Maxwell 21: Deliberately Hiding the Truth Again

[socalrules]

I think the kids of Melanie and Nathan likely have a broader network because Melanie’s family is mentioned so often. She obviously sticks closely to her family. 

I have long thought Nathan and Joseph’s families may be a little more progressive than they seem but toe the line more when with the Maxwells. I say this because we rarely see Joseph’s family and Nathan/Melanie lost a child and that can change how you view the world around you. They may not go far from their upbringing but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them not live the strict Maxwell lifestyle. Hell, the just married son whose name escapes me, watches movies with his movie/book loving wife. That is real progress in the slow moving Maxwell world. 

[kpmom]

18 minutes ago, socalrules said:

 Hell, the just married son whose name escapes me, watches movies with his movie/book loving wife. That is real progress in the slow moving Maxwell world. 

It is, you're right.

The fact that John and Chelsy actually touched before the wedding, and John was referred to as Chelsy's boyfriend, almost stunned me.

Of course, the only reason we know these things is because of the Bontrager's (spelling?) blog.  We certainly would never have known these things if left up to the Maxwell blog.

It just goes to show how tightly controlled information is on the Maxwell blog.  Who knows what the offspring, especially the married ones, are really doing.

[Palimpsest]

22 minutes ago, socalrules said:

Hell, the just married son whose name escapes me, watches movies with his movie/book loving wife. That is real progress in the slow moving Maxwell world. 

John the rebel!  But it may only have been Chelsy who watched the movie!  And Chelsy's beliefs are pretty damn Fundie.  They may only be pulling a bit out of Maxhell into normal Fundiedom.  You know, the Patriarchal stuff that we still don't like but isn't quite as restrictive as Stevehovah's fun-killing way of life.

Nathan and Melanie (and kids) definitely hang out with her family but still are represented as totally skirts-only, family bible time, no TV, and very Maxwellian by Sarah on the blog.  Perhaps they rebel when away from home, but I expect Steve monitors them carefully from across the street.

I have hopes that Joseph and Elissa may be pulling away very quietly.  They are mentioned far less frequently on the blog and may be establishing some distance. 

[mango_fandango]

Any kind of movement away from the suffocating environment of MaxHell, however small, is a positive thing in my book. 

[Lgirlrocks]

I couldn’t imagine living in this family. I would have escaped as soon as I was old enough. I hated wearing skirts and dresses as a kid so I would have been in a lot of trouble if this was my family. I am a people pleaser but it took a lot to force me into a dress. I was always trying to wear my older brothers clothes too. 

[kpmom]

I also hated wearing skirts and dresses as a kid.  We had to wear skirts as part of our school uniform and I couldn't wait to get back home and change.  Same with Sunday church.

A new post is up with old pictures of Steve (Nathan is his spitting image).  Does Sarah honestly think Steve is the only father who ever took his kids out so Mom could rest?  Apparently so, as she asks if any of us know any dads who would do that?  Well, yes...

 

[mango_fandango]

It's like when Sarah did the video promo for the Moody series and said "Imagine that, siblings who actually like/love each other!!" 

To me, it just says that the Maxwell kids are taught that "worldly" children all hate their siblings, and that "worldly" dads are terrible and don't give a damn about their kids. Or, w/r/t the father thing, maybe it's trying to counter the idea that fundie dads don't do a thing around the house. 

[PennySycamore]

@mango_fandango, my four daughters are all very close even though they had lots of fights -usually over who got a cat to sleep with- when they were growing up.  I'm close to my siblings and my dad and mom were close to their siblings.  Ok, maybe my mom was not that close to one brother, but the other eight, she was.

ETA: There are a number of us who are not religious or downright atheist, too.  Being a fundie is not a requirement to have a close family.

[Coconutwater]

You can have friends and a life outside of your family and still be close. I know what a shock that is...”rolls eyes”

[Alisamer]

She would probably be shocked at my family - I have 2 sisters and we do things together often. From girls-only vacations to watching movies to shopping to catching Pokémon. We went with our parents to the beach a few weeks ago and are going again in September. My dad and I went to a tractor show at a transportation museum, and took our friend’s daughter with us as she and her husband were preparing for a family funeral. 

And, we aren’t fundie! We are Christian, and Baptist, my sister is even a deacon. But we wear pants, work, own our own homes, and don’t answer to anyone. Yet we all get along great and help each other out  

Really, as a single woman at Sarah’s age, I’d expect her life to look similar to ours, if her dad hadn’t stunted them all so severely. 

[MamaJunebug]

On 6/16/2018 at 4:37 AM, CyborgKin said:

And even that she'd do a dreadful job of.

If PSarah actually escaped and wrote about it and it was dreadfully done, I would edit it and make it wonderfully readable — for free.  Sarah? Call me if you do split! I mean that. Offer stands.   

[mango_fandango]

Sarah loves putting “twists” into everything, even if they aren’t actually twists at all. 

Also it seems that baptising the kids at a young age is a family thing; Anna looks around 5/6 ish in that photo, and Abby, Bethany and Christina were about that age. (We still don’t know if Joshua is baptised yet, do we? Unless Chris and OfChris made the decision to wait until their kids were older, or it just wasn't featured on the blog). 

[FloraDoraDolly]

15 hours ago, Palimpsest said:

 

All of the above and:

• Kanga is a fallen woman and single mother with no Headship,
• Rabbit has friends as well as relations,
• Piglet doesn't trust in God to make him brave, and
• Pooh and Piglet are probably gay because they move in together.

But most of all Winnie-the-Pooh is fictional and anthropomorphic.  Toys and animals can't talk so the books are lies.

Steve only tells his children the truth. 

And what about Christopher Robin playing with stuffed toys all day instead of helping his dad refinish the basement or pick up sticks in an elderly neighbor's yard?

[Palimpsest]

And Stevo gets a second Father's Day post today.  Even though Sarah's "time is limited" because of the "writing project" that is still unidentified.

Quote

 

I hope our blog readers enjoyed a fantastic Father’s Day!

We celebrated ours early before my sisters left for their ministry trip. Yes, they’re still gone, with no return date set quite yet, but thank you for praying! They’re doing very well and excited to see the Lord working! Please keep praying for their safety and opportunities to share Christ.

 

I'll send good thoughts that they are meeting eligible bachelors and planning their escape.

Quote

So, onto Father’s Day! First, I have to share two pictures from our very small group on Father’s Day proper.

The group is Teri, Steve, Sarah and Jesse.  No signs of extended family.  I wonder where John and Chelsy were.  Unlike the rest of the brothers John has no children yet.

Quote

We had a delightful day at church, a special meal, talking with my sisters, quiet time, and Dad made Jesse and me espresso.

He is such an amazing dad.

Quote

So now to our celebration the day before Memorial Day.

When none of the extended family were around either.

Quote

One of Dad’s favorite dessert is pumpkin pie.

Steve always did have a sweet tooth.

Quote

Our gift was disguised.

They gave him a gift wrapped parcel probably with a note in it.  So original.

Quote

We got him a wheelbarrow! It’s hard to find a good, quality wheelbarrow, but we think we found it. If you wish for one, they’re from Menards.

It looks exactly like mine.  I forget where we bought it.

Quote

Dad loved his gift.

He would have preferred a new Bible.

Quote

Jesse is quite the guy! 

Because he can carry a wheel barrow down off the deck.

Quote

So y’all, I’d love to hear something you admire about your dad!

OK, Sarah.  Even though my Dad was a Baptist missionary in Africa for many years he was also a doctor.  For him literally saving people's lives, training other doctors and health workers,  and preventing disease was infinitely more important than saving souls.  In fact, I don't think he ever claimed to have converted anyone.  I admire that.

He also understood that when I was an adult I could make my own decisions, marry the person I wanted without his permission, placed a very high value on further education, and encouraged me to become independent.  I admire that too.

[Sequoia]

1 hour ago, Palimpsest said:

wonder where John and Chelsy were.  Unlike the rest of the brothers John has no children yet.

Thank you for the summary! I'm assuming they were with Chelsy's side of the family? Possibly the only time she'll be free for a celebratory event outside Maxhell on the actual day, given that none of the other wives seem to miss "awesome" Maxwell occasions to be with their families...

[Black Aliss]

On 6/16/2018 at 9:54 AM, Black Aliss said:

Nah. Someone just doesn't know how to spell "Tiger".

I'm hoping Nathan's kids know about Winnie the Pooh but it's clear from Sarah's responses to comments that she does not.

So now the post itself and Sarah's comments on the post have all been edited to change the kitten's name to "Tiger". I hope Tina wasn't forced to change the name.

[socalrules]

I do like the picture with Mary and Anna in the wheelbarrow. It was on of their more normal pictures. I know a lot of people who would take a picture like that. 

I saw a guy with his kids in Trader Joe’s yesterday. I wonder if he is related to the Maxwells since they think it is so rare for a dad to take his kids grocery shopping. 

[johnhugh]

I’ve been defrauded, Jess is wearing a polo shirt with the buttons undone without a white t shirt underneath and I can see glimpses of his upper pecs. I”m having ungodly thoughts and it’s like Poor Sarah has turned Tits2 blog into a porn site.

 

[browngrl]

What is going on with Mary and Anna? Sarah says in one of her blog posts that there is no date for their return. That is weird IMO. I've seen single fundies leave to be missionaries but they all seem to do "boutique" sorts of missions which mostly seem to involve hugging orphans and the mission ends at a specified time. Has Steve let his baby chicks fly the coop and travel with no control over their itinerary or is this all a big ruse?

[freejugar]

To me, the girls in the wheelbarrow seem childish. I have a picture like that from when i was 6.

[SassyPants]

7 hours ago, Palimpsest said:

And Stevo gets a second Father's Day post today.  Even though Sarah's "time is limited" because of the "writing project" that is still unidentified.

I'll send good thoughts that they are meeting eligible bachelors and planning their escape.

The group is Teri, Steve, Sarah and Jesse.  No signs of extended family.  I wonder where John and Chelsy were.  Unlike the rest of the brothers John has no children yet.

He is such an amazing dad.

When none of the extended family were around either.

Steve always did have a sweet tooth.

They gave him a gift wrapped parcel probably with a note in it.  So original.

It looks exactly like mine.  I forget where we bought it.

He would have preferred a new Bible.

Because he can carry a wheel barrow down off the deck.

OK, Sarah.  Even though my Dad was a Baptist missionary in Africa for many years he was also a doctor.  For him literally saving people's lives, training other doctors and health workers,  and preventing disease was infinitely more important than saving souls.  In fact, I don't think he ever claimed to have converted anyone.  I admire that.

He also understood that when I was an adult I could make my own decisions, marry the person I wanted without his permission, placed a very high value on further education, and encouraged me to become independent.  I admire that too.

So Teri can't have Pepsi because it's a false idol or crutch, but SM can have pumpkin pie in June?

[singsingsing]

2 hours ago, freejugar said:

To me, the girls in the wheelbarrow seem childish. I have a picture like that from when i was 6.

Good. They should be allowed to be childish sometimes, just for fun. Everyone (well, mostly everyone) does things like that for a joke or a laugh now and then. I really liked that picture - it was so unlike the Maxwells. It was funny, the girls looked happy, and even Steve had a big, natural-looking smile on his face. I feel like that photo may have slipped in through a wormhole from the alternate universe where the Maxwells are still fundies, but Duggar or Bates-style fundies where they have fun and goof around and are in general a bit more human.

[Lisafer]

2 hours ago, johnhugh said:

I’ve been defrauded, Jess is wearing a polo shirt with the buttons undone without a white t shirt underneath and I can see glimpses of his upper pecs. I”m having ungodly thoughts and it’s like Poor Sarah has turned Tits2 blog into a porn site.

 

I couldn't focus on anything in the picture because Steve's stare made me uncomfortable right through my computer screen. It's as if he's asking wordlessly, "Do you know where you are going when you die?" 

 

[Eternalbluepearl]

I thought the wheelbarrow photo with the daughters in it was cute! It does look childish but Steve also drives them around in a minivan so I guess it fits. The minivan. I stare off and laugh about that to this day. 

[Coconutwater]

That’s the first photo of Jesse that looks natural and comfortable. Steve looks creep af, crop him out and it’s a very nice photo of Jesse.