Ottawa Living: Day 156- "Finding Stability in Instability"

Hello Canada,

For family and friends, and all those who are interested, here is another update on life in Ottawa.

Stability has come

Koliah and I have entered our most stable time yet in Ottawa. Last week I received my first pay cheque as an intern, a lump sum payment, that really put us over the top financially. We instantly went from making "just enough" (and sometimes "not enough") to "more than enough". When we left Toronto we were in a pretty good place financially; at least we were up to date with our bills. Seeing that Koliah and I didn't have income for two months after moving we fell behind, but with my first pay cheque we were able to get completely caught up. We actually had enough money left over that we were able to afford the InStyler so my wife can do her hair; she hadn't been able to straighten her hair consistently since her flat iron broke in the middle of last year. We were also able to go out for dinner at Coaster's in Byward Market, and even buy a DVD. It's so rewarding to feel normal again and not underprivileged; like you have choices in life. When you don't have money you want everything you see, but when the money comes you actually realize you didn't really want the things, you just wanted the ability to choose. You wanted the ability to decide not to get something because it wasn't necessary, not because you're limited.

When you're used to not having money it's hard to spend large sums of money on yourself; you feel guilty. When I mentioned to my wife that we should by the InStyler so she could do her hair, I could sense some guilt in her heart at spending so much because we were so used to being limited. I told her that earlier that day I felt God challenging me. We always talk about the people we see ourselves becoming in the future; our ideal self. The way we will dress, the careers we'll have, and our overall image. God was speaking to my heart that if we never take the baby steps towards the people we see ourselves becoming it will never happen. That may mean buying one piece at a time. It's torture looking in the mirror everyday and not being pleased with what you see, especially as a woman.  It's torture knowing you have so much more potential in life and not making any steps towards it.

So I told my wife to not see this as simply spending money but as an investment in herself because she was worth it and it's important to take small steps closer to the woman she envisions herself to be.

Hill Watch: Anti-prorogation rally draws thousands to Parliament Hill

Hello Canada,

One of the most controversial subjects in the Canadian politics is the fairly recent prorogation of parliament.  Today as I went on the Hill so my wife could check her e-mail I stumbled on the anti-prorogation rally.

One of the first voices I heard was the voice of a woman talking about democracy and making anti-Harper statements.  "I know Stephen Harper is in Ottawa so maybe if we shout loud enough he can hear us."  She led them in shouting, "No!"  As I heard these words something in my heart and stomach was rattled.  Like the feeling when you're going to be sick.  I don't know what it was.

After my wife checked her e-mail we stepped back into the brisk yet sunny Ottawa cold to the sound of Jack Layton speaking in broken French.  I made out that he is drafting an anti-prorogation bill to limit the powers of the Prime Minister to prorogue parliament.

This rally reminded me of everything I hate about politics, eventhough there are other aspects that I love.  I hate that there is no absolute truth and truth is subject to public opinion, the media's opinion, and the party's opinion.  I hate that issues are politicized and that the people are caught in the middle and are often used as puppets.

Citizens all around the world have issues with their government.  The control of information and the media by the governments in China and North Korea.  Certain African governments stealing from the people, getting rich while the people get poorer.  In Zimbabwe if you speak against the government you go missing.  A few Middle Eastern governments oppress women in the name of religion.  In Canada our government prorogues parliament... Pause and think about that.  When you compare the issues we have to face with our government compared to other nations, prorogation doesn't seem that bad.

Ottawa Living: Day 142- "Living Under An Open Heaven"

Hello Canada and beyond,

It's been a while since I've given an update on our new life in Ottawa, mostly due to the fact that nothing new was happening.  That changed two Fridays ago.  A few months ago we talked with the friends we are living with and we came to an agreement that my wife and I would move in February.  That seemed far off so we expected things to change before then.  We had expected that I would move on from my internship to a full-time position, and as a result, would be in a position to move into our own place.  Not so.

For some reason we were under the impression that we would be staying where we are until mid to late February, but two Fridays ago, we realized the agreement was for February 1st.  So February 1st we needed to be in our own place, which gave us two weeks to find an apartment, and we had NO money.  At work that day I immediately felt pressure.  What are we going to do?  I told my co-worker, who is an elder at our church, about the problem so we decided to pray with my wife on speaker phone.  From that moment forward we felt a supernatural joy that we couldn't explain.  We didn't know where we would be living in two weeks but we couldn't stop laughing.  My co-worker gave me a Scripture that would take my joy to the next level. 

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Isaiah 55:1-2.

This Scripture is important for a few reasons.  First, God began to teach me some important lessons.  What stuck out to me was "you who have no money".  How can people buy without money?  In the world's system you acquire through money, but in God's system you acquire by his word.  The world says, "You can have what you can afford", but God says, "You can have what you say" and what God says.  This would prove to be a life changing lesson.  In God's economy you don't need money to acquire; all you need is a promise (or word) from him.  If God says it's time to acquire or do something you don't need the practical means; you need a promise and faith to believe it, and the practical means will follow.

A Myth About Proroguing Parliament

Hello Canada,

Many Canadians are upset at the fact that parliament has been prorogued.  "Politicians should have to work like everyone else", "Politicians don't deserve another vacation"- these are the sentiments that I've heard in the media and around the dining room table during the Christmas holidays.  Unfortunately, these statements point to the fact that some people don't understand the job of a Member of Parliament.

The truth is that Members of Parliament are still hard at work.  Parliamentary work is only a portion of an MP's job; the other part is serving constituents through the constituency office.  I know one MP who had seven appointments yesterday with constituents back in his riding.  I know others personally who are also hard at work in their constituencies. 

Yesterday as my co-worker and I were heading over to east block we ran into my MP.  When we asked him what he was doing on the Hill he replied that he was answering the phones in his office.  Angry constituents were calling to ask his staff why he was getting time off. When he answered the phone himself they realized he was at work.

Don't believe the hype, people.  Although parliament has been prorogued your Member of Parliament is still at work in their constituency, and some are still here on the Hill.  Let's look on the bright side.  This break provides Canadians with a unique opportunity.  MP's are usually more unavailable in the winter and available during the summer months.  This extended break from parliamentary activity means that your MP is at home and is more accessible to meet with and help you.

You may have other good reasons to not support the prorogation of parliament, but let it not be because "politicians don't deserve another vacation".  I encourage every Canadian to do their own research.  Get the facts for yourself and don't rely on the media to be your sole source for information.  You deserve to be well-informed.

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca

Bourne Family Blogs

Hello Everyone,

In a time where the internet has become more and more integrated into people's everyday lives, it's become increasingly important for professionals to blog.  Not only does it allow us to share information with the general public that they wouldn't know about otherwise, but you can hold traditional media outlets accountable.  In my humble opinion, more professionals should be looking to share their expertise with the world in the New Year.

If it were up to me my whole family would be blogging and sharing their thoughts with the world.  Both my wife and mother have recently joined the ranks of the millions of bloggers around the world.

My Window with Koliah

I'm excited to announce that my wife, Koliah, has decided to join me in the wonderful world of blogging.  Feel free to visit her blog, My Window, at http://www.koliahswindow.blogspot.com/.  A window is transparent and allows the person inside to look out and the people outside to look in.  That's the concept behind her site.  It's a transparent place where she can look out at the world and the world can see into her life.

Finance and Family with Pauline Bourne

My mother, a Financial Consultant with Legacy Capital Group (http://www.legacycapital.ca/), started blogging a few months ago about Finance and Family.  As a wife and mother for over 30 years, she not only understands finance, but how to manage a family successfully.  Visit http://www.financeandfamily.ca/ to gain insight from Pauline Bourne, "your Finance and Family Consultant". 

Conclusion

I'm proud of my wife and mother for taking this leap, and I'm hoping that other members of my family will join us.  Enjoy!

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca

Ottawa Living: Byward Market

Hello Canada and beyond,

Back in June when my wife and I moved our stuff to Ottawa ahead of our move this past fall we walked around the city to see what we were getting ourselves into.  One of the first sites that we took a liking to was Byward Market.  With the smell of fresh flowers, fish and produce, the sound of vendors and customers speaking in French, and the site of great restaurants, we felt as though we had taken a leap across the Atlantic Ocean into France.

My wife and I dined at Lapointe Restaurant where we tried the shrimp linguine and fish and chips, along with a glass of Vin Villa Vidal.  When you're in the Nation's Capital visit Byward Market- Ottawa centre for food and culture.

Check out the video and links below to discover Ottawa's Byward Market for yourself.

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca

Byward Market
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg7LUwRrtQY

President Obama visits Byward Market
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toKCBIbjH30

My Top 5 Christmas Specials

Hello Everyone,

I'd like to wish you and your family a great Christmas full of love and joy.  To celebrate this season I want to share my Top 5 Christmas Specials.  It's these shows that help to make me a kid again at Christmas!  Here we go:

#5: The Smurfs Christmas Special
#4: Frosty the Snowman
#3: A Charlie Brown Christmas
#2: Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol
#1: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

You can watch all of these shows at http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/articles/64/title/watch-101-classic-christmas-videos-online.  You can watch my absolute favourite Christmas show below- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Enjoy!

Kevin
Entrepreneur. Minister. Administrator.

www.businesschurchpolitics.ca