Jana Duggar has become an increasingly popular member of the Duggar family as fans wonder about the eldest daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle.
Jana Marie Duggar is 24, and has a twin, John-David Duggar. Though their older brother Josh and younger sister Jill are married, and their younger sister Jessa is engaged, both Jana and John-David are currently single.
The twins were born on January 12, 1990.
Some facts about Jana are listed on the family’s official website, such as her favorite Bible verse (Proverbs 3:5-7); favorite Bible characters (Esther and Job); and favorite song (To God Be The Glory).
Also listed are her favorite episode of the family’s show 19 Kids and Counting (Duggar’s Explore Central America); her “jurisdictions,” or work within the household (kitchen, meal preparations); work outside the household (Tontitown Fire Department Volunteer First Responder); and favorite food (Italian).
Jana says that her favorite past time is spending time with her family and playing instruments such as the violin, piano, and harp.
Her future plans are to be a wife and mother.
Michelle said in a blog post last year discussing Jana and Jill pursuing midwifery that Jana “from the beginning has just loved children.
“And being the first-born daughter in our family you would think as she becomes an adult she probably has had her fill with children around all the time -- that she'd probably want to do something with adults,” she said. “But it is so interesting to see that any time she has an opportunity to do something in the community it always has to do with children. She wants to go to the children’s home. She wants to help mamas deliver babies. It’s just all about kids.”
Michelle also revealed that Jana has changed a lot over the years.
“I see Jana now and I remember her personality when she was young. I would have never have thought that she would have gone the direction she did. She was very energetic as a little girl, but she’s very reserved and quiet as an adult,” Michelle said. “ But boy, when she jumps into a crisis situation, she’s in charge, and she’s capable. I just encourage all of them. I tell them there’s absolutely nothing that they cannot do if God has called them to do it; he will equip you with what you need and you will be capable.”
Jana herself said in a blog post--it seems to be her only post, ever--that she had been spending a lot of time working under a local midwife with Jill.
“I am really enjoying learning about natural birth, and working as a midwife assistant and doula. Even though this may not be something that I do for the rest of my life, I feel so blessed to be able to learn and grow in this area, and I plan on using the skills that I’ve developed through these experiences to help my family and friends now and in the future,” she said.
“Jill and I feel like the training we are receiving, although our paths are both a little bit different, will serve us in the future on the mission field. Each of us would like to use our skills as a way to share the hope of Jesus in foreign countries, but for right now, the country we’ve been called to serve in is our own. We enjoy loving on our moms, babies, and families, and feel privileged to care for them.”
Michelle described in a different post that Jana “had enough energy” for both her and John-David when they were younger.
“Jana took off walking at eight months. John David waited until the average age of twelve months like the rest of my kids. John was a bigger baby when he was born; Jana was smaller, so I think she was more agile and able to get around. Because Jana was always getting into things, of course, she was always having to be trained and corrected a little more because I'd say, ”No no, you don’t climb up on that shelf because you could fall and hurt yourself,” she said.
“John would watch and probably think, ‘I’m not going near that!’ Even to this day, I think Jana will take more chances. She doesn’t mind making a mistake on something because she can always go back and fix it really quickly, and still get done in the same amount of time.”
Fans are also wondering about Jana’s relationship status, but it appears that she is currently not courting, engaged, or getting married. There are some rumors that Jana is in a courtship but has chosen to keep it private because of the intense publicity that Jessa and Jill have gotten, but those rumors are unverified.
It also seems that she’s not preparing to go to college--all the girls in the Duggar brood typically do not go on to higher education, instead becoming full-time mothers. Michelle said a while ago that Jill had been checking into going to college for nursing, but Jill became pregnant with her and Derick Dillard’s first child just weeks after they got married.
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Jim Bob Duggar Gives Controversial Explanation as to Why Duggar Family Doesn’t Use Birth Control
