Align: Finland
Day 2 on the Align Prayer Challenge Matthew 2
Today, while closely reading Matthew, I saw that just as Moses led the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt, Jesus too came out of Egypt (where he had been taken to escape Herod) and released all of us from bondage. Also, the magi were not kings, but astrologers who recognized the Messiah. Many New Age people are in New Age because they are seeking God. Especially women who have been made unwelcome in many Christian churches and told to deny their spiritual gifts. They too will find Jesus one day. And the Jewish leaders knew the prophecy of the Messiah coming from Bethlehem. It was in their scriptures. Yet they still denied Jesus.
Finland
Finland is next on our travels throughout the world. Why Finland? Because it's one of my heritage countries. My father immigrated from there. He comes from a long line of Finns, some like my father who were trapped in the Soviet Union. Finland is a Nordic country bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia. It offers it's citizens free education and universal health care. They do pay high taxes but many of their needs are met. It's covered in forests and lakes. They are known for their high quality of life and education. Hey, if university is free, why not go?
Finnish Lapland is also known as the home of Santa Claus since it covers the North Pole. They have a few Santa villages where you can get a sleigh ride by reindeer. I think it's the non-flying reindeer. Turns out I have a right to claim citizenship because of my father! I did not know that. I wonder if I could have dual citizenship?
They've had problems with Russia in the past which is why my family ended up in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).
In 1908 Finland was the first country in the world to give all women the vote and the first in the world to elect female parliament members. Yay! (Imagine Kermit the Frog waving his arms around). However they have allowed the current men's rights activism to threaten the rights of women by allowing men to legally claim to be women and access women's spaces, sports, and places. This is a huge step backwards done under the disguise of equality. It's not. So I'm praying naturally for my Finnish relatives, but also that women will have their autonomy back and that Finland will have no further problems with Russia.
If my son had still been Homeschooling this information would have been fun information to share with him and to discuss what I learned from your post.
Agree with the other commenter, interesting info about Finland. Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting information about your heritage country. The world is a big place and it's nice to find your roots and where your family is from. I have heard good things about their education system. Thanks for sharing all the info!