Sponsor Spotlight - Nevada Mining Association

As a mining engineer, I am blessed to have a career in a state like Nevada and living in the capital of Nevada’s gold belt, ELKO! Nevada has a long history as a leading mineral-producing state. Since the gold and silver rush in the 1850s, which inspired Nevada's statehood in 1864, to the present, Nevada has been a hotbed for mineral and metal mining. There’s great importance to the mining industry for the Silver State’s economic and social infrastructure and it continues to produce the necessary minerals on which our society depends. Nevada is one of the special geologic places on the globe where wide arrays of minerals are prevalent, such as gold, silver, copper, barite, molybdenum, clay, silica, lithium, as well as the state’s abundance of geothermal heat which is mined for energy. More than 11,000 people are directly employed by the Nevada mining industry. The Nevada Mining Association has existed for more than 100 years - first established in 1912 as the Nevada Mine Operators Association and changed to the Nevada Mining Association in 1952. NvMA is able to extract the common needs of its many disparate member companies and speaks with one voice for the gold miners in Elko, the geothermal well drillers in the rural valleys, the parts distributors in Las Vegas, the geological engineers in Reno and the 60,000 other Nevadans who rely everyday on this vital industry.

Nevada Mining Association, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Western Folklife Center

The Western Folklife Center uses story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world. Their exhibitions, educational programs, national radio and television programs, research and preservation projects, and their premier event, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, explore and give voice to traditional and dynamic cultures of the American West. Located in the historic Pioneer Building in downtown Elko, the Folklife Center is both a local and a regional nonprofit cultural center with an exhibition gallery, 300-seat theater, 20-seat black box theater, historic saloon and gift shop.

Founded in 1980, it is governed by a Board of Trustees along with a National Advisory Council made up of leaders in Western cultural life. In addition to its full- and part-time staff, a cadre of members, stakeholders and volunteers help the Folklife Center succeed in its mission. This year, I had an amazing time serving as a volunteer and attending the Cowboy Poetry Gathering events and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. The 34th Gathering will be January 29-February 3, 2018. This year's Recruitment Cocktail Hour & Social will be on Wednesday, December 6 at 6pm at the Folklife Center.

Western Folklife Center, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Coffee Mug Elko

The Coffee Mug Family Restaurant has proudly served the city of Elko for 30 years. Currently managed by Jeff Dalling, The Coffee Mug was founded by his grandparents, Charles and Shirley Smith, on January 1st, 1987. Located on 576 Commercial Street, Dalling’s grandparents served Elko for many years and gained the respect, trust and love of the community. After voting in last year’s general elections, the Coffee Mug was where I chose to have breakfast with a friend to celebrate America. It’s a great place to serve one, few folks, or large groups.

As someone who tends to get anemic, eating foods high in iron is important to me and I love liver. My mom does a great job at preparing liver and the only other place I’ve been impressed with their liver meal is at the Coffee Mug. One of my favorite items on the menu is their liver and onions option – it’s so delicious and cooked to perfection. Being that I’m a mining engineer, a while back I decided to try their Miner’s Delight sandwich for fun and I absolutely loved it! Whether you need a good meal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or looking to satisfy your sweet tooth with stellar service, the Coffee Mug is definitely the place to go. Check out their menu at Coffee Mug.

Coffee Mug Elko, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - AM Engineering

When I went to Virginia Tech, my intention was to major in civil engineering because I thought it was the most versatile engineering field. Although God redirected my steps to mining engineering, which I grew to love, I'm very thankful for the civil engineering classes I took prior to switching my major. I believe they were a good foundation for me in general as an engineer - it helps broaden my critical thinking and how I approach problem-solving. A.M. Engineering is a Nevada-grown Civil Engineering Firm operating in all rural and urban areas throughout Nevada and the western United States. Headed by Owner/Operator (CEO) Aaron Martinez, P.E. - lifelong Nevadan who graduated from Elko High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada. A.M. Engineering specializes in Design – Build Engineering services, with an extensive line of experience assisting clients through all stages of their project. Their civil engineering services include: Streets & Highways, Residential & Commercial Development, Airports, Feasibility Studies, Hydrological & Hydraulic Analysis, Preliminary Engineering Reports, Erosion Control & Water Quality BMPs, Water Distribution and Treatment System Designs, etc. Located in the Blohm building on 5th street, A.M. Engineering also offers construction services and 3D laser scanning. Visit AM Engineering for a full list of their services.

AM Engineering, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Elko for Miss Nevada USA 2018 - Official Headshot

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God. The Miss Nevada USA website has been updated and headshots for the 2018 Miss and Teen contestants have been posted. Thanks to Kelly Belmonte of KBMakeup and Naked Las Vegas for doing amazing makeup on me and Chezaray Photography for perfectly capturing the confidently beautiful that I am for my headshot. Go check out the website and see the beauties vying to represent the Silver State at Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2018 pageants. Remember to purchase your tickets to the preliminary and finals shows on the venue's website. I'll see you on January 7th!

Hard Hats and High Heels:
ELKO for Miss Nevada USA 2018

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 

Esther 4:14b

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.

Sponsor Spotlight - Ruby Mountain Photography

Still looking for gifts this holiday season for loved ones or need something for your home or business? How about some beautiful photography - specifically gorgeous photos from Ruby Mountain Photography? With the motto of "Capturing the Beauty of the High Desert," award-winning landscape photographer Susan Summer Elliott loves capturing the Ruby Mountains, the changing seasons and the captivating moods of ever-changing high-desert weather. Her photography reflect the purity of Nevada's true blue and the heartfelt glory of the West. Photography can be purchased online at Ruby Mountain Photography as well as locally in Elko at the Western Folklife Center, Northeastern Nevada Museum, and Blohm Jewelers.

Ruby Mountain Photography, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Practical Mining

Elko is known as the capital of Nevada's goldbelt - the city's economy is based heavily on gold mining, with ranching and tourism providing additional jobs. As a mining engineer living and working in Elko, I find it to be a great place to interact and learn from so many professionals working in and for the industry. Located on Idaho Street in the Blohm building, Practical Mining LLC offers engineering services to the mines such as Reserves SEC Section 7 and NI 43-101, mine planning, underground mine design, cost estimates, backfill plant design, etc. Mark Odell P.E. is the sole owner-operator of Practical Mining with 25 years experience in managerial, operational and technical capacities in many types of underground and open pit mining environments. Educated at Colorado School of Mines with a BS in Mining Engineering, Odell is also a Registered Professional Engineer, State of Nevada, No. 13708, as well as a registered member in the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME).

Practical Mining LLC, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Star Hotel Elko

One of the great things about Elko County is its strong presence of Basque culture. The Basques (Basque: Euskaldunak) are an indigenous ethno-linguistic group mainly inhabiting Basque Country (adjacent areas of Spain and France). The Basque festival held annually during July 4th weekend is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in Elko. The Star Hotel on silver street is a Basque, family style restaurant and lounge, serving excellent European style food in an old world atmosphere. Eating at The Star is an experience everyone must have as much as possible. It's perfect for any group size - the larger, the better! Their specialties include steaks and lamb dishes, which I love; also love their pre-meal soup and salad. The service is fantastic and Scottie and the entire staff are amazing. Check out their website (www.elkostarhotel.com) and get a glance of their yummy menu and plan for lunch and/or dinner at The Star. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu. And remember...COME VERY HUNGRY!

The Star Hotel, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate your generous contribution.

Sponsor Spotlight - Independent SeneGence Distributor

Hey Elko County, 

Did you check out the 2-day Spring Creek Fall Craft Festival few weekends ago? Did you purchase anything awesome for yourself and/or someone? One of my favorite vendors at this year's festival was Sarah's Lovely Lips by my awesome friend, Sarah Key, who's an independent SeneGence International distributor. 

I'm wearing the Mulled Wine LipSense Lip Color with the moisturizing gloss - one of my favorites. I love this collection and the tingly sensation it has on your lips. It truly is long-lasting and smudge proof and waterproof! The holidays are coming up and this would be a perfect gift for your girl friends, girlfriend, wife, mom, sisters, daughters, aunts, nieces, etc. If you have questions about this awesome lip product and/or want yours, contact Sarah at sarahn31@gmail.com or (435) 467-1010.

Sarah, thank you for being a sponsor to me towards my journey to the Miss Nevada USA stage. I really appreciate you and I know my lips will be perfect for pageant weekend.

Miss Nevada USA 2018 Orientation

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I have been busy but happy, thanks be to God. This past Sunday was Contestant Orientation Day for Miss Nevada USA 2018 Pageant, held at the Henderson location of Life Time Vegas. I got to meet some of the Miss and Teen contestants as well as hear from our reigning Miss Nevada Teen USA Alexis Smith and State Director, Shanna Moakler. After hearing more about pageant weekend from Shanna, I'm more excited now for pageant weekend and to represent Elko.

After the session with Shanna, we had an hour of Barre class. Our instructor, Ann-Marie, kicked our butts and I was nervous about the body soreness in my near future during the long drive back to Elko the following. However, my consistency in working out and living a healthier life paid off and I felt nothing the following day. But during the class...YIKES! In the midst of kicking our butts, I loved the empowering things she was saying to us - her students at UNLV are blessed to have a professor like her. Thanks to my friend and makeup artist, Kelly Belmonte, for getting me glammed for the day.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:8-9

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.

Ruby Mountain Hike

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I have been doing well - thanks be to God. A couple months, I went on a beautiful hike on the Talbott Trail at the Ruby Mountains with my friend, right before it got covered with snow in early November. It was a beautiful Sunday and a gorgeous view from up the Rubies to enjoy God's creation.

A little bit of Sporty and Scary Spice

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.

Fall 2017 - Trip to Las Vegas/Miss Universe 2017

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing wonderful, thanks be to God! Few weeks ago, I was in Las Vegas with purpose of: attending the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, photo shoot for my Miss Nevada USA headshots with Chezaray Photography, volunteer with Las Vegas Rescue Mission, as well as some time to rest. It was a nice, short vacation. Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa, my fellow woman in STEM and our Miss USA Kara McCullough, as well as the other 90 confidently beautiful women who represented their nations.

90s Baby, 70s Soul

King of Venezuela
Osmel Sousa - National Director of Miss Venezuela Organization

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.

Thanksgiving 2017 - Serving at Las Vegas Rescue Mission

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing awesome, to God be the glory. This past Thanksgiving week, I was in Las Vegas with intentions to attend the 2017 Miss Universe Pageant as well as get my official Miss Nevada USA headshots done. On Thanksgiving morning, I helped put together the food in the kitchen for the community thanksgiving meal at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission.

Volunteering went so smoothly thanks to our Kitchen Manager, Jimmy. Founded in 1970, LVRM is a Christian nonprofit organization that started with a small storefront building that included the chapel, kitchen and a shelter that could house a few men. Today, LVRM campus takes up two city blocks in downtown Las Vegas, helping hundreds of men, women and children daily, and providing approximately 30,000 meals each month. Their campus includes: Dining and Training Facility, Shelter of Hope – Houses women and children, Men’s Facility – Includes a section for single fathers with children, Chapel, and Thrift Store.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.

October 2017 - Life in a Suitcase

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I have been happy and so thankful to God for everlasting love and unfailing kindness. The past few months have been really busy for me and I haven't been very diligent in blogging. The month of October was especially busy with traveling for me for work and was able to visit 2 states I had never been to before: Colorado and Washington. In that month, I was in 4 states during the 5 weeks of October.

Minerals Administration Training Week in Boise, Idaho

Less than a week after being in Boise, I had a busy and awesome time in Lakewood/Golden for the annual gathering of the national minerals and geology management group. It was my first time in Colorado - if layovers at Denver airport don't count. Although I didn't get much time to explore on my own time, one of my Minerals and Geology Management team members set up a field trip for us to Dinosaur Ridge.

Dinosaur Ridge is a segment of the Dakota Hogback in the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark located near the town of Morrison and just west of Denver. The Dinosaur Ridge area is one of the world's most famous dinosaur fossil localities.

In 1877, some of the best-known dinosaurs were found here, including Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus. The site features the Dinosaur Ridge Exhibit Hall with displays about the dinosaurs found at the site.

Additionally, Dinosaur Ridge has interpretive signs at trail locations that explain the local geology, a volcanic ash bed, trace fossils, paleo-ecology, economic development of coal, oil and clay, and many other geologic and paleontological features.

Post-Church Photo in Seattle, Washington

Although I was in Seattle for the geology conference and missed my home church in Elko that Sunday, I was thankful that I could gather with God's beloved and worship our good, good Father a Church close to my hotel. What's super awesome is that this Church was also on a series about the 5 solas just like Living Stones - message was Sola Fide (faith alone). By being in Washington state, I officially made it all the way to the top of Pacific Northwest!

After attending Church, I went to Day 1 at the annual Geological Society of America's Meeting and Exposition. There were so many great presentations. This mining engineer went intentions to broaden her knowledge on geology, hydrogeology, soils, minerals, etc.‬ at GSA 2017, held at the Washington State Convention Center.

Day 2 at GSA2017 - I saw several current and alumni Hokies present the past couple days. On the second day I made it a priority to check out the Tech booth. As a mining engineering student, I took some classes in the geoscience department. Ph.D candidate Sebastian gave a great presentation this morning on his research "The Solubility and Structure of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate(s) (ACC): Toward an Understanding of Chemical and Structural Evolution during Mineralization.‬"

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 

Ephesians 3:12

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,

Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.