Nurse Katie?

 

Following in the footsteps of several of her older siblings, Katie Bates, who turns 18 in October, is currently attending The Crown College of the Bible. (Joseph Duggar also attended Crown.)

Katie is in the one-year Bible program. Next semester, she hopes to start studying nursing and is seeking direction from the Lord as she prepares to make her decision.

Photo courtesy of lawsonbates.com

Duggars and Bates

Following a recent post on our Duggar blog, we received questions from readers wondering why, if the Duggars and Bates are such good friends, they never appear on each other's reality TV shows.

While it is true that there are restrictions, as the shows are on different networks, these two families are very close, and they are always present to show support at important events like weddings and graduations. They are also quick to lend a hand with set-up at these events, and they see each other at times throughout the year.

Erin (Bates) Paine has played piano at many of the Duggar weddings. John-David Duggar was a groomsman in Zach Bates' wedding four years ago. In 2015, Jana Duggar was in Michael Bates' wedding. This year, Trace Bates was a part of Joseph Duggar's wedding, and Carlin Bates stood up with Joy-Anna Duggar at the Duggar/Forsyth wedding.

Carlin Bates and Joy-Anna Duggar (who refer to each other as best friends)

Spring 2017

Trace Bates and Joseph Duggar

Joseph's wedding, September 2017

Jana Duggar and Michaela Bates

Michaela's wedding, August 2015

Photos courtesy of UP, thebatesfamily.com, Carlin Bates, Trace Bates

Duggar Wedding

Joseph Duggar and Kendra Caldwell, close friends of the Bates, were married yesterday evening at First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Trace Bates, 20, was part of the wedding.

Trace Bates and Joseph Duggar

Photo courtesy of thebatesfamily.com

Another Fan Shares Grad Party Pics

We have another batch of photos from Trace and Carlin Bates' grad party to share. These were sent to us by Taylor, who lives in Michigan and drove eight hours with her mom to meet the Bates. To see her photos of the Duggars, click here to visit our Duggar Family Fan Blog.

When we got there all I could see were Duggars and Bates everywhere. We were so excited! Carlin came right to us and told us how happy she was that we were able to make it, and she was an absolute sweetheart.

Taylor with Carlin Bates

My mom wanted a picture with Kelly, so Kelly was looking around for someone to take our picture, and Ashley came and took the picture of me, my mom, and Kelly. We told Ashley how we think she is so funny and bubbly and we just love her. Ashley and Kelly were so sweet, and each one of the Bates that we talked to talked to us like they had known us for years. 

 Taylor with her mom and Kelly Bates

Whitney was SO sweet and kind, and her and my mom talked a while about how their pregnancies were, and Whitney said she's feeling really good with her current pregnancy with Kaci.

 Taylor with Whitney Bates

Erin was a sweetheart, and so was Chad.

 Taylor with Erin Paine

I talked to Lawson about his latest song "I Will Always" and how much I love it and listen to it all the time, and he told me he's releasing more songs to that album soon.

 Taylor with Lawson Bates and Joseph Duggar

Michaela was so sweet and had little Callie with her, and you could tell Callie was so happy to have Michaela back home. 

 Taylor with Michael Keilen

Gil and Kelly were so friendly and told us how happy they would be to have us at their church that next morning, and they couldn't believe we drove from Michigan. 

 Taylor with Gil and Kelly Bates

We had a great time...and I'm so thankful to have been able to meet them. Even though I was so nervous to go up to each...of them, the ones I was able to calm down and talk to were so sweet and kind, and they are just like how you see them on TV. 

Taylor also met Tori and her friend Bobby.

 Taylor with Tori Bates and her friend Bobby