success.
4. A Strong Work Ethic
Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, worked night shifts as a receptionist to fund her master’s degree. Her relentless work ethic eventually led her to lead one of the world’s biggest multinational corporations, significantly increasing its revenues during her tenure.
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is renowned for his habit of reading 50 books a year, covering topics ranging from technology to global health—demonstrating his commitment to continual learning and staying ahead of industry trends.
6. Effective Time Management
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, is known for his disciplined scheduling, which includes blocking out significant “deep work” periods to focus on strategic initiatives without interruption, ensuring productive use of his time.
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has diversified his investment portfolio to include real estate, yacht racing, and tennis tournaments, highlighting a strategic approach to investing that extends beyond his primary industry.
Growing up with a strong church influence often entails a unique set of experiences and values, shaped by deep faith, community service, and spiritual teachings. This background can profoundly mold individuals, influencing their character, work ethic, and life philosophy. Surprisingly, many athletes attribute much of their success and moral grounding to their upbringing in church communities. Let’s look at the lives of several well-known athletes who were raised in the church and examine how their faith has influenced their careers and personal lives.
8 Athletes Raised in the Church
1. Stephen Curry – Basketball
Stephen Curry, the sharpshooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, was raised in a devout Christian home. His mother, Sonya Curry, a strong believer, played a significant role in instilling Christian values in him. Curry often speaks publicly about the role of faith in his life, seen clearly in his humble demeanor on the court and his philanthropic efforts off it. He is not only a two-time NBA MVP but also a devoted community figure who emphasizes the importance of family and faith.
The late Reggie White, known as the “Minister of Defense,” was deeply committed to his faith, which was nurtured from a young age in a church-focused family. White played in the NFL for 15 seasons, dominating as a defensive end for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Off the field, his faith was central to his identity, influencing his approach to life, his interactions in the locker room, and his community engagement.
3. Bubba Watson – Golf
Bubba Watson, two-time Masters Champion, grew up in a family where both his parents were involved in their local church. Watson often talks about his Christian faith as a guiding force in his life and career. He is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly focusing on children’s hospitals and cancer research, inspired by his personal experiences and faith-based upbringing.
4. Allyson Felix – Track and Field
Allyson Felix, one of the most decorated female Olympians in track and field, credits her church-raised parents for instilling the values that have guided her through life and her illustrious career. Her father, an ordained minister and professor of New Testament, had a profound influence on her. Allyson’s faith is a cornerstone of her identity, helping her to stay grounded despite her global success.
5. Jordy Nelson – Football
Former NFL wide receiver Jordy Nelson grew up in a small Kansas town where his family’s life revolved around church activities. The teachings and values he absorbed in church helped shape his moral compass and instilled a work ethic that propelled him to succeed on the football field for the Green Bay Packers. Nelson’s humble nature and strong family values are often attributed to his spiritual upbringing.
6. Clayton Kershaw – Baseball
Clayton Kershaw, the renowned pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was raised with strong Christian beliefs. His faith has been a critical aspect of his career and personal life. Known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly with his charity work in Africa, Kershaw credits his faith as the motivation behind his actions. His commitment to his beliefs is evident both in his professional conduct and his charitable activities.
7. Tim Tebow – Football and Baseball
Tim Tebow, well-known for his vocal expression of faith, was the son of missionaries and was homeschooled in a faith-focused environment. This upbringing has made his faith a hallmark of his public persona, often discussed in media appearances and evident in his philanthropic work through the Tim Tebow Foundation.
Manny Pacquiao, celebrated for his boxing prowess, was influenced by his mother’s strong religious faith. Over the years, Pacquiao’s faith has become an integral part of his identity, affecting his decisions inside and outside the ring. He transitioned from Catholicism to becoming a born-again Christian, often sharing his testimonies and participating in religious activities.
These athletes demonstrate that success in sports can beautifully coincide with a deep, personal faith. Raised in the church, they have navigated the pressures of professional sports with grace and humility, often using their platforms to express their beliefs and give back to the community. Their stories are not just about athletic prowess but about how faith can guide life’s many challenges and triumphs. For these athletes, their spiritual upbringing has not only shaped their careers but has also provided a steadfast foundation for their lives.
Dolly Parton is a household name and beloved Nashville icon. Her powerful voice, bright personality, and infectious love for people have appeared on-screen and on-stage for generations.
Instagram: Dolly Parton
As a country music icon for decades, Dolly Parton has been open about her strong faith
Though she’s now country music royalty, Dolly’s success started with humble beginnings. She grew up dirt-poor, in Sevierville, Tennessee, and was the fourth-born of 12 children. “We had two rooms, a path and running water, if you were willing to run to get it,” she said. From the beginning, her family taught her to love Jesus and His work.
Instagram: Dolly Parton
She grew up around her mother singing songs and playing guitar. It wasn’t long before Dolly began to find her own voice, and fall completely in love with music.
When you first have children, we often talk about the challenges of parenting, the struggles of a baby waking in the night, the toddler who won’t stay in their bed, the cost of childcare, injuries from sports…
Having to take off work to pick them up from school when they don’t feel well, helping them with homework, a messy house, the never-ending laundry, the cost to buy school clothes, packing their lunches….
Courtesy of Misty Brewer Lee
You watch their eyes light up on Christmas morning and try to soak in the magic of those moments.
You coach them in sports, rushing to practices and ballgames, and tote them all over the country to let them play the game they love, no matter how exhausting or expensive it becomes.
Life is just so busy that you rarely even stop to think what the end of those days look like.
Courtesy of Misty Brewer Lee
In fact, it’s not really even something you can wrap your mind around.
You go into it thinking that 18-20 years sounds like a long time.
Then suddenly hours turn into days, days into months, and months into years.
That little person who used to crawl up next to you in bed and cuddle up to watch cartoons suddenly becomes this young adult who hugs you in the hallway as they come and go.
And the chaos and laughter that used to echo throughout your home gets filled with silence and solitude.
You’ve learned how to parent a child who needs you to care for and protect them, but have no clue how the whole ‘letting go’ thing is supposed to work.
So you hold on as tight as you can, wondering how time passed so quickly, feeling guilty that you missed something.
Because even though you had 20 years, it just somehow doesn’t seem like it was enough.
You ask yourself so many questions.
Did you teach them the right lessons?
Did you read them enough books as a child?
Spend enough time playing with them?
How many school parties did you have to miss?
Do they really know how much you love them?
What could I have done better as a parent?
When we think of celebrities, we often picture them on the red carpet or in blockbuster movies. However, many celebrities have passions that extend beyond their professional pursuits, and cooking is a common interest for some. In fact, several celebrities are not only food enthusiasts but also skilled chefs in their own right. Here is a list of celebrities who cook. Those who are known for their culinary talents, sharing their cooking styles, favorite dishes, and how they connect with fans through their love of food.
8 Celebrities Who Cook
1. Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in “Shakespeare in Love” and the “Iron Man” series, is also a celebrated food writer and cookbook author. Paltrow’s culinary journey began with her family and has become an integral part of her lifestyle brand, Goop. She has published several cookbooks, including “My Father’s Daughter” and “It’s All Good,” both of which emphasize healthy, delicious meals that are designed to nourish the body and soul. Paltrow often features recipes that focus on clean eating, with plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and gluten-free ingredients.
2. Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci, an actor renowned for his roles in films like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Julie & Julia,” has a profound passion for cooking and food. Tucci’s Italian heritage plays a significant role in his cooking, a theme evident in his cookbook “The Tucci Cookbook,” where he shares family recipes passed down through generations. His CNN series, “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” showcases his journey through Italy as he explores the rich culinary landscape and history of the region, making him a beloved figure among food lovers.
3. Chrissy Teigen
Model and television personality Chrissy Teigen has turned her culinary passion into two bestselling cookbooks: “Cravings” and “Cravings: Hungry for More.” Teigen’s approach to cooking is relatable and unpretentious, focusing on bold flavors and fun, comforting meals. Her social media platforms are filled with cooking segments where she shares her cooking experiences, recipes, and food adventures, connecting with fans who adore her sincerity and humor in the kitchen.
4. Blake Lively
Although primarily known for her acting career, Blake Lively is also a passionate cook and baker. She often shares glimpses of her culinary skills on social media, showcasing elaborate cakes and meals she prepares for family and friends. Lively has expressed her desire to attend culinary school, reflecting her serious commitment to mastering the culinary arts. Her cooking style is versatile, encompassing everything from intricate desserts to hearty main dishes.
5. Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is another multi-talented celebrity who, alongside his husband David Burtka, a professional chef, loves to cook. Harris and Burtka often host elaborate dinner parties and do not shy away from complex recipes. They share their love for food through their cookbook, “Life is a Party,” which offers recipes that encourage fun and celebration through food. Their approach to cooking is about making life’s moments delicious and memorable.
6. Eva Longoria
Before she was a household name from “Desperate Housewives,” Eva Longoria earned a master’s degree in Chicano studies with a thesis on the value of Latinas in STEM careers. However, her passion doesn’t end there; she’s also an exceptional cook, with a special emphasis on Mexican cuisine. Longoria has published her cookbook, “Eva’s Kitchen,” which includes recipes that feature her cultural heritage and personal stories related to each dish.
7. Ayesha Curry
Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, has made a name for herself in the culinary world with her cookbook, “The Seasoned Life,” and her former show on Food Network, “Ayesha’s Home Kitchen.” Curry emphasizes accessible, family-friendly meals that are both healthy and flavorful. Her culinary efforts extend beyond the kitchen as she also runs a successful meal kit company, providing home cooks with the ingredients and recipes needed to prepare delicious meals at home.
8. Kelis
Kelis, the singer famously known for her hit “Milkshake,” graduated from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school, which speaks volumes about her cooking skills. Beyond her music career, Kelis has ventured into the food industry, launching a sauce line and writing a cookbook. Her cooking combines her musical and culinary passions, creating vibrant, flavorful dishes that resonate with her eclectic style.
These celebrities show that cooking is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to connect with heritage, share love with family and friends, and express creativity. Whether they are whipping up family meals or authoring cookbooks, these stars bring the same passion to the kitchen as they do to their careers in the entertainment industry. Cooking serves as a personal retreat for them, a place where they can unwind and indulge in the simple pleasures of life. Their stories inspire many to discover the joys of cooking and the bonding it can foster among loved ones.
Amy Duggar King believes her cousin Josh Duggar, who is serving a 13-year prison sentence for charges related to child sexual abuse materials, deserves a painful life in prison.
“I hope every day there is absolute torture for him,” Amy Duggar King told People. “I really hope that, because what he watched and what he was viewing for his own fulfillment is those kids experiencing torture.”
Her statement comes just 11 months after Josh Duggar was found guilty and sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison convicted of sending and receiving child sexual abuse materials.
Prosecutors believe Josh had more than 200 pornographic images of children on his computer, including child sex abuse images and videos of minors as young as 18 months up to 12 years old (the same ages as all seven of Josh’s children with wife, Anna).
Amy Duggar King added: “He deserves every second in there, and I hope he gets a longer term. I hope he messes up again.”
Josh Duggar’s Addictions
Josh has a long history of sexual abuse. TLC’s hit show, 19 Kids and Counting was canceled in 2015 after allegations surfaced that Josh, the oldest of the 19 children, had molested five girls, including fourof his sisters. Months later, he admitted to cheating on Anna and having an addiction to pornography.
In November of 2019, Duggars’ then-business, a used car lot, was raided by Homeland Security Investigations after first being flagged by a Little Rock, Ark. police investigator in May of that same year. Three password-protected electronic devices were obtained during that search warrant containing dozens of images depicting nude minors and child sex abuse materials.
Special Agent Gerald Faulkner revealed extensive new details about Duggars’ arrest during a hearing in 2021.
Faulkner, who has worked more than 1,000 child exploitation cases in the last 11 years, testified that materials found on a computer belonging to Josh Duggar included files that were the “top five worst I’ve ever had to examine.” Faulkner wouldn’t even read the names of the downloaded files, which were graphic and disturbing.
Investigators found a program on Josh’s desktop called Covenant Eyes, which allows a user to “quit porn” by reporting to an accountability partner — in this case wife Anna—if the user visits porn sites. Duggar allegedly installed a Linux partition, which divided the computer’s hard drive into two isolated sections to get around triggering a Covenant Eyes report.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against Josh and the history of his abuse, a source told People that Anna believes her husband is innocent.
With Josh’s track record in mind, Amy says she doesn’t “know if he’s doing any work” on himself amid his imprisonment.
“I have not spoken to him, and I will not. I will not,” she shares. “When you just cross those evil lines like that, there is no coming back. I just think there’s no coming back.”
Amy Duggar King also has no contact with Josh’s wife Anna, despite offering her and their seven children a place to stay following Josh’s entry into prison last year.
King, who is the mother of one son, has previously said she fears for Josh and Anna’s children.
“Who wouldn’t worry about that? My heart goes out to all those innocent, sweet victims… It breaks my heart,” King said. “I really hope justice is served.”
“I will just say that whatever you do in the darkness comes out in the light. If you’re going to look at such disgusting and sickening images, justice has to be served.”
Josh Duggar’s Long History of Sexual Abuse
In June of 2023, Amy Duggar King appeared in the Amazon Prime docuseries, Shiny Happy People, which took a deep dive into the Duggar’s fundamentalist Christian movement, the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP). King, who grew up close with the Duggars, was often featured on the TLC show as “cousin Amy,” who was often labeled a “crazy, rebellious, and wild child” for doing things like wearing pants, listening to the radio, and giving front-facing hugs—all of which were against the rules for Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children.
King was starkly contrasted against her conservative Duggar cousins in more than 100 episodes of the hit reality TV series, a choice that King says was an intentional move by her uncle Jim Bob Duggar.
“My uncle had control over a lot of the show, [including] what happened and who was on it,” she told Vanity Fair. King thinks the series intentionally used her as a distraction from the uglier realities of life as an IBLP family. “Why else would I be targeted like that? There was a major thing going on that could be detrimental to the wealth of the show, and the popularity of the show.”
The major problem being Josh Duggar’s sexual addictions. King tells Vanity Fair she found out about the allegations that Josh molested at least four young girls including his sisters, “like the rest of the world”—on the news, when word broke in 2015.
“I was pissed,” she says, and immediately heartbroken for her cousins. “I felt like I wasn’t worth telling … that they didn’t want to protect me. They didn’t want anyone to know, [and] they wanted to keep it inside their little bubble. Secrets breed in the IBLP. Things are hidden.”
In the Amazon Prime docuseries, Shiny Happy People, it’s revealed by close friends of the Duggars that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar knew about Josh’s sexual addictions long before it was ever publicly announced in 2015.
They also went to great lengths to cover their son’s tracks and excuse his “juvenile behavior.”
In 2006, Jim Bob admitted his son had molested young girls four years prior. The couple had sent then-14-year-old Josh to an ILBP Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, for “treatment” in 2003. Josh stayed at IBLP for 90 days. It was during this time that Jim Bob, Josh, and the church reported the molestation to authorities.
Arkansas State Trooper Joseph T. Hutchens took the report but did not report the case to his bosses.
Hutchens, now 78, was arrested in 2005 and pleaded guilty to nine counts of viewing child pornography in 2007. He was sent to prison for five years but was released on parole in 2008. In 2012, his probation was revoked and he was back in the Arkansas Department of Corrections system, sentenced to 56 years for distribution and possession of child porn, he’s also listed as a habitual offender.
It wasn’t until 12 years later that Josh’s actions were brought to light publicly, and even then, there were very little repercussions.
