anewnewcrest

[anewnewcrest]

From Lily Graham's Simstagram

It's such a blessing to have a husband who is a strong leader! I love how strong Baker is in his faith, how much love he has for the Watcher and for his family, and how intent he is on following the path the Watcher has set for us. He lets nothing dissuade him from doing what he thinks is right for me and the children, and he displays the same leadership qualities he shows in the military at home, too. I couldn't ask for a better husband and protector, and for a better father for my children!

From Lily Graham's Diary

Submitting to my husband is so much harder than I thought it would be! I thought things would be like with my mom and dad at home, but better, because it's Baker and he has a real job... and now he wants to make all of these changes to our lives, wants to do things differently than how I was taught to do them, and it's so hard! I know Baker is a good man, and I know he loves me, and he loves the kids, and he wants what is best for us... but I wish I had a voice. I wish I could make decisions, I wish I could... I wish he would listen to me. Compromise. I admit, I'm a little bit glad Zoe is going to school, because I can already see it's so good for her, and managing everything is so much easier without me being pregnant again, but... it's wrong, isn't it? And I feel so alone. And like my husband doesn't care what I think.

From Baker Graham's Prayer Journal

It's so lonely, carrying the burden of this family alone. Lily does so much of the work at home, but I'm the only one with a job, and I'm so worried that if I lose that job, then we'll lose our house and we'll lose everything. And every big decision for our family, I have to make, and I'm so scared of doing the wrong thing. And I hate it. I wish I could talk it through with Lily, really think about all the pros and cons, have a good discussion about it, and then figure out what's best for us and our kids and our family. But all she says is that she'll submit to my authority, and if she doesn't, then she parrots all the things her family and the church in Newcrest have said about school, and skirts, and modesty, and no birth control, as if it is the absolute truth and the only possible way to live. And that is... that is no basis for a decision! That is no decision at all, just blindly following along, and I don't want that for my life, and I also don't want that for Lily. Because it's not what is best for us! Why can't she... why can't she be a partner, instead of a submissive wife?

[anewnewcrest]

From Lily Graham's Simstagram

Time flies! Our oldest daughter Zoe is such a big girl now, and we couldn't be any prouder of her. She's a smart and sweet little girl who knows what she wants (and how to get it), curious-and strong-willed and still such a good big sister to Carson and Travis. She loves the old swing set in the garden, playing with her little brothers (sometimes a bit more rambunctiously than her brothers would like), videocalling with her grandpa in Newcrest, and her favorite time of the day is when her daddy comes home from work and she goes off running, no matter what she's doing.

She also started school a few weeks ago. We prayed and talked about this matter for a long time, but ultimately, the Watcher called us to send her to public school on Strangerville base. Baker and all of his siblings went to that school, too, and we know that there's good people and good teachers there, and that we won't have to worry unduly about our children being exposed to un-Watcherly influences, with all of the kids being military brats like ours. Zoe loves it so far (she's even played school with her little brothers, and sternly called Travis to order when he would crawl off instead of listening), and even though it's only been a few weeks, I've already been amazed at what kids are learning in school! So much I've never heard about, or at least haven't been taught that way!

[anewnewcrest]

"Now that Zoe is almost ready for school... Lily, what do you think about public school here on base?"

"I thought we were homeschooling, as a matter of course!"

"Well... you've been so busy with the little ones lately, and maybe it would be better for them to go to school."

"But all the secular influences! They might be exposed to all sorts of things, and be turned away from their faith in the Watcher!"

"I went to that school and I'm fine."

"And Chelsea went too, and now she's a... a... a scientist! Do you want Zoe to become a scientist?"

"Of course not. But I really don't think it will hurt, and it might be... difficult for you to homeschool them adequately."

"Nonsense. I've already looked up worksheets and books I can give them, and everybody online says it's super easy, just half an hour a day!"

"But I've been to school, and half an hour really is not enough. And teachers know all kinds of things about child development and learning disabilities and they can catch issues early and..."

"Are you calling me too dumb to know what's best for my kids?"

"I'm not calling you dumb, but to be frank, your education at home wasn't the best, and what they'll get at the public school here on base will be better than that."

"But... Baker!"

"Lily, I'm not saying you wouldn't do it well. But I've seen how great a good school is for kids, and people here on base are decent, law-abiding folks, and they're all in the military. It's not like they let anyone in. Zoe will be fine."

"If... if you say so."

[anewnewcrest]

From Baker Graham's Simstagram

Happy Birthday! My beautiful wife Lily turned thirty, and I'm a blessed man to have her at my side. She's not only the best cook in the family, and supermom to our three children, but also the reason why I get up in the mornings. My best friend, my cheerleader, and the one who keeps our home running so I can go out every day, and come home to stories and laughter and baby snuggles and sticky toddler hands and even diapers that need changing. I couldn't imagine life without you, and Watcher willing, I couldn't imagine a better future than spending the next thirty years at your side.

We love you so much!

Baker, Zoe, Carson, and Travis

[anewnewcrest]

"And then he started crying and crying and crying and he said he needs me and I just... I just don't know what to do. Isn't he supposed to be the strong one? The one who protects me?"

"Well, that's just it. He loves you so much, and he can't protect you from that, and that scares him so much that he doesn't know what to do."

"But the Watcher calls us not to live in fear! He just needs to pray more, and then he will be delivered from his fear!"

"Just like I need to pray more and Henry will finally be nice to me?"

"I thought things were better?"

"You don't know the half of it... anyway, I think this is above just praying about it."

"Are you seriously telling me to use birth control?"

"Well, I have since Grace was born, and it's... actually fine. A relief knowing that I won't have to figure out how to put another crib into that tin can of a trailer."

"But..."

"Aren't you the one who always tells me that I need to submit more to my husband?"

"Yes, but... that's not the same! He's leading me into sin!"

"Is Henry not sinning by screaming at me and the girls, cheating on me, and spending all of our money at the bar?"

"All right. I'll talk to Baker. And I'll talk to the doctor. But I don't have to like it. And we're not telling mom a thing."

"Not a single word. I promise. Your secret is safe with me."

[anewnewcrest]

"So, Lily... speaking of babies. Travis is six months old now. I've thought about it, and it's time for you to go on birth control."

"WHAT?"

"You heard me."

"But how can you even say that! It's immoral! It kills babies! It's against the Watcher's design!"

"Lily, we've been over this. Birth control does not kill babies. The doctor said so!"

"The doctor is lying, she just wants to sell more birth control! She's brainwashed."

"Lily, you should trust the doctors. They've studied for years. They know their stuff, and they want what's best for you."

"Why should I trust the doctors when you can't even trust the Watcher? Their worldly knowledge is nothing against his eternal wisdom! I thought you were a man of faith!"

"That's a really low blow. And you know childbirth is dangerous. You know what can happen!"

"Baker, I was fine the last three times!"

"MY MOM WAS FINE TOO THE FIRST THREE TIMES! AND THEN SHE WAS DEAD!"

"Baker..."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled. But I'm so scared. I'm so scared every time you're pregnant, I can't think, I can't breathe, it's getting worse with each baby, all that's going through my mind is you being dead, me coming home to tell the kids that you died, me trying to make a go of it without you... because I can't do this without you, Lily. I need you!"

"Baker, no, don't cry..."

[anewnewcrest]

From Lily Graham's Simstagram

Happy birthday to our oldest son Carson! We're so proud to be your mommy and daddy, and we love you so very much! You're such a good little boy, you play so well with your sister Zoe, you're such a good role model for your little brother Travis, and while you're a little fussy and sensitive now and then, we're sure that you'll grow out of that eventually.

We re-modeled the former guest bedroom to be a room for Zoe and Carson. Because they're both still so young and of such a similar age and with similar interests, we feel it is not inappropriate to share at this point in time, but of course, we will continue to re-adjust our planning as our children grow and as, Watcher willing, they'll have more little siblings! For now, Carson and Zoe love their new room, and they really enjoy reading and playing together, and of course, keeping each other up when it is their bedtime! It's such a blessing that they can have their own space, and I'm so very grateful that we were able to decorate it to their liking, colorful and with engaging designs - something that I've never had as a girl.

[anewnewcrest]

From the Diary of Daisy King

I'm so overwhelmed and I'm so angry at Henry. He spent all of our grocery money and bill money on stupid shit so the girls would be happy to see him, and then I had to be the bad guy and take away their bikes so we could get some of our money back and have the utilities company turn the power back on. All the while Henry is telling me how stupid I am, how fat I am, how useless I am. For a moment there, he was nice to me, he was nice to all of us, and I was convinced he'd turned a new leaf... and now we're back to square one.

I know I've been taught that I have to keep sweet, and put my head down, and pray for him, and then things will get better. But no amount of praying for Henry will help. No amount of placating him. In fact, it feels like things are getting worse when I don't stand up to him. But I also can't leave him. That would be a sin, and where would I go? To Baker and Lily, when Baker doesn't even really want me visiting them? To my mom? With the house stuffed to the rafters with kids, and now Ashton's new wife pregnant, too? I couldn't take it. And she'd never take me back if I left Henry. She'd just tell me to go back and grovel, the way everyone in church does.

The only thing I can do is make the best of it, and make a go of it with Henry, and see that I do my best for the girls. Protect them. And hope that somehow, I can find a way out of this mess I've made. And Watcher, what a mess have I made...!

[anewnewcrest]

From Daisy King's Simstagram

WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR

KING FAMILY TREE

My name is Daisy King, and I'm living in Strangerville near my sister Lily and her family, with my wonderful husband Henry, who recently returned from his deployment overseas, and our three daughters! Being a wife and mom is my highest calling, and I love that I can fulfill it from home (I'm homeschooling as a matter of course!) with my like-minded sister at my side. We're loving on each other's children and supporting each other, and I'm so grateful to have her in my life to keep me accountable and centered on the Watcher! My family might not have much, and our home might be tiny, but we love it here and we're making it work!

[anewnewcrest]

From Lily Graham's Simstagram

WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR

GRAHAM FAMILY TREE

Hi, I'm Lily Graham, and my husband Baker and I are stationed in Strangerville with our family! We love the Watcher above all else, and serve him through our daily lives, by raising our three children Zoe, Carson, and Travis to love the Watcher, and also through our ministry work for the soldiers stationed here, who need the love of the Watcher and His good news! We strive to be good examples of the Watcher's ordained roles for men and women by living according to his roles for men and women, and by welcoming as many children as the Watcher will give us! We have just welcomed our third baby, Travis, and can't wait to expand our family again! Follow me for more mommy and ministry content!

(Yes, Lily was homeschooled, why do you ask?)

[anewnewcrest]

Probably a very random question, but with 100+ Sims in this story, 50+ of whom are guys, I'm wondering... how many of them can I send to prison without it getting weird? Because I have plans, but I also don't want to overdo it, you know?

(this poll is not entirely serious)

[anewnewcrest]

A2, B12, C8 your choice, D3, F1

I'm finally getting to answer these! Yay!

A2: What has been your favorite storyline to write so far? Your least favorite?

Honestly it's hard to pick, because I'm usually much more excited about planning the storylines than I'm about actually doing all the work of writing them! And by now there's been so much...!

I really enjoy Priscilla Sawyer's storyline because Maxwell Sawyer is suffering. I also love doing Mark and Kathryn's relationship because they're at least normal-adjacent, Frank Rogers going to prison was a very lovely moment (for me), and generally everything where horrible people suffer through the consequences of their own actions in some way. Unfortunately I can't put too much of that, because fundies rarely do suffer the consequences of their actions.

Least favorite is probably the more outwardly abusive men (Henry King, Lincoln Evans, Ashton Miller, Michael Matthews, Mason Matthews, Maxwell Sawyer, just to name a few). There's a big difference between putting "This man is an abusive fuckward who abuses his family" into your notes, and actually trying to convey the reality of that abuse.

Also the Joneses, because I find them more boring than expected, and the Rogerses because they're so fucked that it's hard to stomach for me.

B12: When you're not playing Fundie Sims, what kind of sims do you play?

Uuuuh... more fundies? I've always enjoyed playing with big families, and if I try to play normal Sims I get bored, and start over-planning everything, and if I'm over-planning I might as well get some story done for the blog while I over-plan.

C8: Share a few random facts about Sims/families that may not come up in the story.

David Johnson is really, really, really into career women in suits who are intelligent, well-spoken, put together, and will disagree with him. So, the exact opposite of his wife.

The reason why my Fundie Sims generally don't have pets is because I don't want to see the pets mistreated. I'm apparently a-ok with virtual child abuse, but draw the line at cats and dogs.

If my Sims got therapy, 90% of my stories would not exist.

I had to ret-con some character ages because if I hadn't Gwen Bell and Alyssa Payne would've had their first kids when fourteen years old.

The Paynes originally were supposed to have triplets as their grand finale, and the reason why Alyssa poured those pills down the toilet is because I would've lost my tenuous grip on my sanity.

D3: What's your favorite character, storyline or moment from another Fundie Simblr?

This lives in my head rent-free. @shinyhappysims

Also, Miriam from @clarkes-and-god is literally out there stealing arrows from people's quivers and I'm here for it.

F1: When did you first start playing The Sims? Which game was it?

Back in 2004 when I was 14, I visited a friend in Germany, and she had Sims 2 on her computer and I was instantly, completely, insanely hooked. I bought Sims 2 and way too many expansions, then a few years later, World of Warcraft happened to me. I got back into playing Sims in 2016? 2017? Skipping Sims 3 completely, and here I am.

[anewnewcrest]

From Kathryn Graham's Simstagram

Introducing Audrey and Olivia Graham to the world. This wonderful season has made our family life so much richer, and we can't wait to see what the next season holds in store for us.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS SEASON

GRAHAM FAMILY TREE

[anewnewcrest]

Lincoln Evans, somewhere on SimChan...

LOCKED ONE DOWN! 💍❤️‍🔥

From Bailey McDaniel’s Prayer Journal

Something must be wrong with me. I'm engaged now, the happiest time of a woman's life, I've been chosen by a man, a good man, to become his wife, his helpmeet for life, and all I want to do is run. He took my by surprise when he proposed, I didn't expect it at all, and then I said yes, because what else was I supposed to do... and I can't back out now, can I? I can't break my word! I promised!

WHAT HAPPENED THIS SEASON

EVANS FAMILY TREE

[anewnewcrest]

B6 for the ask game?

B6: How do you pick names for your Sims?

It really depends. I'm actually not all that good at picking fitting names and name sets because I'm not a native English speaker and so a lot of the nuance and connotations of names escape me (for example, some names sounding more like they're from the UK, or the US, or the Southern US - to me, they all sound English!).

I generally try to go with something the parents would use, and I use baby name websites and sibling name generators and "names similar to X" Google searches to accomplish that. I also have a few lists of themed names ready, ranging from the perfectly sane (old fashioned name theme, think Arthur, Clara, Harvey) to the absolutely insane (gun name theme, Gunner, Colt, Remington, Glock, Winchester) that I hope to use at a future point in the story.

My only exception is when I completely irrationally hate the name, then the Sims kids don't get the name, either. I have a few characters who would absolutely name their kids a Tragedeigh, but I just cannot bring myself to do it. Everything else in their childhood and the rest of their lives might be shit, I can't give the poor guys and gals an absolutely horrible name, too.

[anewnewcrest]

Okay first of all love your simblr! Curious so A1,B10 AND E2 :)

Aw, thank you! <3

A1: Who is your favorite sim to write for? Your least favorite?

I think it's noticeable that I really like the Graham family a lot, but my absolute favorite is Priscilla Sawyer (née Johnson). She's so fucking extra, sneaky, manipulative, overbearing, will be a horrible mother and a horrible wife and I'd hate her in real life and also her children will need so much therapy, but I love writing her, and I love how much spirit she has (and I love seeing her in-laws suffer). And I have decided she'll get to live to her 90s for her curmudgeonly grandma era, so you'll see a lot of her!

The trophy for "least favorite" generally rotates along with the The Worst (TM) title for the fundie guys. Currently it's Lincoln because he's right there, and fuck him.

B10: What's your advice for keeping large households alive?

I'm probably the worst person to ask this because I don't really struggle with keeping them alive. I usually turn autonomy on when I'm not actively taking pictures, and then they generally take care of the worst stuff themselves. For everything else: Sister Moms.

E2: What's your "favorite" fundie family to keep up with?

Definitely the Duggars. They were the first fundie family I heard about when I first heard about fundies in... fall 2019 I think? I've watched all of their TV shows at least twice, and I got great enjoyment out of seeing Josh Duggar go to prison.

[anewnewcrest]

Ask away! If there's anything I like more than writing about Fundies, it's talking about writing about Fundies!

The Big Fundie Simblr Ask Game

I've noticed that our beloved Fundie Simblr community could use a little more action, so I've written up this (insanely long!) ask game. Just pick a letter and a number to play. I encourage you to send asks to your mutuals and non-mutuals alike!

A: Writing/Posting

Who is your favorite sim to write for? Your least favorite?

What has been your favorite storyline to write? Your least favorite?

If you could go back and change anything you've written, what would it be?

What part of your blog are you most proud of?

How long does it take you to draft the average post?

Where do you write?

Where do you get your inspiration?

Do you base characters off people you know personally?

Share some advice for those running a Fundie Simblr blog!

Share a screenshot you took that you love the look of.

Share a hint, spoiler or teaser for an upcoming post.

How far ahead do you plan? Do you have a full queue right now?

B: Gameplay

What packs do you use the most?

What mods do you use the most?

Who is your favorite CC creator for modest clothing?

Do you think you struggle with "same-face syndrome" when creating your sims? 🙃

Do you find yourself falling into trends with regards to the "type" of (fundie) sims you create? (for example: lots of guys in the military, lots of girls with red hair, et cetera)

How do you pick names for your sims?

If you have multiple households, which is the easiest/most enjoyable to play? How about the easiest/least enjoyable?

Do you keep your sims on a routine, or is it constant chaos?

Do you cheat needs often? (No judgment either way!)

What's your advice for keeping large households alive?

In actual gameplay, how fundie are your sims? (for example: do you let them kiss before marriage, even though in-story they don't do that until the wedding? Do your sims actually have the jobs they do in the story? Et cetera.)

When you're not playing fundie sims, what kind of sims do you play?

C: Character Questions

Feel free to answer these as yourself/the narrator, or as the characters themselves! And if you're the one sending the ask, make sure to specify the sims in question, unless you want to be surprised :)

Would [Sim] say they were happy, if asked? Are they happy?

Are [Sim 1] and [Sim 2] happy in their relationship?

What are [Sim]'s personal convictions on modesty/dating/children/whatever?

What would [Sim/Family] be like if they weren't fundie?

Has [Sim] ever doubted their faith? How did they "return to God"? (Or "come to God," if they're a convert!)

What does [Sim] love and hate about their family? (Parents, siblings, children, whatever!)

If [Sim] had another career path, what would they do?

Share a few random facts about [Sim/Family] that may not come up in the story!

How would others describe [Sim]? (Feel free to specify who those "others" are!)

How would [Sim] describe themself?

Is [Sim/Family] well regarded at their church? Where do they fall in the community hierarchy?

How is [Sim/Family] doing, financially speaking? Are they content, or do they desire more?

What's the most scandalous/sinful thing [Sim] has done? Would they admit to it, if asked?

D: Community

Choose one Fundie Simblr blog that you follow, tag them, and say something nice about them or their story!

Choose a post from a Fundie Simblr blog that you enjoy, and reblog it with a comment in the tags!

What's your favorite character, storyline or moment from another Fundie Simblr?

What's something you'd love to see from the Fundie Simblr community?

Are there any non-fundie Simblr blogs that you enjoy? Feel free to recommend some!

Have you ever been inspired by another Simblr's writing? How did it go?

E: Fundie Snark

When did you first get into fundie snarking, and how?

Which is your "favorite" fundie family to keep up with, if you pay attention to real-life fundies?

What's your favorite batshit fundie moment?

Which poor fundie child are you rooting for the most?

Did you ever watch 19KAC/Counting On/Bringing Up Bates/etc?

F: About You

When did you first start playing The Sims? Which game was it?

What's one good thing that's happened to you this week?

Share a fun fact about yourself!

Have you told in-person friends or family about your fundie sims?

If you had to describe yourself with an aspiration + traits, what would they be?

If you had to choose a Sims pack that represents your personality, which one would it be?