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“Duck Dynasty” couple Jep and Jessica Robertson talked about their own “life-changing” experience with adoption and the power of adopting a child in their new book “Dear Valor” from Brave Books.
The Robertsons — best known for their family’s hit reality TV series “Duck Dynasty” and its spin-offs — spoke with The Daily Wire on Wednesday about their personal adoption experience with their 8-year-old son, Gus, and writing their new book, which teaches families about the importance of adoption, acceptance, and unconditional love.
The couple — who reside in West Monroe, Louisiana, with their five children — said “Dear Valor” is a “sweet adoption story about Valor the tiger who was adopted by two lion parents.”
“We wanted to do this because we have an adopted son [Gus] who we adopted when he was three days old,” Jessica told The Daily Wire. “And there are challenges that we’ve faced with adoption and him being a black child adopted by a white family.”
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She said the book wasn’t based on their family but that “tidbits” come from their own experience, such as their son noticing how he looks “different” than them. She pointed out how just like in the book, Valor “asked questions about looking different than his lion parents.”
Jessica said they wanted to write the book “so that other children can empathize and sympathize with what adopted kids go through.”
“And what adopted families go through and they can see ‘oh unconditional love for a family looks different sometimes,” she added.
Jep said the main phrase in the book, “You are strong, you are loved, you are ours,” resonates with them.
“We just think that’s a beautiful correlation to how God feels about us,” as he pointed out that adoption isn’t easy, but they feel so blessed for their Gus.
“We are so excited to share ‘Dear Valor’ with families everywhere,” the Robertsons said in a press release. “Our journey with Gus has been incredibly humbling for us and our other children, and we hope this book will inspire and educate others about the beauty and importance of opening your home and family to a child in need.”
When asked about how adoption has been humbling for them and their family, Jep said it has been “amazing” seeing everything that’s happened because they always look at things from a “spiritual standpoint.”
“It has been such an amazing, humbling experience, to see this beautiful creation that God created and we get to be his mommy and daddy here on earth,” Jessica added about their son.
The Robertsons are also involved with All God’s Children International ministry, which opens up the door to sponsoring and adopting kids all across the world.
Jep said he got involved in the ministry well before Gus came into their lives, pointing out that his wife had spoken often about wanting to adopt. However, he said it was when he went on a “life-changing” mission with his church to the Dominican Republic to build an orphanage and met the sweet kids that he told his wife he was ready to adopt.
“Adopting Gus has changed my way of living, so amazing,” Jep added.
“Dear Valor” hit the shelves just before “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,” a movie about the power of adoption, is released in theaters on July 4. Angel Studios partnered with DailyWire+ for the release of “Sound of Hope,” which is based on the inspiring true story of Donna and Reverend Martin, who, along with 22 families from their rural black church in the small East Texas town of Possum Trot, adopt 77 of the most difficult to place kids in the foster system.
“Dear Valor” is part of Brave Books’ Freedom Island Series and comes from the publishing house dedicated to providing books for kids that teach important life lessons rooted in traditional biblical and American Values.
For more information about the book and Robertson’s story go to bravebooks.com.
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