"Not all women that come to Rubies graduates but know that during the time they encounter Jesus, a seed is planted or watered.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. This was the first time I heard God speak. I was on the front porch at rubies looking for a way to leave. Finding a semi driver to take me to get high and take me home. As I was about to leave I heard a small still voice and felt numb head to toe as God whispered loudly. To be still. I struggled with staying there and I was always reminded to be still. But not just still my nerves and my anxiety but still my soul. A wise woman told me to stop rocking. Stop shaking my legs. Take a deep breath and just be still. I am sober. I am forgiven. I am worthy. I still struggle at times but I always remember that still small voice that changed my life on rubies front porch. That became my sanctuary, my church, and my comfort place. Rubies changed my life. and I thank God for the wisdom and friends I found along the way."
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Tabitha M. Rider
"Rubies…. It taught me how to love myself. It taught me that it’s ok to let others love me. I learned I was worthy. Worthy of love, worthy of life, and worthy of sobriety. Today I have my higher power that I call God. Rubies taught me He didn’t turn His back on me. I turned my back on Him. I love myself today. I love others today. I am free today.
Before coming into Rubies, I had overdosed multiple times. Some on purpose and others by accident. It got to a point where I just didn’t want to live anymore. I was done. I could only “face” my demons when high. Really I just didn’t want to feel. I didn’t want to think. I wanted to be numb and stay numb. I wanted an escape. Everything else was the problem. There was no way I could be my own problem. When I got to Rubies I was 100% broken. But that’s what I needed. Rubies let me feel my emotions while I was around others that would build me up. I made friends some of who I still talk today. I learned more about God. I built a strong relationship with God. I will forever be grateful for Rubies and the lifelong friendships I made. Candace, Grace, and Luella have been here for me through thick and thin and I’m happy I know I can always reach out to them when I am struggling! It’s all because of Rubies and God.
Psalm 23: though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I should fear no evil!- my life verse."
Patty Burkey
“I came to Rubies September 20, 2017. Rubies was an answered prayer, as I was desperately searching for a life change. I dealt with daily depression that came with drinking, prescription pills, and smoking marijuana. I lost my dad in December 2011 from a car/buggy accident and that is where I found myself downward spiraling in my life quickly. I hated life after that and for six years prayed for God to take me. I ended up in multiple relationships trying to fill that void with it ending in mental abuse. Along came the hate, anger, and anything that kept me drinking or high. I was happy with anything that kept me numb and distracted me from the darkness I was walking through. I isolated myself from family, friends, and burned many bridges along the way trying to get away. Blaming everyone else including God for the life I had and everything I dealt with not realizing I was the problem. During my stay at Rubies, I learned who God really is, who I am in Christ, finding my worth, and getting rid of myself. A complete life changes. Just as I had prayed for. To this day I am drug and alcohol free and learned how to fight against not only demonic spirits that come my way, but I experienced freedom like I have never experienced before. I am saved, a child of God, and the Lord is my life partner, my best friend, my savior, my father that will never leave me nor forsake me. I am grateful for Rubies, Candace the director and founder, all the women and relationships I gained along the way because of Rubies.”
Jolene Miller - Graduate, Secretary, Board Member of Rubies
"Rubies has been a huge blessing in my life not only did Rubies give me shelter when I need it the most, it has allowed me top open up, speak up, and be myself. I also have become closer to God in many ways. I got to meet a loving & caring woman named Candace who really cares about the well being of the women and children that come to Rubies. I have been able to meet so many kind ladies who have showed me that I can do things I have not done in a long time such as smile and laugh. Celebrate holidays and my birthday. God does have a purpose for me. He truly loves me, I am His daughter and will continue to enjoy this journey! I know are all things are possible with him."
Marilyn Valez
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"Rubies has showed me how to find out who I truly am. By finding myself in God and having that true unconditional love. Knowing to learn what boundaries are with people and to say no. That I can not fix everyone. I can only fix myself. I have learned to love myself, trust myself and trust God. I am worth it and I am His daughter. I have learned to let the wall down. Being here has taught me who I was, and I wanted to know the real me. Rubies was a blessing I didn’t know I needed."
Melissa West
"Rubies has helped my spiritual pathway. I was so lost and with the help of the unconditional love from Candace and Rubies, I learned to unconditionally love myself. Learned I was worth it to find a better way in life. And because if Candace's help and her endless prayers for me, I am now almost 3 years clean. Have gained everything I never thought I'd have. Including winning an adoption and termination of parental rights that was filed against me. I now have my children in my life and even have court ordered weekends unsupervised. 10 years after losing custody of them and never being able to hardly see them. THEY say never say never. But after finding myself and my worth and living the best life today, I can honestly say going back to the devils ways will never be an option for me again. Candace has helped me learn to deal with my problems without using."
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Crystal Mitchell
"Nothingness. Nothing. No thing.
That's where it began. All I had left. Bottom less pit. Nothing to hold on to. No me to hold on to. How did I get here?
Rehab 3 times. R.U. for 1 year. I.O.P. 5 years worth. I lost it all while gaining a three year prison term.
A two time war veteran to a loser, with a prison term hanging over my head.
My son deserved better, hell I deserved better.
Meds for everything. Depression, anxiety, nightmares, voices, hurt, pain, shame, guilt, chains, bondages, fear, then came loss of my will to live. Tears and snot streamed down my face when I called out to God. Then to my P.O. who said calmly to me Rubies House. It's time. I couldn't get a single person so I called a friend to drive me and my car to Rubies. Had no license, what a waste of a sad life. There was no fight left in me. It didn't work with me in control. I crawled up the 16 steps to Rubies House. Shell of a person, it was where my Creator met me. I fought Him like crazy. I was so used to fighting by myself, He took me right where I was ugly, broken, ashamed, speechless, with everything I was capable of. Even me. He did all the work. the only thing I did was stand still to see the salvation of my Lord. He set me on top of mountains He moved for me, just to see him moving in my life. Miracle after miracle invaded my life. In return, all He wanted was my love, trust, faith, and a little more hope out of me. Because of my faith and trust, he gifted me with grace and mercy. Christ the Hope of Glory in me. Me! I get gifts from Him now He grants me! Yes me! All the desires this little heart wishes and prays for. Yep I said it. I ask, I pray, then I receive everything. What in the world? How in the world could I have so much of this good stuff? Because I'm a child of God! He promised as long as I have faith, hope, love, and trust for Him. Only then, He gives me all my riches in Christ! Hands down the greatest fight of my life & I didn't fight my God fought for me! I am WORTHY. We are WORTHY. Because He is WORTHY of all of the glory! Thank you God, in Jesus' name!"
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Danielle Breaux
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“Have you ever been so lost and broken, that you literally tried completely destroying yourself? Well I have. For 15 plus years I used heroin, prostitution, men, money and chaos to distract my mind and heart from feeling the emotional, mental, and physical pain I experienced as a child. I had so many negative feelings going on within myself and knew no way to overcome them. These feelings made me think I was worthless, unloveable and I was the problem. I truly hated myself and didn’t want to live. I tried rehab, meetings, counseling, jail, prison, and nothing I did on my own helped me to stop dwelling in the negative feelings about my life, and myself. I was drowning in self pity. I have always heard about Jesus my entire life but never wanted any part in getting to know Him. I blamed Him for all my life, I felt like He allowed all these things to happen to me and with that mindset I fell deeper into complete darkness. In March of 2021, I landed myself in prison on a 28 month sentence, completely hating myself and thinking of taking my own life. I finally came to the end of myself and said Jenni you’ve tried everything but Jesus, give Him a try and see what happens. Jesus was the best choice I've ever made. He changed my mindset and my hearts desires. Things I used to dwell on aren’t a big deal anymore. I began seeking Him and getting to know Him on a personal level and learned my choices broke His heart because I am His child and He had different plans for me. I began loving myself because He showed me the woman He created me to be. Jesus restored my hope and changed me from the inside. I knew I need Jesus for the rest of my life. Once I was being released a friend gave me Candace’s number, I contacted her and after the first phone call I knew Rubies was where I was supposed to be. Candace has taught me how to seek God and the holy spirit in all things. I have a family who encourages me, supports me, and loves me. Rubies has taught me how to live sober and to make purpose from my pain. Rubies has been a house of healing, learning, love, prayer, and a life change for me. For the first time in my life I am confident, brave, strong, and know my worth. Rubies is a safe house for me.”
Jennifer Brantley
