Mindy Lee Hopman

Sweetness 

My Jewish grandfather wanted to visit Israel. He passed away without making the trip, but I am sure his desire became my desire over the hours, which turned into days, weeks, months, and years we spent talking about our Jewish roots.

My desire to visit Israel became a reality with Region 14 (Florida) Fellowship of Christian Athletes who travel to Israel twice a year with our VP, Jason. 

Jon and I traveled with fellow Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) staff, FCA board members, FCA Home Team members, FCA friends, and family! Once we landed on Israeli soil, we found our people, boarded the bus, and headed to Jerusalem. 

After a cool drink of water on the bus, our Israeli guide, Chaim, treated us to dates and chocolate and hoped we would have a “sweet” experience while visiting his beloved home country. 

Struggles

Chaim, a stellar historian, reminded us of Judeo-Christian history, while Jason and Pastor Bob continued to bring the history to the present time with personal application. It has never been more apparent to me how intentional our God is with His planning and perfect timing. 

And God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.’ So he called his name Israel. Genesis 35:10 (ESV) 

After Jacob wrestled with God, God blessed him and changed his name to Israel. Israel was the father of all twelve tribes. In 1948, the state was declared and called Israel to represent all twelve tribes. 

In this fallen world, every one of us will go through a struggle or a storm. We can trust God is with us during it, and He will bring us through to the other side. Jason encouraged us to bring our “baggage” from our struggles and leave it all behind. 

Sunshine

Traveling to the Holy Land has been on my bucket list for a long time. God brought it together in the most memorable way. I knew I did not want to hurry through the experience but instead savor every moment, soak in the sights, sounds, and smells, and seek God’s presence. 

Chaim gently reminded my heart not to hurry as we drove and saw Gibeon in the distance. Joshua needed more time, so he asked God to give him extended daylight to see during the battle, and God heeded his voice. 

At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, ‘Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.’ And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14 (ESV)

In the most precious way, God once again opened the eyes of my heart. 

• Sweetness is found in a land filled with animosity, ambiguity, war, tragedy, and victory.
• Struggles are everywhere, but God blesses us when we seek His face and trust Him as He brings us to the other side.
• When our hearts cease to hurry, it feels as though the sun stands still, and at this moment, true beauty is found in His splendor. 

I can’t wait to share some priceless moments with you from this experience in this space.
Won’t you join me? 

Many blessings,