This last weekend we celebrated Jess turning 21.  So today I want to honour my daughter Jessica.

Jessica is a joyful delight.  She warms my heart – she is my daughter, she is my friend.

She loves God and as she has dug into his word she has grown in wisdom and insight.  She questions things, she seeks answers, she is honest.  She thinks deeply about things and can articulate the things she knows.

She is an encourager – both with words and actions.  I love how she gets along side of her siblings to intentionally encourage them in whatever they are doing.  She purposefully makes time to notice things in their life – and she does this with her friends as well.

She is fun – she likes to laugh, to giggle, and to simply smile at the little things of life.
She gives herself to people – young, old and in between.  She knows the importance of relationships in the midst of getting things done.  And she does get things done!

She is skilled – oh where to start with her skills…I won’t actually list them here, because it isn’t so much about the skills themselves, but the determination and purpose she has shown as she has learnt and uses those skills.
She is a person of good character – that is she responds to people and circumstances in a way that is gracious, respectful, helpful, and consistent with her values.

So here are some photos highlighting Jess growing up:

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  Jessica comes home from the hospital

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  Jessica's dedication wearing the same gown I wore when I was christened.

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  Jessica always giggled.

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  Jess and Josh have always enjoyed each other's friendship.

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  Welcome to Naomi (Nomi is in Joshua's lap - the other baby is a friend who grew up like a cousin)

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  Jessica loves all things girly and all things adventurous too.

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  Welcome to baby Daniel

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  Jessica has been very diligent with learning the piano.

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  Jessica used to enjoy writing stories - these days she blogs.

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  Jessica at 10.

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  As Jessica starts to own her own relationship with Jesus she decides to be baptised.

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  When Jess was little she was heard saying: I can't wait till I learn to iron!

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  Jess has a very infectious smile.

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  An unposed moment: like-mother-like daughter

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  Jess has always enjoyed discovering new technology and mastering how they are used in her life.

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  siblings - friends

Jessica was homeschooled – she had a broad highschool experience that focused on her interests.  Since she graduated she has joined our family trip overseas, travelled to Uganda herself to support family friends who were missionaries over there, studied Professional Organising, and is currently studying Cert 4 in Business as a trainee with a local business.  She recently won Trainee of the Year Award.  She has volunteered with Mainly Music all through her highschool years, and now volunteers with running a Girls Bible Study, and at the local Picture Gardens (outdoor movie theatre).  She plays the piano and has recently joined the church music team.  She runs, swims and enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee and Touch Rugby.  She is working towards her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.  In her free time she likes to make cards, digital scrapbook, blog, read and catch up with her girlfriends.  She has a love-hate relationship with social media, always challenged to live her life in the moment.

I love you Jessica – as I said you are a delight to my heart!