‘Counting On’: Joy-Anna Duggar Just Broke One Of Jim Bob Duggar’s Biggest Rules With Austin Forsyth

Counting On star Austin Forsyth and some of his Duggar in-laws flew to the Bahamas recently to help with the Hurricane Dorian relief effort. And, when he finally made it home to his wife Joy-Anna Duggar, the couple couldn’t help but break one of Jim Bob Duggar’s biggest rules.

The Duggars relief efforts

John David Duggar registered the Medical Evacuation Disaster Intervention Corp, or “Medic Corps” on December 31, 2018, in his hometown of Springdale, Arkansas, which is a non-profit that dispatches trained medical professionals to areas in need after a natural disaster.

“The organization has run multiple disaster relief efforts in the Philippines and elsewhere,” says Chad Gallagher of Legacy Consulting, which represents the Duggars. “The family has deep compassion and care for those in crisis and hope their efforts provide assistance and relief to those in need.”

Joining Counting On stars John David and Austin in the Bahamas was Jana, James, and Jason Duggar and Bringing Up Bates stars Nathan and Lawson Bates, along with an all-volunteer medical and disaster relief team to help with the rescue, medical care, and delivery of water “after the massive devastation from Hurricane Dorian.”

During her trip, Jana gave a brief update to her Instagram fans, telling them that the devastation was “unthinkable” but she had hope because people were starting to reunite and rebuild.

A Duggar “Ladies’ Night”

While their husbands were in the Carribean helping with medical and disaster relief, Joy-Anna Duggar and Abbie Grace Burnett – who is currently expecting her first child – got together for a ladies’ night. According to OK! Magazine, it was former Counting On star Josh’s wife Anna who suggested on Instagram that the girls get together while their husbands were out of town, however Anna didn’t appear to score an invite.

“Lots of quality time with this sister,” Joy-Anna, 21, captioned a photo with Abbie, 27, on Instagram. “Missing our husbands, but thankful they are able to use their skills and help @mediccorps in the Bahamas!”

Abbie Grace commented that she was thankful for her sister-in-law, and Anna – who is pregnant with baby number six – commented that the two ladies were “such sweet and supportive wives.”

Austin was gone for nearly a week as Joy-Anna Duggar and their 18-month-old son Gideon waited patiently for his safe return.

Breaking Jim Bob’s Rules

When Austin did finally make it home, he wasted no time when it came to showing Joy-Anna how much he missed her. The Counting On couple couldn’t keep their hands off of each other, and Joy-Anna shared a couple of pics on Instagram to let fans know how happy she was that her husband made it home.

Joy-Anna posted two pics, and the first featured the couple in an embrace as they smiled at each other while little Gideon watched. In the second, they shared a romantic kiss. Of course, this breaks family patriarch Jim Bob’s number one courting rule – no physical contact – but now that they are married, Joy-Anna and Austin can pack on the PDA all they want.

Jim Bob Duggar makes sure that his children are all about sexual purity and side hugs when they are courting, but as soon as they say “I do” it’s game on for the make-out sessions and baby-making.

This makes many Counting On fans uncomfortable, as the public displays of affection between Duggar couples come across as creepy, as well as dominant and controlling on the husband’s part.

The men are all about affection while the women appear awkward and embarrassed. But, Joy-Anna Duggar has been married long enough now that she doesn’t mind letting the world know how much she loves Austin Forsyth.

New episodes of Counting On will return to TLC in October.