Coming August...

I'm so excited for this coming school year! I'm going to be taking a year off of traditional schooling before going off to college. I'll be leaving the end of August to go to the Dominican Republic to do mission work and study Spanish and Bible. Here's a brief overview of the organization and what I'll be doing.

SCORE International was started by Ron Bishop former basketball coach at Tennessee Temple University as a sports missions ministry in 1985. Thousands of athletes have traveled with SCORE to 20 countries. Bishop later expanded the organization to include church youth groups, senior class trips, educators, choirs, medical teams and construction teams. There are two main sites: Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. I'll be going to the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic there are two main ministries: Save The Children which includes an „Orphanage, Daycare, and Youth Program. Along with the Lily House which works on getting prostitutes off the streets and providing food, medical care, education and counseling. Learn more here.

I'll be in the GAP year (Global Adventure Pursuit) program which is made up of 15-25 students ages 18-25. We'll be doing ministry in local churches, with local organizations and trips to neighboring countries. 4 days a week I'll be studying Spanish and Bible. The other days are full of ministry and exploration. Poke around SCORE's website for a little more information here.

I'll be blogging about my adventures at my NEW blog A River of Joy. I'm going to continue blogging here on Sea Glass and Ribbons probably until end of July/early August. Make sure you're subscribed and all ready to read about my adventures in the Dominican Republic. I'm so so so excited for what God has in store for me. I think it will be challenging, encouraging and a wonderful experience. 

P.S. if you head over to my new blog you can see a sweet video of me explaining how I decided missions was for me. 

Encouraging Word {Hebrews}

I've recently started the She Reads Truth devotionals. We're going through Nehemiah and today's all about friendship. Here's a little snippet:

"As women, we often struggle with turning to another in a time of need. We’re told not to be annoying, to go with the flow, to stick it out. Being able to turn to another woman who loves the Lord changes so much in our lives. Whether it’s a commitment to pray for us as mothers, to encourage us on a job hunt, to stand by us during a hard time in our marriages, to help with something tangible; we need each other.

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

Today, think about Godly women in your life who may be blessed if you turn to them with a need. Bind together in your friendships for Christ and see what marvels take place for His glory.

“…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)"

Read the rest of the devotional here.

I'm incredibly blessed with a few close friends I can call sisters in Christ. One of my friends just got back from a semester abroad and I'm so excited to see her in person for the first time in months! We were able to stay connect through occasional emails, but it's so not the same as a conversation in person. She's helped and encouraged me through dark times and has brought me closer to Christ. I'm so thankful for that.

I pray you find an encouraging friend and be thankful for the friends you already have.

Photography {Senior Pictures}

Once in awhile I dabble in photography. I love it as a hobby and mostly stick to nature subjects but every once in awhile I get the chance to take pictures of people! This is my gorgeous friend Miranda. We went to a park in Northeast Minneapolis as well as an old warehouse building.

Stop and smell the flowers {Photo Diary}

Finals are in the air. Hence why my weekly Listen to This post didn't get done yesterday. 

I took some time today before my final to stop and smell the flowers. The May rain is making all the pretty blossoms, well, blossom. Enjoy some pictures :)

All pictures are solely mine. Please give credit these pictures whether pinned or reposted. I'd love it if you let me know if you are reposting any of these photos by emailing jessinia.ruff@gmail.com.

5 minute DIY {Lace Headband}

I wasn't even sure I should blog this because it is so simple! Lace is so 'in' right now, according to Elle. What better way to be trendy then with a stylish headband? I used a scrap of lace fabric I had laying around, but you could easily substitute any other fabric.
Here's how it's done:

Pretty self explanatory on the supplies.

Step 1: Gather the fabric. Then sew, with several stitches, the elastic and the layered fabric together.

Step 2: Repeat step 1 on the other side.

Step 3: Trim the ends of the fabric. 

That's it!

Enjoy!