{These are Blessings Indeed!}

I must say, I've been blessed. Truly, truly blessed. You all have blessed me! God has smiled on me.
And I don't say that in a cliche "ohymgoodness" sort of way....I really mean it.

The fact that I'm even alive today is a miracle.
The fact that I have a supporting circle of loving people is a true, real gift.
That fact that I have a loving family, and a beautiful, safe home to live in is worth celebrating too!

But today, what I'm thinking of the most is the hearts of the those.....my friends and family....who decided that the dream God gave me of going to Romania, and loving on those lovely, needy people was worth sponsoring.
Worth praying for.
Worth believing in me for.

It's amazing to me!
Because, really, even if I told everything I know and feel about Romania, and what God has said so far to me about it....and even if I admitted that I don't know exactly why I'm going or what will come of it.....it doesn't seem matter to you all!

I'm not talking just about monetary giving for my trip here. (No, but in that respect, I've been extremely blessed as well! Everything has been provided for! Many, many thanks...) I'm thinking of the love, the kind words, the prayers that these folks have given me....each was special!

And I think I'm just standing in awe of God right now.
How He works things out and, how he worked this out for me.
I feel so special! and yet so little, and unworthy of this trip, at the same time!
I promise I will try not to worry about my abilities because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and I promise to carry myself well in Romania, and serve with all my heart, soul, mind & strength! As would befit someone who has been so, so blessed....

I must thank you, my friends, my family & my church.
Love in Jesus,
~Hannah

Summer 'Kisses'

I miss the warm, bright days of the year
when it seemed like God reached down from the sky
and kissed the earth...
Summer, come soon please!

Yellow Sulpher Butterfly, Hannah Hottenstein. 2009

"And the Results are Pouring in now..."

(c) heh

*There is something to be said for spell checking and looking over a post before posting it as final! If you saw this post before 6:00pm today (1/15/11) I deeply apologize for all the spelling errors!

I am really enjoying watching the results coming in on the polls on the side!
It looks like (so far) this is the consensus:

• I should either name my Etsy shop Ruffle Stuff(s) or Wren Row, to match this blog.

These two are good ideas actually! I liked Ruffle Stuffs and Wren Row the best too. Although I did wonder that no one cared for the other sweet name concoctions, i.e. 'Lovetopia' or 'Curioso' ? lol :)
Also, it was neat to finally get feedback on what exactly people would buy from me (or from Etsy sellers in general.) These were tops:

• sewn items (bags, pillows, purses, jackets, clothes, dresses, satchels, knitted/crocheted things, etc.
• paper "stuffs" as they call them: books, journals, organizational stuff, stationary, etc.

Those are my favorite things to make, so that's real handy. :) However, I did actually forget to put my *favorite* thing to make in that poll: miniatures. Yes, I love miniatures! specifically the 1/12 scale. I can't get enough of them, or making them. :)

Also, it looks like the most commonly agreed upon amount of money someone would be willing to spend at my shop/ on Etsy in general is:

• $15-$20

Hm, interesting! That's actually heartening, really. And it's a fair price for most of the wonderful things sold on Etsy, too! So, dear friends & readers, I would like to say thank you for voting! The feedback helps a bunch. :)

Here's to new starts in the new Year!
~Hannah
- - - - - - - - - - - - - *Isn't God great?*

This Inspires Me! :)

"[Possible] Careers for English Program Graduates" *

The following represents some careers for English majors.

Account Executive
Actor/Actress
Administrative Assistant
Administrator
Advertising Copywriter
Analyst
Artist
Analyst
Attorney
Author - Fiction Non-Fiction
Assistant Scientific Writer
Bank Officer
Biographer
Book Critic
Business Manager
Circulation Assistant
City Manager
College Professor
Columnist/Commentator
Comedy Writer
Communications Manager
Congressional Aide
Copywriter
Corrective Therapist
Creative Writer
Critic, Art/Book
Crossword Puzzle
Curator
Customer Service
Desktop Publisher
Director
Radio-TV Commentator
Radio-TV Newscaster
Reading Consultant
Reporter
Research Assistant
Researcher/Pollster
Retail Sales
Technical Consultant
Technical Writer
Training Specialist
Editor, Film/Video
Editor, Magazine
Editor, News
Editor, Newspaper
Editor, Publications
Editor, Publications
Editor, Writer
Editorial Assistant
Education & Training
Educational Program Specialist
Entertainment Agent
Fashion Merchandiser
Foreign Correspondent
Freelance Writer/Consultant
Fundraiser
Greeting Card Writer
Hearing Officer
Hotel & Motel Manager
Human Resource Specialist
Human Service Practitioner

Humorist/Comedian
Information Abstractor
Insurance Agent
Interior Designer
Interpreter & Translator
Investment Counselor/Manager
Journalist
Labor Relations Specialist
Lawyer
Legal Assistant
Librarian
Sales Representative
Sales/Service Manager
Script Reader
Singer/Voice
Teacher
Social Welfare Examiner
Social Worker
Translator
Underwriter
Video Scriptwriter/Producer
Literary Agent
Loan Officer
Lobbyist
Magazine Writer
Management Trainee
Manuscript Reader
Market Research
Marketing Specialist
Marketing Writer
Mass Media
Media Planner
Medical Records
Narrator
Novelist
Paralegal
Paralegal Assistant
Personnel Manager
Playwright
Poet
Politician
Probation and Parole Officer
Product Manager
Program Manager
Proofreader
Property Manager
Public Administrator
Public Relations Specialist
Public Speaker
Publicity Assistant
Publisher
Publishing Assistant
Special Events Coordinator
Speech Writer
Sports Writer
Stockbroker
Talent Agent
Teacher (all levels)
ESL Teacher
Writer
Documentation Specialist
* Source: Penn State Mont Alto's English Major Webpage


Isn't it just INSPIRING? :)
So many options for an English major!
(I put my favorite in bold.)

Here's To The Future!
;)