Finish Well

In “Travel to the Netherlands III,” Episode, #204, join Meredith Curtis on a trip back in time to the Netherlands during and after World War II. Discover the impact World War II had on families and children who became heroes who hid the Jewish people and made life hard for the occupying Nazis. Learn about the Evian Conference and Anne Frank. Meet Dutch heroes like Corrie ten Boom and Brother Andrew. Discover how World War II changed the Netherlands.

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The Netherlands is a plucky little nation in Northern Europe with a fascinating history. World War II brought horror to the nation, but the Dutch people fought back by hiding Jews and making life difficult for the occupying Nazis.

In July 1938, a conference was held in Evian-les-Bains, France. Would anyone take the Jews? Denmark and the Netherlands. Hitler used the response of the world’s nations to justify his “Final Solution.” Some Jews did indeed flee to the Netherlands and Denmark.

The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but was invaded by Hitler’s Nazi army in 1940 and was occupied by German troops until 1945 when they were liberated by the Allies.

Jews were rounded up to die in concentration camps. Many brave Dutchmen and Dutchwomen, like Corrie ten Boom and her family, risked their lives to hide Jews in secret rooms built in their homes. Others like Brother Andrew sabotaged the Nazi invaders.

Friends of the family hid the Franks in a secret attic room. Otto, Edith, and their two daughters Margot and Anne hid in the secret room for a little over two years before the Nazis found them. During that time Anne kept a diary. Otto was the only one to survive the camps and he was given the diary that the family who hid the Franks kept for him. The house is now a museum.

In 1844, Corrie’s grandfather, Willem was approached by a Messianic Jewish pastor who asked Willem to start a weekly prayer meeting for the Jewish people.

“When Casper was warned of the danger of hiding Jewish people, imprisonment and death, Casper declared that he felt it a great privilege to give his life to save God’s Chosen People.” Corrie and Betsy shared his heart.

Final Raid – ten Booms arrested. Jews stayed hidden and escaped. Corrie’s ministry.

Visiting the Hiding Place.

Andrew van der Bijl’s life was abruptly changed when the German Nazis invaded in 1940. Andrew and others like him determined to do everything they could to thwart the Nazis: Hide and care for the Jews, help Allies, blow up bridges and destroy railroads to keep the Germans from moving men and supplies.

Andrew’s education stopped when the Nazis invaded. All food Dutch farmers grew was sent to German soldiers. Dutch men were kidnapped and forced to serve in German factories. Andrew’s teen years were filled with horror and hunger. Yet, God protected him and after serving in the military, he gave his life to Christ.

He and his wife Corrie started a ministry called Open Doors to minister to persecuted Christians behind the Iron Curtain (those Christians in Communist Europe) and later the Bamboo Curtain (those Christians in Communist Asia). Near the end of his life, he ministered to persecuted believers in the Middle East.

After the war was over, there were years of rebuilding from the terrible destruction. Following World War II, the Dutch gave their colonies their independence too. Indonesia regained her freedom in 1949, Surinam in 1954, and the Antilles islands in 1954. The Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles together form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Each country has its own government, but they share the queen or king.

Lost: devout faith enjoyed by majority. Steady decline of morality

Gained: Agriculuture, Technology (cassette, Cd, Dvd, WiFi), Trade, Business.

One thing that really impacted the Dutch people was starving during the Nazi occupation. Determined to not starve again, they are on the cutting edge with efficient and productive farming techinuques. The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of food topped only by the US.

Movie Return to the Hiding Place

Join me for a 4-week unit study touring the plucky little country that once ruled the seas!

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In “Travel to the Netherlands with Me II,” Episode, #203, Meredith Curtis invites you to take a trip with her to the Netherlands. This time, we’ll explore the Golden Age, the 80 Years’ War, and Tulipmania. What an exciting time filled with inventors, painters, and trade all over the world! The Dutch were the world power of their time in sea and in trade! All this was fueled by their devotion to the Lord and desire to honor Him with hard work and thrifty living.

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The Netherlands is a plucky little nation in Northern Europe with a fascinating history. Continuing on to part II of our 3-part series, today we are going to talk about the Netherland’s Golden Age & Tulipmania.

The Dutch were independent and freedom-loving. With hard work and faith in God, they conquered the sea and used the sea for their livelihood – trading with other nations all over the world.

Embracing the Reformation.

Rule of Phillip II of Spain & Spanish Inquisition. Protestant Christians were put to death for heresy.

This religious persecution finally erupted into a war for independence led by William the Silent, Prince of Orange.

Victories and Losses. Siege of Leiden.

1581 – Official secession from Spanish Empire. 1584 – William the Silent assassinated.

10 year peace. From 1609 to 1619 the Dutch enjoyed relative freedom but it ended.

The Eighty Years’ War began in 1568 and continued for eighty years until 1648 when the Spanish finally recognized the independence of the Netherlands.

On May 15, 1648, the Peace of Munster made independence official. The Netherlands was a free independent nation. To learn more about the Eighty Years War, watch this video “The Dutch Revolt: The Eighty Years’ War and the Creation of the Netherlands” https://youtu.be/g1AMiQmApQQ

Ironically, it was during the Eighty Years War and afterward from 1599-1672, that the Netherlands moved into a Golden Age where they became a financial powerhouse and mighty sea power.

Discovered in Turkey and brought back to the Netherlands.

The Tulip quickly became a status symbol. Botanists created all kinds of varieties and their popularity soared even more which eventually led to Tulipmania and a market bubble and crash.

At height of Tulipmania, tulips sold for the same price as a mansion on the Amsterdam Grand Canal. Investors kept purchasing tulips and selling them, but finally people woke up and realized that their tulip bulbs were not worth so muchmoney. Then came the crash.

This rising bubble and crash cycle has been seen over and over in history. Popular examples are the Stock Market Crash of 1929 or the Bitcoin crisis more recently.

A great look at Tulipmania is The Great Tulip Trade by Beth Wagoner Brust (an easy reader).

Join me for a 4-week unit study touring the plucky little country that once ruled the seas!

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In “Travel to the Netherlands with Me I,” Episode, #202, Meredith Curtis invites you to take a trip with her to the Netherlands. Discover why it is said that God created the world but the Dutch built the Netherlands. We’ll visit canals, windmills, dams, and Delft. We’ll learn about wooden shoes and delft pottery. This is the first podcast in a 3-part series.

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The Netherlands is a plucky little nation in Northern Europe with a fascinating history and an ability to tame the sea. You might think of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes, and pretty blue and white porcelain, but there is so much more! .

Holding Back the Sea

Dikes, canals, dams, levees, and pumping stations.

Life has always revolved around the sea.

Delta Works is a massive engineering project to keep Zeeland from flooding.

For a bird’s eye view, watch this video: “The Dutch Deltaworks by drone 4K” (Mike Zwijgers https://youtu.be/zkyHR8_ZCvs

The goal of building Delta Works was to:

Canals are used for irrigation, drainage, and transportation. When farmers need water for their crops or animals, they can get water from the canals. When rains come down or floods come up, the canals catch the extra water. Dutch life revolves around the canals of the Netherlands – fishing, boating, skating in the winter, traveling by boat, and even living in houseboats.

A lock raises and lowers boats and ships between stretches of water at different levels on waterways. Boats enter the lock, and the lock takes them to the other level.

It’s fun to make a model of a lock to see how they work. The are different kinds of locks but this is the basics of how a lock works.

Dutch wooden shoes, or klompen, date back to the 1200s, or 13th century. By the late 1500s, there was a guild of clog makers in Holland.

Wooden shoes protected the fishermen, factory workers, artisans, and builders from fishing hooks, nails, and sharp tools. Nothing could penetrate those wooden shoes.

Dutch windmills date back to the 1100s (12th Century AD). There are windmills that were built in the 1500s that are still in use.

The Dutch ride bikes to work, cycle to the supermarket, and even go on bicycle hikes for fun. It’s a great way to stay healthy! They don’t have a bike lane; they have bike lanes – lots of them!

Join me for a 4-week unit study touring the plucky little country that holds back the sea!

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In “Refresh, Renew, & Restore Your Home School,” Episode, #201, Meredith Curtis invites you to take a prayerful look at your home school. Does your family need refreshing? Do you need to replace things that are just not working? Do you need to restore some things that have gotten lost in the chaos? It isn’t as hard as you might thing. Meredith walks you through some easy ways to get your home school back on track to accompalish your mission of discipleship and education.

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Each family is unique and that makes each home school unique. Look for signs that your home school might need a makeover:

Time to relax but get the blood flowing. Vegging out can lead to more lethargy and grumpiness.

Have family members pray for a week or so first (sometimes immediate discussion before prayer can lead to a lot of finger pointing and negativity). The question to ask the Lord is: “What needs to go? What do we need to replace with something else?”

Examples:

To restore means to bring back. What needs to be brought back? Something you used to do but have stopped doing:

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In “Simple Shortcuts to a Stress-Free Christmas,” episode #200, Meredith Curtis reminds you that there are easier ways to do the festive Christmas traditions that make lifetime memories. From trimming the tree, decorating the gingerbread house, crafting, hospitality, cooking, and baking – there’s always an easier, quicker, less stressful way! Enjoy Christmas more this year. Hey! You might even have time to relax and focus on the reason for the season.

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Moms want to create a picture-perfect Christmas to give their families the best and make lifetime memories. Yet, the stress of it all mars the experience. Join me in learning the easier way to do those wonderful Christmasy things.

Buy an already put together gingerbread house or create a Christmas tree forest with sugar cones, frosting, and candy.

Each family member gets a handful of ornaments and a section of the tree.

Instead of making your own dough and cutting out shapes, purchase gingerbread or sugar cookies and let kids decorate with frosting and sprinkles.

When it seems impossible to get the family together for Christmas devotions, try this. Read a short passage before dinner and sing 1 carol. Then have someone say the blessing.

Look for crafts for young children – they are always easy and older kids add their own pizzazz.  Or sign kids up for a workshop at 4H or a nearby fabric or hobby store.

Christmas gifts for extended family can get costly. Cut costs by drawing names and giving a price cap for the gifts.

Choose an evening (like Mon or Tues) and have a list of ideas (drive to see lights, watch a Christmas movie, visit a Live Nativity Scene) and take turns choosing.

Keep it fun and work together. Tips!

Christmas unit studies let you prepare for Christmas while you learn.

Cook and bake food ahead of time and freeze.

Make up your favorite chocolate chip recipe x 10 (I use Toll House) but leave out the chocolate chips. Freeze the dough in batches. Take out a batch and add your favorite things: white chocolate chips and peppermint, butterscotch chips and sprinkle the top with cinnamon, chocolate chips, raisins and nuts, etc.

Ask guests to bring a dish to share.

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Celebrate holidays with these festive, fun books and unit studies:

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In “Holiday Hospitality Homeschool Unit Study,” episode #199, Meredith Curtis helps you combine holiday hospitality and homeschooling in a fun way! Here is a FREE easy unit study right in the podcast with Scriptures, read aloud ideas, and practical activities each day to get ready for company and learn life skills at the same time! Turn welcoming people into your home into a family project and festive way to pass on values, character, and life skills.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

It’s that time of year where relatives gather. Are they heading to your house this year? Don’t panic – use school time to get ready while you build memories with your kids.

Tips for peaceful and efficient working together.

Scripture: I Peter 4:8-9. Discuss show love and hospitality are related.

Talk about Cleaning Basics & Clean the House

Lunch & Read Aloud.

Decorate the House for Holiday.

Scripture: Romans 12:12-20. Discuss how to live these principles out with your guests.

Talk about Gifts & Budgets, Make a List and Shop for Gifts in store or online.

Lunch and Read Aloud.

Wrap Gifts.

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46. How is showing hospitality to your guests serving Jesus?

Make menus for days guests’ visit including snacks to have on hand. Then create a shopping list together.

Lunch and read aloud.

Shop. Tips to Shop as a team.

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15. How do Abraham and Sarah show hospitality to their visitors? How can you imitate their example?

Many things can be made and frozen. Spend the day cooking with a break for lunch and read aloud.

Scripture: Luke 14:12-17. How can you include the lonely and needy in this holiday’s activities?

Brainstorm ideas for holiday fun in your hometown and fun things to do at home. Make a tentative/flexible plan (important for certain family members to know that it’s flexible).

Lunch and read aloud.

Finishing touches.

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Celebrate holidays with these festive, fun books and unit studies:

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In “7 Festive Fun Thanksgiving Traditions to Cultivate Gratitude,” episode #198, Meredith Curtis inspires homeschooling families with meaningful ways to give thanks this year. God has been good to us this year and Thanksgiving is a great day to let Him and each other know how thankful we are! Traditions include Praise Breakfast, Gratitude Guessing Game, Thankful Tree, Blessing Place cards, Pass the Praise, Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing, and Thankful Poster. Try one this year and watch gratitude grow in every heart.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

God is good. His goodness is everywhere but we often focus on what we don’t have rather than our blessings. These traditions are easy and fun, yet they truly cultivate gratitude!

Supplies needed: yummy breakfast food, instrument (guitar or keys), or online music, and words to songs.

Supplies needed: very small whiteboard, dry erase markers, and notebook paper for each family member.

Supplies needed: poster board, markers, and brown/orange/yellow/red construction paper.

Supplies needed: cardstock, markers, and Bible.

Supplies needed: basket of candy corn.

Supplies needed: hymnal and instrument (piano, guitar) or online music.

Supplies needed: poster board and colorful markers.

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Celebrate holidays with these festive, fun books and unit studies:

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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In “7 Ways Homeschool Families Can Stand with Israel,” episode #197, Meredith Curtis gives practical things homeschooling families can do to stand with Israel during this frightening time: pray, meet practical needs, combat antisemitism – do something! With so misinformation swirling around, we can also teach our children about Israel’s ancient history, Israel’s modern history, and why Israel is such an important ally in the Middle East.

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After the horrific invasion, brutal torture, and heinous murder of Israeli citizens by Hamas on October 7, many homeschooling families want to stand with Israel. Here are 7 ways you can show support to the nation of Israel.

If you don’t know what happened on October 7, 2023, here is a description: https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/hamas-israel-war-articles-videos-and-more/general-articles/what-happened-in-the-october-7th-massacre/

Prayer changes things! God hears our prayers and even commands His people in Psalm 122:7 to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Here are strategic prayers for the Israeli-Hamas Conflict – yes I know some of these will take a miracle but that’s what the Lord does!

Is there a synagogue in your area? They may be providing things for the Israeli soldiers or victims of the terrorist attack on October 7. That might be a great place to give items of clothing, blankets, or even financial gifts.

If you watch the news, you can hear angry chants against Jewish people in the Pro-Palestinian/Hamas demonstrations. So far, Jewish students have been verbally abused by other students (and a professor), manhandled, and threatened. We don’t want this to escalate.

My sister Julie’s text to me. We can be like Julie!

If you have read the Old Testament, you know a little about the history of the Jewish people.

God bless you and God bless Israel.

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Learn more about Israel, the Middle East, and the rest of 20th Century history. The HIS Story of the 20thCentury series comes with a textbook and workbook with timelines, narration, and projects to make the 20thcentury come alive!

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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In “Stress-Free Weddings II: The Team,” episode #196, Meredith Curtis talks to families with a wedding on the horizon who long for a peaceful, joy-filled celebration.  In part II, Meredith helps you gather and utilize a team of friends and family members to get rid of chaos and enjoy smooth sailing through the photo shoots, parties, rehearsal, and wedding day. From the practical to the relational, you will receive wisdom from an experienced Mother of the Bride.

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You just found out! Celebrate, invest emotionally, make a plan with the couple

In Stress-Free Weddings I: The Task, I share all the things that are part of planning a wedding. I encouraged the wedding planner (usually mom) to relax, celebrate, and pray first. Often a quiet dinner with the couple where they are free to dream big (later you can pare down) is a great start to the wedding festivities.

Another review – Things to remember

To have a small or big part of the special day or preparations beforehand

Here are some things they might do

Only use volunteers who are

I created a wedding planner for my daughters and several close friends. Some opted to use the print version and other wanted the eBook to print only the pages that applied to them.

Everything you need is here!

Purchase Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner eBook at PowerlineProd.com: https://www.powerlineprod.com/shop/ultimate-christian-wedding-planner/

Purchase Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner in print at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Christian-Wedding-Planner-Meredith/dp/179515425X

You pick and choose what you want to include and not include. You choose where the money is spent. You choose how and when and where the big day will take place. A wedding planner keeps you organized.

With checklists and schedules,  you will be able to keep you head in all the planning. Family trees, memory pages, comparison pages, budget sheets, vendor payment tracking charts, table arrangement planners, sample invitations, sample schedules, and sample itineraries. But, there’s more!

The Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner has prayers, studies, and meditations to help prepare to be a godly wife. Discover where wedding traditions and symbols come from. Learn all about wedding protocol and who is responsible for what. And lots of Christian encouragment!

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

The post Stress-Free Weddings II: The Team appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In “Stress-Free Weddings I: The Task,” episode #196, Meredith Curtis talks to families with a wedding on the horizon who long for a peaceful, joy-filled celebration.  In part I, Meredith helps you take a deep breath, list and prioritize expectations, and plod peacefully through the planning. She looks at the ceremony, guests, venues, photography, food, clothing, decorations, music, budget, and itinerary. From the practical to the relational, you will receive wisdom from an experienced Mother of the Bride.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

You just found out! Celebrate, invest emotionally, make a plan with the couple

This is exciting! Celebrate the engagement!

Pray – What is God’s will?

Quiet Dinner – “What are you thinking?”

Dream Big – pare down

Things to remember

Who do you want to celebrate with you?

Caterer or Do Food Self

A Wedding Planner with a Timetable is essential

I created a wedding planner for my daughters and several close friends. Some opted to use the print version and other wanted the eBook to print only the pages that applied to them.

Everything you need is here!

You pick and choose what you want to include and not include. You choose where the money is spent. You choose how and when and where the big day will take place. A wedding planner keeps you organized.

With checklists and schedules,  you will be able to keep you head in all the planning. Family trees, memory pages, comparison pages, budget sheets, vendor payment tracking charts, table arrangement planners, sample invitations, sample schedules, and sample itineraries. But, there’s more!

The Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner has prayers, studies, and meditations to help prepare to be a godly wife. Discover where wedding traditions and symbols come from. Learn all about wedding protocol and who is responsible for what. And lots of Christian encouragement!

Sign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

The post Stress-Free Weddings I: The Task appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.