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Austin Martyn Forsyth (born December 11, 1993) is the second child and only son of Terry Forsyth and Roxanne Forsyth.

He is the brother of Meagan Ballinger. He is the half-brother of Brandon Forsyth and Rachael Tunstill.

He is the husband of Joy-Anna Forsyth and the father of their children, Gideon, Evelyn and Gunner.

Early life[]

Austin-Baby

Austin as a toddler

Austin Martyn Forsyth was born on December 11, 1993, in Bowie County, Texas, to Terry Forsyth and Roxanne Forsyth. He was the couple's second and final child.

Along with his sister, Austin was homeschooled growing up.

When he was a toddler, his parents moved their family from Texas to Arkansas to open Fort Rock Family Camp. Growing up, Austin and Meagan often helped their parents out around the camp.

As children and teens, Austin and his sister were not allowed to close their bedroom doors, except to change clothes.

Growing up, Austin played baseball and the fiddle.

In 2010, Austin participated in Journey to the Heart, a Christian retreat for teens and young adults to spend time focused on God.

Austin is described as athletic, outgoing, and caring. He enjoys hunting, shooting, farming, playing sports, four-wheeling, and camping.

Personal life[]

JoyAustin-Courting

Courting

Courtship[]

On November 15, 2016, Austin announced that he was in a courtship with long-time friend Joy-Anna Duggar. The couple said that they had been friends for almost fifteen years, although Joy-Anna later said that she didn't remember him as a child. The Duggar family and the Forsyth family met when the Forsyths attended the Duggars' church in Arkansas. Austin and Joy-Anna met when he was 8 years old and she was 4 years old. Joy-Anna first developed a crush on Austin when she was 14 and he was 18, after Austin shared his testimony with her family when he was over at their house. They first started talking in 2015. Austin took Joy-Anna out to a special spot at Pedestal Rocks in the Ozark National Forest in Sand Gap, Arkansas to ask her to court him, and she enthusiastically said "yes". Their courtship proposal was featured on the Counting On episode "A Honeymoon & a Courtship".

JoyAustin-Engaged

Engaged

Engagement[]

On March 3, 2017, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that they were engaged. The couple got engaged on March 2, 2017, in the Ozark National Forest at Fort Rock Family Camp in Combs, Arkansas. Austin took Joy-Anna, along with her younger sisters Johannah and Jennifer, horseback riding, before leading her to a cliffside where he proposed to her. He then took her to a clearing where he and his friend, Aaron Patton, had set up a table to eat a special meal that he had prepared for them. Joy-Anna said that she didn't expect a proposal at that moment because she didn't see any TV cameras there to film, but they were hiding in nearby trees and bushes to help make the moment more special. Their engagement was featured on the Counting On episode "Joy Gets Engaged".

JoyAustin-Married

Just married

Marriage[]

On May 26, 2017, Austin married Joy-Anna Duggar at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas. The wedding had around 1,000 guests. The couple shared their first kiss at the altar. The wedding was officiated by Paul Caldwell. Austin's best man was his brother-in-law Bobby. His groomsmen were his half-brother Brandon, his half-brother-in-law Nick, Joy's brother John-David, his grandfather Edwin Forsyth, and his friends Nathan Paine, Aaron Patton, Andrew Patton, Peter Query, Logan Smith, Josiah Stangl, and Jacob Wilson. The ring bearer is unknown. Joy's matron of honor was her sister Jill. Her bridesmaids were her sisters Jana, Jessa, Jinger, Johannah, and Jennifer, her sister-in-law Anna, Austin's sister Meagan, and her friends Carlin Bates, Kendra Caldwell, Sierra Dominguez, and Heidi Query. The flower girl was Austin's half-niece Allove. Their wedding was featured on the Counting On episodes "Joy's Wedding" and "Joy and Austin Tie the Knot".

For their honeymoon, Austin and Joy-Anna went to Switzerland, starting in Geneva and later traveling to Interlaken and Zermatt. "We chose Switzerland because we knew that it was very beautiful," Joy-Anna explained in an interview. "We had seen a lot of pictures and Austin has really wanted to come here for a while." Their honeymoon included skiing, navigating public transit, yodeling, eating fondue, and taking a class where they learned to make chocolate. Their honeymoon was featured on the Counting On episode "In Love in Switzerland". They then spent time in Israel on a mission trip before returning back to Arkansas.

Fatherhood[]

JoyAustin-Gideon

Baby Gideon

On August 30, 2017, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that they were expecting their first child, due 2018. The due date was later revealed to be February 22, 2018. On February 26, 2018, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that their son, Gideon Martyn, was born at 3:39 p.m. on February 23, 2018, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He weighed 10 pounds and 3 ounces, and was 22 inches long. His birth was featured on the Counting On episodes "Joy Gives Birth" and "A Birth-day and a Birthday".

JoyAustin-Miscarriage

Miscarriage

On May 1, 2019, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that they were expecting what would have been their second child, due November 9, 2019. On June 26, 2019, at their 20-week scan, they learned that their baby no longer had a heartbeat and that they had suffered a miscarriage. Their child was a girl and they chose to name her Annabell Elise Forsyth. Annabell means "God has favored me", and Elise means "God satisfies". On July 1, 2019, Joy-Anna delivered Annabell at Willow Creek Women's Hospital in Johnson, Arkansas, and they later buried her on Austin's family's property at Fort Rock Family Camp, in a quiet, private part of the woods. They announced their pregnancy on the Counting On episode "Baby Number Two ... but Who?". They announced their miscarriage on the Counting On episode "La La Land".

JoyAustin-Evelyn

Baby Evelyn

On March 18, 2020, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that they were expecting their second child, a girl, due August 19, 2020. On August 24, 2020, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that their daughter was born at 2:12 p.m. on August 21, 2020, at Willow Creek Women's Hospital in Johnson, Arkansas. She weighed 8 pounds and 5.4 ounces, and was 19 ½ inches long. On August 27, 2020, they revealed her name to be Evelyn Mae. Her birth was featured on their YouTube channel.

On October 5, 2022, Austin and Joy-Anna announced that they are expecting their third child, due May 23, 2023. On November 18, 2022, they revealed that they are expecting a boy. On December 24, 2022, Joy-Anna revealed that they are giving their son the name James as either his first name or middle name. They announced his birth on May 19, 2023, but did not reveal his name or date of birth. On May 21, 2023, they announced that their son, Gunner James, was born on May 17, 2023, weighing 8 lbs, 14 oz.

Health[]

During a 'Q&A' on Instagram, Joy-Anna revealed that both she and Austin had tested positive for COVID-19 while she was pregnant with Evelyn. They experienced body aches, fever, and lost their sense of smell and taste. Both had a quick recovery.

Austin has asthma.

Austin has environmental allergies.

In August 2023, Austin had a metal shaving go in his eye.

Career[]

Family Camp[]

Austin often works at his family's business, Fort Rock Family Camp in Combs, Arkansas.

Construction[]

Austin started doing construction work at a young age, and was given the ultimatum by his father that he had to buy and flip five houses before he could get married. He has continued to work flipping and selling houses since getting married.

Austin is a Commercial Contractor and works building new homes.

Excavation[]

Austin owns and operates an excavation company in Arkansas.

EMT[]

Austin currently holds an EMT license. He started working as an EMT in 2014.

Disaster relief[]

Austin volunteers for MEDIC Corps, helping people around the world hit by natural disasters. He works alongside some of his in-laws and some of the Bates brothers.

Firefighter[]

Since 2012, Austin has been a Volunteer Firefighter at the Saint Paul Volunteer Fire Department in Saint Paul, Arkansas.

Pilot[]

On April 4, 2020, Austin received his Private Pilot's license.

Television[]

On June 6, 2009, Country Music Television aired an episode of the reality TV show World's Strictest Parents featuring Austin's family, entitled "Forsyth Family". In the episode, two "unruly" teenagers, 15-year-old Arielle and 17-year-old Tyler, were sent to live with the Forsyth family for a week to help them "straighten up". In the episode, the two teenagers were expected to work alongside Austin and Meagan in a variety of tasks, including yardwork and household chores. They were also expected to go to White River Baptist Church with the family, an issue that Tyler argued strongly against on the grounds that he was Jewish. Both teens spoke of the Sunday School class they were forced to attend, stating that they were taught that dating leads to divorce.

Wedding involvement[]

Austin was a groomsman at his sister Meagan's wedding to Bobby Ballinger on November 14, 2015.

He was a groomsman at his brother-in-law Josiah's wedding to Lauren Swanson on June 30, 2018.

He was a groomsman at his brother-in-law John-David's wedding to Abbie Burnett on November 3, 2018.

He was a groomsman at his family friend Lemuel Reber's wedding to Hannah Bunch on February 6, 2021.

He was a groomsman at his brother-in-law Justin's wedding to Claire Spivey on February 26, 2021.

He was a groomsman at his brother-in-law Jedidiah's wedding to Katelyn Nakatsu on April 3, 2021.

He was an usher at his family friend Trace Bates's wedding to Lydia Romeike on October 1, 2022.

Gallery[]

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