Digital News Report- The Duggar family of Tontitown Arkansas has welcomed their 18th child today, December 18th, 2008. Jordyn-Grace Makiya was born via C-section at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, weeks before her due date of Jan. 1. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 oz and was 20 inches long.
The Duggar’s 17 other children, who range from 17 months to 20 years old, all have names beginning with a J. They are Joshua, twins John-David and Jana, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, twins Jeremiah and Jedidiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah and Jennifer. Joshua was married to Anna Keller in September and says he is looking forward to the “blessing of children” of his own.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar follow the Quiverful movement and the teachings of Bill Gothard. They believe that children are unqualified blessings and gifts from God. Followers of the Quiverful movement believe that birth control is rejection of “God’s blessings” and breaks His commandment to “be fruitful and multiply.”
The Duggar’s turned to the movement after the birth of their first child. Michelle went on birth control afterward and had a miscarriage. After that incident they talked to a Christian medical doctor and decided to stop taking birth control.
The Duggar’s have a show on TLC called 17 Kids and Counting. A special on Jordyn-Grace’s birth will air Dec. 22 at 10 p.m.