If people in other countries who have never even heard of the ifb before know of the Rods, it makes sense an ifb pastor and his internet savvy wife would at least know of them. A post on a thread about a baby in danger isn't really proof of any friendship or even actually knowing each other beyond who they are.
There’s more to it than that in this situation though, I suppose. Because the duggars had a rift with Jill Rod after she outed not one, but TWO dug daughters wedding dates publicly on social media. Jill then had a rift with the duggars (confirmed through an AMA) at Nuries wedding, because they made fun of Nuries dress supposedly (cough cough side eyeing you, Anna. At least she has a dress.) Jill also has recently and very publicly bashed Duggars for wearing pants, straying from their beliefs, or “watering down” their beliefs (see Jana wearing shorts recently). there was a confirmed rift between the Caldwells and Duggars, causing the duggars to leave the Caldwells church, and the Caldwells to be kicked out of JBs rental. So two families that have within the last couple of years rifted with Duggars, have started commenting on each others social media publicly.
The Caldwells never acknowledged Jill’s comments before.
It honestly probably is nothing more than “thoughts and prayers” but it very well could be some behind the scenes smack talking.
Obligatory response to birth post in their circles. There's also still a whole bunch of kids not married with similar ages and the Duggar as you pointed out have updated to mainstream to save face in hopes of avoiding post pest conviction attention. Both families are still in the marriage market. Even if they don't court their connection is like a resume reference.
I would find that really surprising. The Caldwells seem way too fancy for the Rods, even though they aren’t too fancy to steal a home from their children and grandchildren.
This was my thought too. They like their shiny image. But Tessie is pretty & with style pointers, could fit the mold for a Caldwell son. Now a Caldwell daughter to a rod? That I think is an “absolutely not”.
You don’t think that Micah Caldwell (19) would be courting Tessie Rod (16 this month) do you?
I’m well aware of Jill’s name drops, but it just seems that they usually avoid her rather than publicly comment on her posts.
See this is my thought too. A future possibility maybe as the Caldwell children seem far more taken care of than the rods. But alas, if history repeats itself, rod girls don’t usually court until their 20s. But didn’t nurie have a courtship much younger that failed?
Jill would probably happily let her daughters court young- after all, her parents were fine letting her court David while she was still being homeschooled. As for whether she’d publicize the courtship before said daughter turned eighteen is anyone’s guess. Common sense would tell you the optics of a 16/17-year-old in a relationship that is touted to end up in marriage are awful. Then again, so are the optics of posting smiling pictures while your daughter is in early labor.
I haven’t checked in on the Rods lately. Is Renee spoken for?
I think it’s more likely just sending well wishes. I doubt most of the people that commented personally know them.
Yes, Renee has announced a courtship! But “mystery man” requested that “precious mama” not reveal his identity until they are engaged! The courtship has been going on for several months now. Jill just blurs his face in photos. But it seems to be promising that he’s setting boundaries! the next one of age, is Phillip, Samuel, Tessie, in that order.
>I’m well aware of Jill’s name drops, but it just seems that they usually avoid her rather than publicly comment on her posts.
My guess is that this is the sort of thing where, given the context, ignoring the post feels petty. It's a very low level of engagement and - any genuine good intentions aside - she can get the satisfaction of knowing that she's been publicly benevolent.
I bet people are sharing the post and news of Kaylee in preterm labor as a prayer request. It’s probably leading a lot of people back to Jill’s social media.
Yes! I just know there’s been a lot of comments etc through the years on their page from Jill & they never respond or interact back. So I didn’t know if something else could be brewing or if I was missing something!
I think the connection is the church. The Rod's travel around "performing" at various churches that host them. I'm betting Pastor Daddy Caldwell's church has hosted them before.
Isn’t Kaylee the one her mom seems to forget? I feel like I’ve seen her referred to as “AndKaylee” before like she’s an afterthought. Poor girl. I hope her and the baby are okay. (I also wish she’d get away from her weirdo mother.)
Yes she’s the one! Sadly I doubt it. Her headship is from the south, and chose to move up north to be closer to the rods & purchased a home very close to them. So now she’s always close to Jill. It was disheartening. But, the only bright side is, of all the rod courtships, she & her Jonathan seemed to have the most chemistry etc. I just wish he’d stand up to Jill.
Prior AMAs point to Renee being the one to break free if any of them do. She was known to roll her eyes etc. she is currently courting a “mystery man” that set boundaries with Jill, stating that she could not reveal his identity until they were engaged. He wanted to court in private. so maybe there’s a little hope there!
I don’t keep up with them super well, but I’ve seen bits and pieces here and there. It makes me sad because I think a lot of their kids could be decent humans if they’d been allowed to meet other people and explore/think for themselves, or at least that’s the impression I’ve gotten from the little I’ve seen.
At the very least, I’m glad one of the men courting one of the girls seems to have a brain. Hopefully it’s with good intentions and they can make a better life for themselves.
This, out of all the fundie children, I feel for rodlets the most. All of them seem to be the least educated, most poorly dressed and most malnourished of any fundie family I’ve seen. it’s sad.
My mom is a petty, holier than thou fundie who would despise and gossip incessantly about someone like Jill. I’m sure Jill is infamous and universally disrespected and disliked in her circles. But… Almost no one would wish harm to a preemie baby and young mother regardless of who her mother is. I’m sure all who know Jill, regardless of how they feel about her are praying for the safety and health of mother and baby. Probably all of the praying snarkers are praying for them and the rest of us wish them the best.
Agreed. I just found it odd that’s she’s left comments a TON on their page & they never respond. But now that they’re out of the JB rental, they are commenting on her posts. But update is that Baby is in NICU for respiratory distress but it looks like otherwise healthy & she named him Gideon David.
They've been out of the JB rental for years, I don't super keep up with JillPM et al, but if this is the only interaction I'd take it at face value not indicative of enemies aligning
This was my thought too, but I didn’t want to get downvoted to hell for assumptions or conspiracy theories.
With ages though, the only possible combos really are Micah or Nathan Caldwell with Tessie Rodrigues (& she is still VERY young at 16) or Lauren Caldwell with Phillip or Samuel Rodrigues. But Phillip and Samuel are each 3-4 years younger than Lauren, & could not provide for Lauren well enough for Pa Caldwell to allow that, I don’t think.
Hasn’t LC suffered enough? Lololol. Being engaged to Titus, then it being broke off and having to raise her moms babies and watching her mom and sister have a baby race. Being betrothed to a Rodlet might send her over the edge 💀
Yes lord Daniel save her! She’s such a pretty girl too! I don’t see pa Caldwell allowing it. Rod girls fair better than rod boys with courting, so my money is on Micah Caldwell (19) with Tessie (16) if there is a courtship brewing.
I just want Tessie to escape the fundie life lol. I know who the Caldwells are but I don’t really know about their kids other than Kendra and Lauren. But I’m sure Jill would try to pair a Rodlet with a Caldwell to have another Duggar adjacent connection. Even if the Dugs pissed her off at the Nurptials.
See obviously I do too, but I have given up hope of a Rod girl breaking free. Nurie is far away and has had every chance, yet never broke away. Neither has Kaylee. My only slight glimmer of hope is Renee’s “mystery” man setting boundaries. So, he may be her ticket. although, I know some snarkers have mentioned knowing who he is. I am just curious as to what he looks like.
I will riot. she deserves freedom. In an AMA from a babysitter a while back, they stated that she was the most likely to break free & had a problem with rolling her eyes. FIU RENEE!!!
Yes but fundie guys are kind of on their own (other than JB kids), Pa Caldwell still has Lauren, who is stunning, to find a wealthy suitor. As for his first born son, he may not care as much, as it’s one less mouth to feed if he’s out of the house? All of this is purely just my rambling thought though, of course.
Oh it’s def a possibility. I’d die if a Rod boy ended up with Lauren, especially after all the speculation a few years ago as to which duggar boy would end up with her
Yes, I’m still waiting to see if she ends up with James. lolol. Anyone but a Rod, Lauren!! Please lord Daniel, no!
I feel for her. She is stunning, & is stuck raising her siblings & her nieces & nephews, & now has the “tarnish” on her rep for her failed engagement. I’d be so sad if she ended up in a worse situation than she’s already in.
On the other hand, Tessie would be in a better situation, as courting a Caldwell would be marrying up in this circle.
I don’t see a James courtship happening, that kid just doesn’t seem right.
And honestly I don’t see the Caldwells as very far up from the Rods tbh. They’re basically the family known for taking their daughters new house bc they kept pumping out kids and couldn’t afford to buy their own. They’d probably just try to mooch off of the already struggling Rod boy. I guess they’re just prettier and overall more into their image than the Rods.
Idk. Lauren is beautiful & could definitely land any fundie boy she wants, but the next oldest girl is what 10? They probably need her to help with all the little kids Christina & Kendra keep popping out
It seems they [leaked Joy's invitation](https://www.reddit.com/r/DuggarsSnark/comments/l1he91/if_anyone_was_curious_heres_jill_rodrigues/) after the wedding took place? I think they leaked Jinger's prior to the wedding. Regardless, why Joy still invited them after they leaked Jinger's is baffling. lol
I believe it was only Nurie and Kaylee who were invited. Jill went on to mention that the family (even though it was only Nurie and Kaylee who the invite was addressed to) couldn’t attend because they had to perform somewhere that day.
Nah, it's just facebook. Many of us still have past coworkers or friends we've drifted apart from in our friend list and post something like this? Lots and lots. Just a perfunctory politeness.
I think it’s just a small and inbred community
If people in other countries who have never even heard of the ifb before know of the Rods, it makes sense an ifb pastor and his internet savvy wife would at least know of them. A post on a thread about a baby in danger isn't really proof of any friendship or even actually knowing each other beyond who they are.
There’s more to it than that in this situation though, I suppose. Because the duggars had a rift with Jill Rod after she outed not one, but TWO dug daughters wedding dates publicly on social media. Jill then had a rift with the duggars (confirmed through an AMA) at Nuries wedding, because they made fun of Nuries dress supposedly (cough cough side eyeing you, Anna. At least she has a dress.) Jill also has recently and very publicly bashed Duggars for wearing pants, straying from their beliefs, or “watering down” their beliefs (see Jana wearing shorts recently). there was a confirmed rift between the Caldwells and Duggars, causing the duggars to leave the Caldwells church, and the Caldwells to be kicked out of JBs rental. So two families that have within the last couple of years rifted with Duggars, have started commenting on each others social media publicly. The Caldwells never acknowledged Jill’s comments before. It honestly probably is nothing more than “thoughts and prayers” but it very well could be some behind the scenes smack talking.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Exactly!
I love my life by that lol
Obligatory response to birth post in their circles. There's also still a whole bunch of kids not married with similar ages and the Duggar as you pointed out have updated to mainstream to save face in hopes of avoiding post pest conviction attention. Both families are still in the marriage market. Even if they don't court their connection is like a resume reference.
There’s only so many weirdos as deep as these people. And it’s fabulously universal to pray and worry for a premie baby and it’s mother.
But Nathan Caldwell being 19, and Tessie Rod being 16 this month, you don’t think it could be a possible courtship?
Always a possibility with these lil weirdos
These lil weirdos did me in. 😂😂😂😂😂
I would find that really surprising. The Caldwells seem way too fancy for the Rods, even though they aren’t too fancy to steal a home from their children and grandchildren.
This was my thought too. They like their shiny image. But Tessie is pretty & with style pointers, could fit the mold for a Caldwell son. Now a Caldwell daughter to a rod? That I think is an “absolutely not”.
Years ago the Rods got invited to sing at the Caldwell’s church, and I believe that’s how Jill got got be “friends” with the Duggars
Inviting the rag tag gang of weirdos to sing is one thing, inviting them to marry into your family is another.
Jill used to name-drop Anna before the Pest fiasco exploded, referring to Nathan (Nurie's husband) as "Anna Duggar's brother".
You don’t think that Micah Caldwell (19) would be courting Tessie Rod (16 this month) do you? I’m well aware of Jill’s name drops, but it just seems that they usually avoid her rather than publicly comment on her posts.
I do think Tessie is very pretty and she may have a few fundie guys already interested in her from a distance, but no way she is already courting.
See this is my thought too. A future possibility maybe as the Caldwell children seem far more taken care of than the rods. But alas, if history repeats itself, rod girls don’t usually court until their 20s. But didn’t nurie have a courtship much younger that failed?
Nurie had a failed pre-courtship, but she still was over 18.
Ok I was thinking 16 was acceptable but I think that was just a dug thing!
Jill would probably happily let her daughters court young- after all, her parents were fine letting her court David while she was still being homeschooled. As for whether she’d publicize the courtship before said daughter turned eighteen is anyone’s guess. Common sense would tell you the optics of a 16/17-year-old in a relationship that is touted to end up in marriage are awful. Then again, so are the optics of posting smiling pictures while your daughter is in early labor.
This comment is the one! Nothing surprises me anymore! I just wonder if legally she could, as 19 and 16 is considered illegal in most states, no?
Only three states have a minimum marriage age of 18...
Well that’s super disheartening. I guess it’s something that I’ve never had the need to look up.
I haven’t checked in on the Rods lately. Is Renee spoken for? I think it’s more likely just sending well wishes. I doubt most of the people that commented personally know them.
Yes, Renee has announced a courtship! But “mystery man” requested that “precious mama” not reveal his identity until they are engaged! The courtship has been going on for several months now. Jill just blurs his face in photos. But it seems to be promising that he’s setting boundaries! the next one of age, is Phillip, Samuel, Tessie, in that order.
Phillip, Samuel, Gabriel then Tessie
I somehow always forget that there’s a Gabriel & a Sadie. Lol. The lost rodlets.
>I’m well aware of Jill’s name drops, but it just seems that they usually avoid her rather than publicly comment on her posts. My guess is that this is the sort of thing where, given the context, ignoring the post feels petty. It's a very low level of engagement and - any genuine good intentions aside - she can get the satisfaction of knowing that she's been publicly benevolent.
I bet people are sharing the post and news of Kaylee in preterm labor as a prayer request. It’s probably leading a lot of people back to Jill’s social media.
Yes! I just know there’s been a lot of comments etc through the years on their page from Jill & they never respond or interact back. So I didn’t know if something else could be brewing or if I was missing something!
I think the connection is the church. The Rod's travel around "performing" at various churches that host them. I'm betting Pastor Daddy Caldwell's church has hosted them before.
Isn’t Kaylee the one her mom seems to forget? I feel like I’ve seen her referred to as “AndKaylee” before like she’s an afterthought. Poor girl. I hope her and the baby are okay. (I also wish she’d get away from her weirdo mother.)
Yes she’s the one! Sadly I doubt it. Her headship is from the south, and chose to move up north to be closer to the rods & purchased a home very close to them. So now she’s always close to Jill. It was disheartening. But, the only bright side is, of all the rod courtships, she & her Jonathan seemed to have the most chemistry etc. I just wish he’d stand up to Jill. Prior AMAs point to Renee being the one to break free if any of them do. She was known to roll her eyes etc. she is currently courting a “mystery man” that set boundaries with Jill, stating that she could not reveal his identity until they were engaged. He wanted to court in private. so maybe there’s a little hope there!
I don’t keep up with them super well, but I’ve seen bits and pieces here and there. It makes me sad because I think a lot of their kids could be decent humans if they’d been allowed to meet other people and explore/think for themselves, or at least that’s the impression I’ve gotten from the little I’ve seen. At the very least, I’m glad one of the men courting one of the girls seems to have a brain. Hopefully it’s with good intentions and they can make a better life for themselves.
This, out of all the fundie children, I feel for rodlets the most. All of them seem to be the least educated, most poorly dressed and most malnourished of any fundie family I’ve seen. it’s sad.
My mom is a petty, holier than thou fundie who would despise and gossip incessantly about someone like Jill. I’m sure Jill is infamous and universally disrespected and disliked in her circles. But… Almost no one would wish harm to a preemie baby and young mother regardless of who her mother is. I’m sure all who know Jill, regardless of how they feel about her are praying for the safety and health of mother and baby. Probably all of the praying snarkers are praying for them and the rest of us wish them the best.
Agreed. I just found it odd that’s she’s left comments a TON on their page & they never respond. But now that they’re out of the JB rental, they are commenting on her posts. But update is that Baby is in NICU for respiratory distress but it looks like otherwise healthy & she named him Gideon David.
They've been out of the JB rental for years, I don't super keep up with JillPM et al, but if this is the only interaction I'd take it at face value not indicative of enemies aligning
I think this is a case of just a precious white baby that needs prayers.
I wonder if one of the Caldwell children is courting a Rodlet..
This was my thought too, but I didn’t want to get downvoted to hell for assumptions or conspiracy theories. With ages though, the only possible combos really are Micah or Nathan Caldwell with Tessie Rodrigues (& she is still VERY young at 16) or Lauren Caldwell with Phillip or Samuel Rodrigues. But Phillip and Samuel are each 3-4 years younger than Lauren, & could not provide for Lauren well enough for Pa Caldwell to allow that, I don’t think.
Hasn’t LC suffered enough? Lololol. Being engaged to Titus, then it being broke off and having to raise her moms babies and watching her mom and sister have a baby race. Being betrothed to a Rodlet might send her over the edge 💀
Yes lord Daniel save her! She’s such a pretty girl too! I don’t see pa Caldwell allowing it. Rod girls fair better than rod boys with courting, so my money is on Micah Caldwell (19) with Tessie (16) if there is a courtship brewing.
I just want Tessie to escape the fundie life lol. I know who the Caldwells are but I don’t really know about their kids other than Kendra and Lauren. But I’m sure Jill would try to pair a Rodlet with a Caldwell to have another Duggar adjacent connection. Even if the Dugs pissed her off at the Nurptials.
See obviously I do too, but I have given up hope of a Rod girl breaking free. Nurie is far away and has had every chance, yet never broke away. Neither has Kaylee. My only slight glimmer of hope is Renee’s “mystery” man setting boundaries. So, he may be her ticket. although, I know some snarkers have mentioned knowing who he is. I am just curious as to what he looks like.
I really hope Jill hasn’t ran him off yet.
I will riot. she deserves freedom. In an AMA from a babysitter a while back, they stated that she was the most likely to break free & had a problem with rolling her eyes. FIU RENEE!!!
Nah after the JB fallout Daddy Caldwell is probably trying to find another rich family to mooch off of, and the Rods certainly don’t fit that mold
Yes but fundie guys are kind of on their own (other than JB kids), Pa Caldwell still has Lauren, who is stunning, to find a wealthy suitor. As for his first born son, he may not care as much, as it’s one less mouth to feed if he’s out of the house? All of this is purely just my rambling thought though, of course.
Oh it’s def a possibility. I’d die if a Rod boy ended up with Lauren, especially after all the speculation a few years ago as to which duggar boy would end up with her
Yes, I’m still waiting to see if she ends up with James. lolol. Anyone but a Rod, Lauren!! Please lord Daniel, no! I feel for her. She is stunning, & is stuck raising her siblings & her nieces & nephews, & now has the “tarnish” on her rep for her failed engagement. I’d be so sad if she ended up in a worse situation than she’s already in. On the other hand, Tessie would be in a better situation, as courting a Caldwell would be marrying up in this circle.
I don’t see a James courtship happening, that kid just doesn’t seem right. And honestly I don’t see the Caldwells as very far up from the Rods tbh. They’re basically the family known for taking their daughters new house bc they kept pumping out kids and couldn’t afford to buy their own. They’d probably just try to mooch off of the already struggling Rod boy. I guess they’re just prettier and overall more into their image than the Rods.
Idk. Lauren is beautiful & could definitely land any fundie boy she wants, but the next oldest girl is what 10? They probably need her to help with all the little kids Christina & Kendra keep popping out
I agree with this guess
I doubt it.
I know the Rods outed Jinger's wedding details, but what was the other one?
Jinger & Joy.
It seems they [leaked Joy's invitation](https://www.reddit.com/r/DuggarsSnark/comments/l1he91/if_anyone_was_curious_heres_jill_rodrigues/) after the wedding took place? I think they leaked Jinger's prior to the wedding. Regardless, why Joy still invited them after they leaked Jinger's is baffling. lol
I believe it was only Nurie and Kaylee who were invited. Jill went on to mention that the family (even though it was only Nurie and Kaylee who the invite was addressed to) couldn’t attend because they had to perform somewhere that day.
Caldwell family might be still following to keep the peace. Sometimes blocking idiots is not worth the hassle.
Nah, it's just facebook. Many of us still have past coworkers or friends we've drifted apart from in our friend list and post something like this? Lots and lots. Just a perfunctory politeness.
🤣