Yay God!

I realized I had yet to share with you about a wonderful thing God did lately.

In Latvia there is a very great  financial support system for families- if the Mother is in a working relationship with her place of work. Here are some of the benefits: (as I understand them- of course there are those of you who read this who know the system better than I).

• At 30 weeks she is released on maternity leave and receives at least a partial "salary" paid by the government. 
• After birth she receives "salary" for a certain number of weeks. 
• For the first year of her child's life she receives a monthly child support from the government.
• She can stay at home with her child for the first 1 1/2 years on maternity leave. 

(These sums are always changing due to the budget and financial problems in Latvia. There was one point where the child support could be based on the Dad's salary and this made for some really "good" financial times for a lot of families).

For families that space their children very close together this work relationship and government support system can go on, and on. I have one friend who has now been home for over 5 years and is still getting these privileges with her fourth child.

My 1 1/2 years maternity leave with Amelija ended in October. And since I was pregnant with baby 3 and far too sick to return to work I had to leave my job. In November I became self-employed and have paid taxes for one quarter. Due to my having left my official job and now being practically non-existent in the tax world I was convinced I would not get much or any maternity leave money from the government.

However, as required I submitted my forms and awaited the results. 

We had just been to see the birthing house Harmony (mentioned in an earlier post) and I was wondering where to have the baby and how to pay for it. We had decided we needed to make a budget and start saving money for the birth of our baby. Which will cost at least 500 ls ($936.00). However, our monthly expenses and salary don't make saving very easy.

Imagine my joy, and astonishment when I received the decision from the government that I will be receiving 486 lats or ($906.00). I was floored at how God provided the perfect amount for our birth. I need only 14 lats. Which I was able to sell in my etsy shop over the weekend.

I am so excited at God's provision!