You can follow my life here on this page. Check back for updates on where I am, what I am currently doing, and what I'm excited about. Thanks for stopping by! ~ Lysandra Elena
"What's the answer/To the question/I hear inside my heart?" (The Searching Song by LEB)
When I opened the page for My Utmost for this morning, gotta tell ya, it was quite a blow to my pride (once again lol). But then I realized that THIS is the answer to my question (see "The Girl vs. The Cynic").
It seems the theme recently has been God teaching me what it is to be humble, patient, kind, & gracious in the midst of difficulties. Being in a bind is NO EXCUSE to be unkind or nasty. When we're 'squeezed', the character of Christ should come forth. At least, that's the goal in my life.
If I'm in 'the valley' instead of on the mountaintop, that is not a license to despair. In no way am I allowed to give up hope. It has been strongly impressed upon me that this is where the battle takes place; in the midst of adversity. This is where character is shaped, by what I think, say, and do when life is hectic & stress levels are high.
Read the following with a willing heart. I pray that God would show you something fresh & new. <3,
LEB
Go to the reading for the second of October:
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Girl vs. The Cynic
Sometimes, my creative inspiration comes from the most random places...I mean c'mon, an old John Reuben cd, that happened to be on my old myspace blog, which I archived within the past couple of days...But somehow, it's totally relevant!
So I 'borrowed' the title of this entry- John Reuben's cd is entitled "The Boy vs. The Cynic". :)
Internal struggle...
Do I keep day dreaming as the 'girl', or do I shake myself out of it and become the rational 'cynic'?
Such a point of internal conflict.
I love to hope, to dream, to reach towards what I see as the ultimate goal. But, at the same time, the practical part of me says that I've got to do what makes sense right now. I can't keep thinking that everything will work out the way I wish it would...
So many times, it seems like my heart is pulling me in the right direction, but my head fights to go the opposite way. I'm just wondering if this internal 'battle' will end anytime soon. I don't like this feeling. It's uncomfortable. But maybe I'm not supposed to be comfortable. Hopefully this point of conflict will cause a stir within me to create a feistiness within my character; I've been passive for far too long.
This is one that just needs to be left to simmer for a little bit longer...I don't know the answer but I'm on the quest to find it.
--LB, The Adventurer.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Life can be unexpected
Wow it has been quite awhile since I've written.
This semester has been one heck of an adventure. I would not recommend taking the bulk of your classes online, nor cramming 11 credit hours out of 14 into an 8-week session...but by the grace of God I have made it through, not just scraping by, but triumphantly.
Since I worked so hard this semester, I've really been focusing on recharging during the break. This means basically resting up a lot, and really prioritizing my goals for the spring. It's a great time to reflect upon this past year, and to set my goals for the upcoming year 2010!
Hopefully, I'll have a great environment in which to reflect if it works out for us to go to the beautiful land of Florida (we shall see...this is still being determined...). Hoping so much that we can, because I sure do LOOOVE the sunshine ;D
~Lysandra Elena
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Levels of healing: going deeper.
I haven't written in so long, but that's ok. I'll just summarize basically the past month and go from there...
So I finished up my summer Biology class with an A (!!). I guess all that hard work paid off. It was really cool that I made some new friends too, that I will definitely stay in touch with. Holli, one of my pals from Bio, was so awesome. We would text/call each other and be like "what's the 2nd step of aerobic respiration?" You know, quiz each other and such. It was awesome.
Biology finished up on July 13th. Since then, I've pretty much been working part-time and trying to hang out as much as possible before school starts in a few weeks. Which reminds me that I've got to jump on some hardcore studying to pass a clep exam...err...need to get on that.
Another exciting thing is the meetings to plan for the GenIgnite "Ignite Groups." Basically, they are super small groups of 5-8 teens with a leader & co-leader. The purpose of these groups is to fellowship & grow together in their relationship with the Lord. Pretty awesome! I'm so excited because the leaders are also going to have fellowship groups, to encourage each other/learn more about how to lead, etc. I can't wait to see what God is going to do- the anticipation builds as we come closer and closer to August 23rd- the launch date. WHOO HOO!!
Last night was Engine, the weekly prayer/worship meeting for GenIgnite. The crazy thing was, I was already gonna be late because I finished up some things pretty late at work. Then I got to church, and the parking lot was caution taped off!! I was wondering what in the world happened...so I went to Executive Place thinking that the meeting might have been moved over there, and no one was there either. So I was sitting there, calling a bunch of ppl to see what was going on, but no one answered. Until Danny texted me and told me we had to park in the other parking lot at the Manna site...lol. So I got there with about 15 or 20 minutes left of the worship time.
God's presence was so apparent- it was like coming straight before the throne of grace--incredible. I fell to my knees in adoration of the God who created us, and has poured out His love for us to the extent of death on a cross for the sins of the world. Though we rejected Him, He set His love upon us and gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might be called sons and daughters of the living God. Sitting there, before the Lord, words failed me. I just kept telling God that I was so in AWE of Him and who He is, that I didn't have the words to describe just how incredible He is. Right there, in that place, God reminded me of a couple of people that I needed to forgive. He truly helped me to release them completely.
The funny thing is that I've forgiven these people before; so many times I've prayed for God to help me forgive them, etc. I've come to realize that forgiveness can come in levels. It's like when you forgive them the first time, it can be on the surface level, yet there may be residue of unforgiveness still. So God will come in again for a second cleaning, which will stir up the silt sitting in the depth of our hearts, and clean it out a second time. Maybe sometimes it's the third time that truly purifies us. That's simply a kind of analogy in my mind. Whichever way, whatever form the forgiveness comes in, God knows us. He truly does. He knows that we are but dust. He is so gracious. I thank Him for never failing, for speaking to my heart to forgive these people.
It is SO freeing to release them. I know that God has healed me on a deeper level than I even believed that He could, because He is so gracious and loving. After this healing took place in my heart, Shawn Withy-Allen said let's have just one minute of speaking praises to God's name out loud. I started praising Him and just pouring out a heart of praise. I'm not kidding- it felt like 20 seconds, but two minutes had actually passed!! It's so important to speak thanksgiving to God, and it reminded me that I definitely need to focus on that more.
God is ever faithful, ever true. He is near to the broken hearted.
If you have wounds that are so deep, you don't think they can ever heal, simply trust Him. He will never give you more than you can handle. He is the God who is there. He will walk with you through deep waters. He will hold your hand through the pain of remembering and dealing with the deepest hurts within your soul. Trust in God, and He will bring a cleansing in your heart and soul, the depth of which is sometimes beyond our comprehension. He is our Healer.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Birthday reflections
20 years old today. Two decades. It's so crazy to think of it in terms of decades.
It's sort of a long while, yet I feel like it's flown by- and it's only the beginning.
This morning, I woke up to my dad saying "Happy birthday, Little Monster." It was so sweet!
I've learned so much, and I've still much to learn I know. One thing that I want to keep learning my whole entire life is how to love others. It's so essential, and it's what Jesus did. He has loved us with an everlasting love, even to the point of dying on the cross for us. Oh that I could love others to that extent, to the point of being willing to die in their place. That is true love.
Very special last night- a night of prophecy by Michael Cotten at V2- it was so cool to see God speaking through him into people's lives, to see them touched as they received a word from the Lord. Afterwards, I asked if he could pray for me because it was my birthday the next day. I was blown away by the things that he said. Firstly, he said that God has given me a resiliance and a flexibility to bend, but not break. This is coupled with an endurance to run the race and not grow weary. He also prophecied over my future husband and my career! It was pretty cool.
Thank you Lord for giving me life, for sustaining me. You alone are good and just. You have been my sustenence through it all, through the storm and in the brightest of sunshine. I would not be who I am today if it weren't for knowing you Jesus. I don't even know if I would be here today if it weren't for your hand upholding me through the darkest of hours. I love you Lord and I look forward to the next 20 years with You, and the next and the next.
~Lysandra Elena
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Recap of our trip
Wednesday July 30th- We went to the park downtown and passed out flyers for an outreach the following Saturday.
We went to a high school that was having a Senior fundraiser, with games and a local radio station hosting the event. It was very exciting to perform there because the energy of the crowd was so high. We were able to do our Intro (skating and dancing together in one amazing piece), as well as our dance "Forgiveness." The students truly enjoyed it and we were excited to see them respond so positively.
In between schools, we grabbed some lunch. We went onto an elementary school performance and that went well too.
Thursday, July 31st- Breakfast at 7am, Performance at an elementary school
Performance at a private school, Pasos de Joventud. It went well and the kids were really interactive. We enjoyed playing with them and the kids responded positively. The principal thanked us and invited us back again.
Friday, August 1st- We went to San Jose de la Montana- at first, the students weren't very receptive, but we prayed and pressed through. God really touched their hearts, and after we performed, many kids told me that they enjoyed the dancing and how it really had meant a lot to them.
That night, we performed at Oasis Cristiano at Excelensia Mercedes Sur.
Afterwards, we had a time of fellowship at the Pastor's house. The teens from the church showed us a dance that they put together, and it was really fun to watch. I enjoyed getting to visit with all of them and can't wait to see them again.
Saturday, August 2nd-
Outreach at Centro Cristiano de Heredia. It was in the morning, and the turnout was mostly skaters since there was a skate competition and some cool prizes such as a board & trucks. When it started raining, they almost cancelled the competition, but it stopped just long wnough for them to finish up. We came back to the hotel for lunch, then pedicures. Then we went to McDonald's to call & e-mail our families.
Sunday, August 3rd-
We went to the 7:30AM service at Centro Cristiano de Heredia. We danced for the first and second services during the offering, then we went to the soccer game. It was La Liga vs. Los Heredianos. La Ligua won!!! Then we went shopping at the mall with Gabhy and David, two locals that often hung out with us. That night, we rented Martian Child and had a movie night. Afterwards, we prayed for Gabhy, and God really ministered to her. It was cool to see God touch her life, and let us be used for His kingdom in the process.
Monday, August 4th-
We went to San Jose with Pastor Ignacio to see the church plant that our home church, Manna, is helping to start up. We prayed for him and took pictures. Then we went shopping in downtown San Jose. We met up with Gabjy and went to a cute restaurant for lunch. It had Tico food (that is, food that is typical of Costa Rica- Rice and beans, soup, small coffee, and a guanabana juice). We continued shopping, then caught a bus back to Heredia.
Tuesday, August 5th-
Shopping downtown Heredia
Dinner with the Pastor of Centro Cristiano and his family, Freddy y Anna Soto, Magda's family, David y Sandra, and the team. It was very special when we prayed for them afterwards.
Wednesday, August 6th-
We packed up our luggage in David's truck- it sure was piled high! Our flight was supposed to be at 10pm, but instead it was at 11 or 12pm. So we began our journey back to the US. It's always a good time to reflect while you're flying back home, and that's what I did- along with catching some shut eye ; )
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Here are my journal entries, with comments, from our trip this past summer.
7/30/08
We're in Costa Rica!
When we started practices, it seemed like we'd never get here, but here we are half-way through. Here's a recap of our activities so far:
Wednesday, July 23rd
Arrive at Manna Church at 2AM (!)
Depart for the Raleigh airport. Our flight was supposed to take off at 7am- but it was cancelled due to inclement weather. At first, we were told we wouldn't get a flight until the next day. Then, God worked it out so we all made it (on two different flights), to Atlanta. Our flight to Costa Rica was also delayed a few hours, so we finally made it into San Jose, CR at 12:30am (our time). All in all it was almost 24 hours later that we arrived in Costa Rica. What a trip! But we sure did see God's hand in orchestrating a flight to Atlanta, and the last leg of the trip into Costa Rica. By the time we got to Liberia, CR, it was 3AM (our time- 25 hours later...) We stayed at a hotel called Daisyta (it was beautiful).
Thursday, July 24th
We got up super early and went to two schools: Teocali, a bilingual private school, and another public school. At Teocali, they had a cultural presentation for their national holiday, and they even let us join in their broom dance- where the person left without a dance partner had to take the broom and sweep. It was quite an experience. When we came back to the hotel, we rested and then had some team bonding time swimming in the pool.
Friday, July 25th- We went to the festival and bought delicious ice cream treats. The vendors had tiny little carts, with an ice block that they would shave the ice off of into a cup, pour syrup on top, put some powdered milk in, and then pour sweetened condensed milk on top. There was a parade of all the schools, with different displays, etc. After the parade was over, we went back to our hotel, moved our belongings into El Salon de Victoria, the building they've rented for Centro Cristiano de Liberia, and got settled there. That night we went to the rodeo, which was pretty cool. The riders would come out on the bull and start hitting their spurs into the bulls sides and the bull would buck maybe 6-10 times, then the rider would either jump off or be thrown off. When the bull had calmed down a little bit, three men on horseback lassoed the bull and brought it back into the pen. I was glad it wasn't the other kind of rodeo where they actually kill the bull because that's just cruel.
Saturday, July 26th-
Outreach at the park; RUSH performance.
We went early on Saturday morning to set-up for the outreach. When we started, there was a small crowd watching and the response was very positive. After the performance, when we were packing up, a gentleman told us that we were very good and he really enjoyed the music and dancing. Some skateboarders also had a chance to try out our "patineta's" boards. They sure liked that : ) Another positive thing that happened was that a man from a local newspaper interviewed Magda, one of our team leaders and also a native of Costa Rica, about what we were doing. He said that if we come again next year, he wants to go around with us to each school and do a big story on why we do what we do.
Later that day, we prepared for an outreach at El Salon de Victoria by handing out flyers. I walked a few blocks around the general area with Carlos and Andrew. At the outreach itself, Audriana shared the good news about Jesus and we can have a personal relationship with him. Several people either rededicated their lives to the Lord, or came to know him for the first time. This is why we do what we do. We wanted to see people come to know the Lord, and the lost ones come back to Him. We also had fun teaching everyone a dance during worship, and it was exciting to interact with the natives. I really enjoyed it.
Sunday, July 27th-
We traveled by bus & car to La Playa Hermosa (The beautiful beach), a gorgeous paradise on the Pacific with crystal blue waters. It was breathtaking!! After a relaxing day playing soccer, swimming, playing water volleyball, and laying out, we departed by bus to Heredia. It was a long trip. We almost didn't make it that night because our bus broke down. It started smoking, and we thought something was wrong, and our leader was wise enough to tell us to run to the other bus. We were crammed like sardines, most of us standing, for 2 more hours. I sat down after awhile but it really wasn't that much more comfortable. We finally got to San Jose, and a schoolbus that had been rented for us took us the rest of the way to our hotel paradise, Hotel Ciebeles San Rafael de Heredia. It was like coming home, since I stayed at this same hotel last year. I ran in and went right to bed.
Monday, July 28th-
We all slept in after our many adventures the day before.
We went to the mall and window shopped for awhile. The Paseo de las Flores (mall) has a huge movie theatre in it as well, and the movies only cost about $4.50 each. That's half of what it is here- so we went to see The Dark Knight. It was pretty good, if a bit intense at times.
Tuesday, July 29th-
Performed at an elementary school and Samuel High School. Came back to the hotel for some seriously needed rest.
To be continued...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Countdown to Takeoff!
Well, my bags are packed and ready to go. Last nite, we had a time to bring all of our bags, weigh them, as well as have all the parents rally around us in prayer. It was a stellar, encouraging time. Tomorrow at 2 (AM!!) we will meet at the church and drive to Raleigh for our flight to Atlanta, then San Jose, Costa Rica. It will be a busy schedule- as soon as we get there, we're taking a bus to Guanacaste.
Here's an itinerary for our trip:
Wednesday, July 23rd- Arrive at 12pm in San Jose, Costa Rica.
3pm board bus to Guanacaste- we will arrive around 8pm.
Thursday, July 24th- 9am-12pm- presentation at the private school "Teocali"
Afternoon: There is a possibility that we will visit a public school.
Friday, July 25th- We will enjoy the parade and festivities
Afternoon: Street evangelism
Saturday, July 26th- 9am-12pm- Presentation at the park
Evening: evangelism at the park.
Sunday, July 27th- Beach/ Return to Heredia late evening
Monday, July 28th- 9am-12pm - Presentation at public high school "Samuel"
Tuesday, July 29th- Presentation at the Vocational High School.
Wednesday, July 30th- Presentation at the "Manel Benavides" high school.
Thursday, July 31st- Presentation at the "Liceo de Heredia" (this is one of the first high schools in Costa Rica. It's over 100 years old!!)
Friday, August 1st- 6-9pm "Revolutionary Love" cards at the local University/ Program with a local church.
Saturday, August 2nd- Rush rally from 9am- 12pm
Meeting with the youth group from Centro Cristiano de Heredia.
Sunday, August 3rd- Presentation at the 10 am service (Centro Cristiano de Heredia).
Monday, August 4th- Visit "Sarchi", there we will do a program with a local church
Tuesday, August 5th- Canopy tour
Wednesday, August 6th- Visit San Jose in the morning and afternoon
7pm- Arrive at the airport
Team departs for the US at 10pm.
So there 'tis. And now you know.
~Lysandra
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
This is the final piece of the puzzle.
Production, that is. We are working pretty much every day this week on our dramas & dances. Basically the whole production is coming together, hence the title of this entry. I am so excited to see everything coming together as we head into the final push before we leave for Costa Rica. We have incredible opportunities this year, such as an invitation to perform at a huge national festival. I can't wait until we're there! Yo quiero ir a Costa Rica ahora!! I'll try to put some videos up of our production pieces so you can experience them for yourself ; )
-Lysandra Elena
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Travel Schedule
Hi everyone,
Well, now is when the real adventure begins!
We already have dances prepared, as well as skate stunts.
Now we have to tie it all together with dramas (also know as "human videos"). The common theme that the team has agreed upon for our production is Passion; really how God's full and abundant life gives us a passion for God and seeing the lost come to know Him!! Last year in Costa Rica, our dominant theme was Purpose- what does God have in store for you and how does that tie in with your overall destiny? It was really amazing to see lives touched. As I write this, a particular ministry time comes to mind. We were at a tiny church (literally less than 25 people), and there was a girl there that was so beautiful, but God made it apparent to me that she had such a vulnerability because she was so tenderhearted. I started praying for her, as did another team member, and she started weeping. I believe that God was truly healing her brokenness and restoring the dreams that He put within this young woman when she was younger. This was one life that God truly touched; I can only hope that many more young people experienced the power of God's love while we were there! I can't wait to share so many wonderful, life-giving insights that God has imparted to me within the past year since Costa Rica '07. Because *Passion: Costa Rica 2008*, HERE WE COME!!
~Lysandra Elena ; )~
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Costa Rica Team '08
Hi Everyone!
This summer a group of teens and adult leaders will embark upon a journey. We will be ministering in Costa Rica from July 21st through August 6th, 2008. We look ahead with much anticipation and excitement as the dates for the trip draw nearer and nearer. Last night, we had a team meeting that consisted of a barbeque and a mini-production planning meeting, as well as a time of prayer. It was awesome to see God impart His vision, individually as well as corporately. Please keep us in your prayers- that we may see the vision that God is sending us out with, and have the "wings" (by God's grace), to get there!
Blessings,
Lysandra Elena
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