So the other day I talked to one of my close friends, Jordan, who is newly married. We hadn't talked in a while so it was a complete shock to hear him talk way differently than he would have before he was married. He talked about how he was invited to go houseboating and how if his wife were in a similar situation he wouldn't want her to go boating with a bunch of guys. I marvelled at how because he is now married he now makes decisions based with his wife in mind as well. What's surprising is that prior to marriage Jordan would do pretty much anything his friends were doing, but now because of a better friend than all of these, his wife, appeasing the friend group pales in comparison. It's just amazing how much marriage can change a person. It's so true what Elder Scott said in last general conference, that "marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered."
Of course marriage, though it is great, is not a walk in the park either. My NY mission president would say that marriage is harder than a mission. My mission was real hard. And I'll agree that marriage is harder, but just as the mission saw great rewards and blessings that far outweigh the hardships endured, so too is marriage. I'm grateful that the Lord led me to Amelia and that as we strive to include the Lord in our lives, we'll continue to overcome all that comes our way and grow more in love and joy.
