Monday, November 2, 1 p.m.

I’m sitting in the San Francisco Airport, remembering why I find international travel such a challenge! We just got off of a grueling 14-hour flight with screaming babies who didn’t have a clue how annoying they were being, a loud hateful woman who surely had a clue how annoying she was being (but obviously didn’t care), and the most fierce turbulence I’ve ever experienced on a plane. I actually grabbed my 17-year old daughter’s hand (who was turning green from the mid-air roller coaster ride) and said, “Let’s pray!” What I really meant was, “Oh my gosh, this might be our last prayer ever so let’s make it a good one!” We wanted to kiss the ground when we landed. And here we sit, exhausted, emotionally fragile, and have another 4-hour flight to look forward to before seeing our special guys at DFW Airport — husband Greg, son Matthew, & boyfriend Brian (obviously Erin’s boyfriend, not mine!)

I’ve occasionally wondered if the intense international flight experiences are really worth all the effort & energy required. But once I arrive at my destination and God begins working in us and through us, I’m reminded why I love what I do.

Some of the highlights from Sydney include seeing hundreds of new bras hanging on a clothesline in front of Christian City Church in “support” of their African women’s mission: Operation Uplift (clever, huh?) and watching over 1,500 women of all ages wave white flags (Kleenex) in surrender of all of their sexual and emotional baggage – Wow!

Yeah, it’s worth having the 300 lb. man in front of me press his seat firmly into my kneecaps for hours at a time when I eventually get to see hundreds of women fall to their kneecaps in worship of the God I so love to talk about from stage. The multiple hours of sleeplessness are a small price to pay to see women inspired to go home and make love to their husbands with reckless abandon. And the bland airplane cuisine is a frequent reminder of what Jesus said: “I have food that no one knows about – doing my Father’s will!” (SEV – Shannon Ethridge version)

Am I satisfied with the traveler’s life? You bet. What a posh calling compared to some pastors & missionaries! I may be miserable in the moment, sitting here in the airport, but once I have a steamy shower… and a homemade meal… and a nice long nap to relieve the jet lag, I’ll be ready to go again, ready for the privilege of wearing God’s nametag once again.

Next stop? Sugarland (Houston), Texas for the Girls Reflecting Glory Conference Nov. 13th and 14th — which thankfully will NOT require an international flight!

Pressing on with gratitude,
Shannon