A Year in Finland

Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland_men%27s_national_ice_hockey_team

Today marks our first year in Finland and our baby is now exactly 6 months! Looking back, we realize how amazing it has been getting through all the hurdles we've been through. My husband and I thought its good to stay in the Philippines, we were both working but suddenly, his project with Appen stopped and we found ourselves caught up with accumulating bills and piling debt. Every area of our life is great but the financial strain is taking a toll in us. A good friend who has been a great help for us, with good intention, suggested my husband to go back to Norway to find work, but just the thought of having to separate constantly broke our hearts, and with my husband's life story (See upcoming book-TBA), it would take a miracle to get hired especially in Schengen countries. My husband kept on finding a good job in the Philippines to no avail. We thought to see if we can move to Finland, his home country but we didn't have the means. A lot of sacrifices has been made, my husband did the best he can, family and friends helped us out, even our landlady adjusted the contract for  us.

Our faith has been stretched until we were able to purchase our tickets to Finland as well as the return tickets. We landed March 20 early in the morning, and the airport officer pointed out that we should change our return flight to one day back, that adjustment would mean another expense. That time we only have a thousand euro pocket money. We went straight to register ourselves to the Population Information System (http://www.maistraatti.fi/), registered to the Public Employment and Business Services (http://www.te-services.fi/). Then I applied for a residence permit and to Kela (http://www.kela.fi/) and got my cards on the 1st of April. Soon after, we had a meeting with Social Services to apply for support. We found a newly renovated unit in the same building where we were staying with my in-laws, our dilemma is if the landlords will let my husband sign a contract despite of his credit standing, but they did!

By April 3rd, we are in our new home! Finding ourselves settled, we can forget about our return tickets and make a fresh start in here. The whole summer has been great, we met a lot of people, gone to different events/places and just basked in. By Fall, we were anticipating the arrival of our daughter, I gave birth on the 20th of September. Its a very special day for us, 20 is my birthdate and September is my husband's birth month. She is a wonderful gift to us, our everyday became more meaningful. By October, we were off the Social Service support and got unemployment allowance instead, was able to get a hold of TE and planned our steps to integration.

We are moved deeply at how things worked out for our good. This day, we reminisce on God's goodness, and the favor we received from our famly and friends. We are also grateful for the Finnish system, thank you for making us welcomed!