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Shines light on adoption

When Gracie Brock was named the Warren County Fair’s Fairest of the Fair for 2023, she knew the opportunity would help her spread the word about a cause close to her heart- adoption.

Now, the Warren County High School graduate has authored a children’s book to help children that might be experiencing some of the same thoughts and emotions that she did have a better understanding and acceptance of their situation.

“My little brother John and I are adopted and so I have always wanted to come up with a way to help other kids that have been adopted as well,” Brock said.

Titled “Jesus Loves Adoption” the book uses colorful pictures as well as Bible verses to help tell a story of comfort and understanding.

“I have been working on it since September, so it took a while, but it finally got published about a few weeks ago,” she said.

Brock said she has always been a creative person at heart, and realized she could create the entire book, including the illustrations and layout, on her iPad.

While Brock can personally relate to the story told in her book, she said it is not “her story.”

“It is about how adoption occurs because of different circumstances but that you are not alone and there are other kids experiencing the same thing,” she said. “That it is a blessing, and that God is watching after these kids and He is with them.”

Each illustration in the book is a reimagined image of one of her family members.

Gracie’s mother Michelle Brock said she and her family are proud of what Brock has been able to accomplish.

“I definitely knew she had it in her, but I guess I was kind of surprised that she would choose to write, of anything, but she has always had a knack for it and her illustrating the pictures has added that extra special touch to it,” Michelle Brock said.

Brock said her best advice for children who might be uncertain or struggling with how they feel after being told they are adopted is to remember that it is okay to feel different emotions.

“I would say that it will get easier and to understand that God has a plan for you,” she said. “The plan might seem confusing, frustrating, it might not make sense, but one day it will, and you will understand that ultimately it happened for the better.”

All proceeds from Brock’s book sales will go to the nonprofit Love One International, which focuses on bringing life-saving medical care and more to Ugandan children and their families.

“Jesus Loves Adoption” by Gracie Brock can currently be purchased online on Amazon.