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Ruby Joy: Finding Gems in Darkness
Doctors believed that Ruby Joy would only survive seven days, but as each day passed, her parents chose to believe that Ruby had a very full life ahead of her. In spite of the cruel onslaught of sickness, Ruby s invincible spirit gave her parents courage to let go of their own expectations and opened their eyes to see beauty in the midst of suffering. Told through her mother s perspective, Ruby Joy is both a remarkable retelling of Ruby s life, as well as an opportunity to mine the darkness of suffering for gems. This true story will encourage those who are navigating their own difficult journeys, and inspire all to a more meaningful life through the brave experience of this one little girl. Some things only form in darkness; among them are gems.
- GenresBiography
328 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2018
5 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Katie Luse
9 books2 followersKatie Luse is an author, speaker, and creative. She and her husband Mitch direct a nonprofit, ConnectUp, that serves individuals through prayer ministry. Katie is ordained through the Apostolic Network of Global Awakening, and is passionate about helping people connect with God.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 5, 2019
My favorite book thus far in 2019 readings. This was a recommendation from a librarian whom I like quite a lot! We talked of our faith, and she highly recommended this incredible book. I am so glad that I followed her encouragement to read this.
Ruby came into the world with tremendous birth defects, given seven days to live, through her parents faith in the Lord and pure love for Ruby, they nursed her throughout incredible illness. No muscle coordination meant little Ruby would never walk, or hold her head up.
Told she was blind, she did indeed have vision problems, and while vision was compromised, an operation was performed to remove the lens in her eyes. Despite experts noting she would never see, her parents learned she could follow Christmas lights and became highly aware of them. Little Ruby could indeed track objects.
Told she was deaf, her parents proved she could indeed hear. Tube feeding was the only feeding she ever knew. The patience exhibited by her parents was incredible, as every few hours they tried to feed her as she consistently had terrible reflux and vomited every time they she was tube feed. As with any baby, the ability to thrive is imperative. While Ruby never thrived, she certainly gave everything she could to overcome the many compromises she was born with.
Ruby and her parents, with the Lord's helped "Ruby find a bright light in a dark space" (as quoted by the author/Ruby's mother!)
Through Ruby, her parents faith grew stronger. No doubt, it was exceeding difficult for the parents to watch a 4.5 teeny baby fight with all her ability to continue to live.
This is a remarkable story! If you are interested in obtaining a copy, you won't find this book in Barnes and Noble or other book stores, but I did get a copy from Amazon.com.
Originally given seven days to live, Ruby's spirit and the love and faith of her parents, she lived three years.
Highly recommended. This is a five-star read!
Ruby came into the world with tremendous birth defects, given seven days to live, through her parents faith in the Lord and pure love for Ruby, they nursed her throughout incredible illness. No muscle coordination meant little Ruby would never walk, or hold her head up.
Told she was blind, she did indeed have vision problems, and while vision was compromised, an operation was performed to remove the lens in her eyes. Despite experts noting she would never see, her parents learned she could follow Christmas lights and became highly aware of them. Little Ruby could indeed track objects.
Told she was deaf, her parents proved she could indeed hear. Tube feeding was the only feeding she ever knew. The patience exhibited by her parents was incredible, as every few hours they tried to feed her as she consistently had terrible reflux and vomited every time they she was tube feed. As with any baby, the ability to thrive is imperative. While Ruby never thrived, she certainly gave everything she could to overcome the many compromises she was born with.
Ruby and her parents, with the Lord's helped "Ruby find a bright light in a dark space" (as quoted by the author/Ruby's mother!)
Through Ruby, her parents faith grew stronger. No doubt, it was exceeding difficult for the parents to watch a 4.5 teeny baby fight with all her ability to continue to live.
This is a remarkable story! If you are interested in obtaining a copy, you won't find this book in Barnes and Noble or other book stores, but I did get a copy from Amazon.com.
Originally given seven days to live, Ruby's spirit and the love and faith of her parents, she lived three years.
Highly recommended. This is a five-star read!
January 10, 2025
What a journey into the development of gems! The love and compassion of God is interwoven throughout this book! Ruby Joy captivated my heart and brought healing and hope! Mitch and Katie Luse, thank you for sharing this journey of love and healing with us all!
April 23, 2025
Treasures in hard places
What Katie and Mitch experienced was devastating, but because of their deep faith in the goodness and faithfulness of God they collected treasures, gems. Beautifully written, raw and deep, hopful.
What Katie and Mitch experienced was devastating, but because of their deep faith in the goodness and faithfulness of God they collected treasures, gems. Beautifully written, raw and deep, hopful.
September 21, 2018
Encouragement for the struggles of life
June 15, 2019
A powerful story of how to find joy in darkness, a beautiful and real story on the struggles of suffering.
July 1, 2021
Riveting, amazing, terrify, hard to put into words the impact of this book. I’m better for having know Ruby Joy and her remarkable parents.
December 30, 2021
Katie's telling of Ruby Joy's story is life-giving. Joyful, sad, heart-wrenching, and spirit-growing, this memoir touched me in a way few books have. I have seen trauma in my life - none quite like Katie and Mitch weathered - but I am purposed to come out rich, as Katie shares. If I'm going through this valley, surviving in this pit, I'm going to mine every gem of goodness and grace that I can on my way out. This book has birthed some deep soul-searching within, and it will sit with me for days to come, I know. In this pain, Life is given, and I'm forever grateful to Katie for her compassionate gift to us all in sharing Ruby's story.
May 28, 2019
Victory in the midst of suffering
It was so inspiring to read this story of never giving up even in the midst of suffering. Always believing that God is good. Instead of being victims, they were victorious!
It was so inspiring to read this story of never giving up even in the midst of suffering. Always believing that God is good. Instead of being victims, they were victorious!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews