What I Love about Finland

Often times as Americans we get into the habit of comparing everything to home and usually everything comes up as a distant second place. This begins to display itself as negativity towards anything that is not familiar and comfortable. It is easily understandable as we are indoctrinated early on that the American way of life is the best of all worlds present or past. "America, love it or leave it" is often the rallying cry. I really don't want to get into the debate on "the best" because I don't think that there is a true answer to that other than pure opinion. It's kind of like the BCS in college football, fun to argue about if you don't take it too seriously but ultimately an argument that has no true relevance to life.
Secondly as a Christian I am a sojourner in any land as my true allegiance is not to any earthly king but to the true King of kings and Lord of lords. I am a Christian first and an American second and unfortunately at times those identities do not run on parallel paths.
But I digress, my intent on writing this week is to get beyond the comparisons and focus on why I love being in Finland. I challenged the Butchers last week before our game against Turku to heed the words of Paul in Philippians 4: 8  "Finally Brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about these things." I have realized that we needed to think about the good things going on with our team, the way guys have stepped up and answered the call when others (many of them) have been injured. We ended the game last week with no replacements at any position on offense, but we needed to not focus on those problems but on how we would and could respond to them by focusing on the good, the right, the admirable, the noble and the lovely. Sometimes that is a difficult task.
I know that I can by nature begin to be overwhelmed and dwell on problems, but I have tried to not do that here. This verse in Philippians has been such a strength for me over the last few years as difficult times seem to hammer home with the regularity of the waves on the Oregon Coast. So as I thought about it I was challenged to not dwell on missing home and my family (which I do terribly)and issues with the team and my future. Instead I thought about what do I love about Finland and these are my conclusions.

1) The people-While Finnish people can be a bit reserved, I have discovered that they are a warm and generous people. They have received me with such grace and generosity and I am truly thankful for the blessings. I have found them to be a very straightforward culture where hyperbole is uncommon and flattery unnecessary.

2)  Three to four hour sunsets! Yes the sun starts going down around 9 pm but never really goes down till after midnight now, so the sunset is spectacular for the entire time. Amazing!
3) Active people. It is so inspiring to see so many people out walking, running, nordic walking, biking, bird watching and just enjoying the outdoors no matter what the weather conditions. Combine that with the late daylight hours and it is an inspiring combination. I came home the other night after practice at 10 pm and saw so many people out that I decided to go for a run as well. I got back at about 11:30 pm still in daylight!
4) Kids playing! Kids here are always out riding their bikes, playing games, kicking soccer balls, throwing footballs and hanging out with one another. And without helicopter parents hanging around in close proximity. It is refreshing to see active kids developing friendships. I know that many of the guys on our team have been playing football together since they were juniors, some for about 20 years now! those relationships are so strong and have been built through playing together.

5) Sauna's-yes the sauna is a refreshing way to relax and sweat out the toxins in the body, even if there are naked people with you.
6) Trails Trails Trails! Bike trails, walking trails, Nordic skiing trails, they are everywhere and it is amazing. If there is a road there is a bike trail next to it. The ease of getting around on a bike is amazing and refreshing. I am constantly amazed at the friendliness of alternative transportation modes here.

7) Slow pace of life. Life is lived here at an slower pace. Vacations are abundant, lunches are relaxed and filled with conversation, people avoid the rat race of life as much as possible.
8) History-this country has been such a midpoint of conflict through the twentieth century and beyond. Battles over sovereignty between Sweden and Russia, Finnish independence from those two neighbors, battles and alliances with the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany and the constant tension of the Cold War between the Capitalist West and the Communist East in which Finland was squarely in the middle ground. In addition the ability to travel to places such as Sweden, Norway, Russia and  Estonia all so close with such rich histories is incredible.

9) Lakes. Wow! There are over 187,000 large lakes in Finland! Driving anywhere you pass a multitude and it is truly spectacular. This is a country steeped in beauty and yet relatively unspoiled.

10) The Butchers! This group of people has welcomed me and all my crazy ideas about family times, "A Beautiful Day drill" and crazy games at practice and given me great effort and support. They have also listened to my philosophical and theological ramblings without sending me to the psychiatric hospital! http://www.porvoonbutchers.com

We have a huge game this week against the Helsinki Roosters who are also unbeaten right now. It will be a great contest, but I know that no matter the outcome we will weather the storm and appreciate the gifts that we have been given here in Finland and soldier on toward the next challenge together. Thanks for your prayers they have sustained me and helped me to stay focused on the true, the right, the noble and the lovely.