8th Grade School Picture

This is my brand new school picture. Enjoy!

My Paintings

I have been taking an oil painting class on Thursday nights and I thought some of you would enjoy seeing what I have painted so far. So here you are!

Back to Blogging

Whew! I had no idea how long it's been since i posted on my BLOG -- almost 4 months!! Things have been so insanely busy lately! We have a million things to do during the week, school (which is weird, since I was homeschooled for 3 years), and I don't think we have a single night to relax on weeknights. I will try to remember to post on my BLOG as often as possible (I will attempt to post every week, though I know that's asking a lot). Thanks everyone and see you around soon!

Happy 4th of July!

I want to thank all the people who read my blog consistently (even when I forget to post) an thank all those who pray for me, my family, and the ministry. To everyone: Happy 4th of July! May it be a wonderful one and may you have a lot of fun with friends and family!! Have a great day, everyone!

The Diary of Beth Thompson, a Girl in the Great Depression

December 29, 1929

Wow! Only a few more days till it's 1930! And then I will turn 11 on February 21! Christmas Eve was really amazing--reading the Christmas story by the crackling fire, sitting on Dad's warm, comforting lap, just enjoying spending time with all the people I love and hold very dear to me. Christmas Day was spectacular too--especially when everyone opened their presents from me. Mrs. Sortenberg (our neighbor) helped me knit scarves and hats for everybody (Dad, Lisa, Aaron, Rob) and I made cookies and a pie all by myself while they were gone for a while. I really wanted this to be a great Christmas--because in a depression, anything can happen overnight.

The Diary of Beth Thompson, a Girl in the Great Depression

December 15, 1929

Only 10 days till Christmas! I can hardly wait!! Things have been going well in my family, but Anita and her family haven't--I don't think. She keeps making jokes about things that aren't really funny, or smiling like she doesn't want to. I have a feeling she's got money problems, but I'm not quite sure. On a higher note, I'm really getting into the Christmas spirit--making and hiding presents, listening to Christmas music, spending more time with the family, etc. etc. etc. I can't wait to see what I get for Christmas, but I REALLY can't wait to see what everybody else thinks of their presents! Reminds me of the saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Anyway, I better go--I'll write sometime after Christmas. Talk to you later, diary.

The Diary of Beth Thompson, a Girl in the Great Depression

December 4, 1929

Hooray! Today is Dad's birthday! I'm giving him a tie and a notebook he has wanted forever! We'll have cake and pizza (homemade of course!) and all kinds of other treats! I can hardly wait! I have been worried about Anita. She seems different, although I can't quite figure out why. Things just seem . . . foreboding (one of my cool vocabulary words for school this week). I am going to be busy with Christmas preparations--lucky for me, school will get out in a week! I have to plan what to get (or make) for each person in my family. I might make them all something . . . it has to be AMAZING . . . I guess I have some thinking to do, so I'll write here again soon and tell you all about it, diary.

From Darkness to Light

I'm on a path that I cannot see.
Darkness and doubt envelope me.
I hear a voice as I stumble and fall.
"Give up now, you can't do this at all!"
Slowly, I pick myself up off the ground.
In vain, I search for my way around.

I cry out for help but all I hear
Is that awful voice whispering in my ear.
That voice of doubt that says, "Child, don't try
If you think you can, you're believing a lie.
Just give up, give in, if you try you will fail."
I try again, but to no avail.

I feel like hope cannot be found.
No one to help me is around.
I feel terribly alone.
I cannot do this on my own.

A second more powerful voice I then hear.
The voice is strong, and true, and clear.
"I am your God. I love you so.
I want to help you, please don't say no.
Please don't toss me aside.
I want to come in and with you abide.
You can't live life in your own might.
You absolutely NEED my light.
Peace and joy to you I'll give
And by my power you will live.
Come to me, weary one, I will give you rest.
I made you, my child. I know what is best."

So I run into my Father's arms tonight.
I have just passed from darkness to light.

The Diary of Beth Thompson, a Girl in the Great Depression

November 15, 1929

Well, let me tell you about today. It was MUCH better than last time I wrote here. Boys are such a pain! Today, I woke up, ate breakfast, Anita and I played at recess together, then we came to my house and had grilled cheese sandwiches. (It was a normal day, which is good.) Then I went to the store to buy chicken for dinner. Then I made dinner and we ate it. Now I am up in my room, writing this . . . yawn. Time for bed!

The Diary of Beth Thompson, A Girl in the Great Depression

November 9, 1929

I am so annoyed at the creep that I could just SCREAM!! Jason Cunningham (THE most annoying boy at school) sits right behind me in school (Description: brown hair with one strand always flopping forward on his forehead, light skin, expressive brown eyes, a HUGE dimple in one of his cheeks. Okay, so he IS kinda cute.) Today, he passed a note to me in class. It said, "You are the weirdest girl I have ever met. You play with Mexicans. You make your own toys. You are so stupid, you probably can't even read this letter! Why are you here in school, little girl?" The note made me so mad I reread the letter. The second time it seemed even more annoying. To make matters worse, when I looked up from the note, I looked into the eyes of, most likely, the meanest 5th grade teacher a girl could ask for--Ms. Fran. I got in trouble for reading his extremely rude note! Oh, the nerve! I'm so mad at him I could just . . . And most of what he said is NOT true! I am NOT weird! I do NOT make my own toys! I am NOT stupid! The only thing he said that was partly true was that I play with Mexicans. (Anita is only HALF Mexican, so therefore, what he said is only PARTLY true! HA! Take THAT, Jason Cunningham!)
Well, I better go take a walk . . . so I can cool down.

Puzzle!

For those of you who love puzzles, check out this awesome website!
There are more puzzles, so feel free to look around!
There are many categories and even a puzzle of the day!
So, what are you waiting for? Click on the puzzle!

The Diary of Beth Thompson, A Girl in the Great Depression

November 4, 1929

Things have been going well. I can't WAIT for Thanksgiving! It is only two weeks away! Hooray!

List of things I am thankful for:

• My family
• My house
• My meals
• My best friend

Wow! This could go on forever!

Well, I have to go make chicken and rice. Talk to you later, diary!!

The Diary of Beth Thompson, a Girl in the Great Depression

October 31, 1929

I was definitely wrong about the good times staying forever. Two days ago, the stock market crashed. (I had no idea what the stock market was, so I asked Dad and he told me.) Everyone who had bought stock (shares) from another store or company got scared and all sold their shares at the same time. The prices plummeted and people lost their money. Aaron's boss warned him to start looking for another job because he said people might not be able to buy cars (he might have to close down the company!). I'm so scared. What might happen to us if we can't buy anything like food?!
Anita and I have talked and she is scared. Her dad's job doesn't pay much, and he might get fired, too. They have never been rich, and I am worried about them. They might get evicted (Dad says it means to get thrown out) of their house! Poor Anita. I have a feeling I might lose my best friend . . . and worse.