The Hard Part

"This is the hard part." 

We often talk about what is actually "hard" about living here in Albania. 

Although I tell you about buying bloody meat and the heating system exploding and constantly being confused at what is going on around me, those things are not "hard" as much as they are humorous.

They are just life. The life that we have chosen and ultimately the life that God has called us to. 

If we were in America there would be thousands of little things like that as well. They might look different but there are struggles no matter where you live and no matter what your life mission is. 

They are just life. 

We laugh about the little things. The growing pains of learning and living in a new culture. 

The frustration of acclimating to a new culture is far outweighed by the joy of the ministry here. 

We can't imagine being anywhere else and we feel so priviledged. 

What IS hard... 

Is when everyone is together. 

Thanksgiving when all the girls (mom, aunt, grandma, sisters and cousins) are all together cooking and I'm not there to cook with them. We always tell the same stories and make fun of each other every time we are together. I think we laugh harder every year and this year I so badly missed laughing with them. 

It's when one of my best friends is getting married and I'm not there to stand beside her as she says her vows, or to help her prepare, or to take care of the last minute details. 

It's when Cory's family goes to Disneyland for his mom's 60th Birthday and we aren't there to celebrate and tell her how special she is to us. 

It's not the day to day life that I miss as much because in all reality I wouldn't see them every day anyways.

It's the times when every one is together for celebration. It almost feels wrong that we aren't there. 

That is THE hard part. 

As in the only thing that is hard, really. 

Not going to Trader Joe's once a week, is nothing compared to this. 

And it's easy to forget when everyone is going about their busy, daily life. But when we see everyone together we say, "Oh ya, that is the hard part." 

And even still, 

The knowledge that we are in the center of God's will brings peace that passes understanding. 

The reality of watching Christ change lives and being a part of His work brings incredible joy. 


We are watching Christ transform people even as we approach this Christmas season. 

THIS girl told me the other day when we were getting coffee, that she is different, people are telling her she is different, and that it's because the Holy Spirit is working in her. 

Her life circumstances haven't changed. 

She still has a very difficult home life.

 But she has gone from a girl who barely smiled and seemed scared of her own shadow, to one that has joy and confidence and translates for me in the girls Bible study. 

The other day a guy who Cory has been discipling and who has been working through his faith very seriously said "the world is hostile to us," speaking of believers. Cory asked him if he'd been listening to MacArthur and this boy said he's been listening to two MacArthur sermons a day! He is in high school! He is beginning to realize what it means to fully give your life to Christ and it is exploding his worldview. 

And when I can't cook with my sisters, or be in my friends wedding, or epically celebrate Cory's mom's birthday, I think of these kids and these words that come out of their mouths. 

Because I wouldn't want to miss those for anything. 

I'm so thankful the Lord has blessed us with family and friends that love and support us. That encourage us and challenge us. That don't make us feel guilty for leaving them or bad about taking our babies away from them. They are constantly giving to us, praying for us and loving our babies from afar. 

So, while we miss those we love deeply, we know that that is the hard part. The part that we have to give to the Lord and trust him with. 

Everything else is pure joy. 

Also, this weekend marks 6 months in Albania for the Cramer's! Cory made a little video for our update and if you didn't get to see it HERE it is. Just to thank those who love, pray for and support us, here is a little picture of our life! Thankful for you all!