I know we say it each year, but the months sure seem to click by. 2023 has been no different. Susan noted to me that that this is our 38th Holiday Family Letter. Wow! It’s an incredible journal to go back and read each one. We started in 1986 after graduating from BYU. Oh, how the years have flown by.
On November 19th Susan and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary. When Susan and I got married we adopted a favorite saying, “Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true.” Our dreams are continuing with an adventure to Tacoma Washington this next year. Yep, we are moving. Stay tuned here for details.
Susan is my best friend, and the love of my life. I would marry her all over again. Her goodness is on display each day, whether its working with clients, ministering to others around her or being the acclaimed Nana. As empty nesters with 12 grandchildren, we are enjoying this phase of life. We have always believed in being, “anxiously engaged in a good cause.” This quest is taking us to the Pacific Northwest, to help others make and keep sacred covenants throughout their lives. Our hearts are centered in Christ and remain steadfast in knowing His will and in elevating others wherever we are.
Our Take on Southern Utah
We love it in Southern Utah and have made a whole new group of friends over the past two years. St. George is not an unfamiliar place for us. Both Susan and I have deep family experiences and connections here. We were tenderly reminded of this while in the St. George Temple for the re-dedication this month. In his remarks, Elder Jeffery R. Holland mentioned John D.T. McAllister, Susan’s great, great grandfather, and his 1877 involvement with the apostle Wilford Woodruff regarding the proxy baptisms of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Presidents in this historic pioneer temple. What an amazing event in this dispensation.
Susan’s grandparents moved here in the 1970’s, building a home one block from the St. George Temple and my parents owned a second home here for 40+ years. So you could say we’ve spent a lot of time here over the past many years and have seen the valley change as its popularity has really grown. With five national parks within a short distance there is no shortage of things to do. The beautiful vistas and wonderful people make it an idyllic spot.
Susan’s parents are here in St. George along with my brother Myles and his wife Sue. Being nearer to my Mom in Provo has been helpful. Dad passed 2+ years ago, but Mom is doing quite well, managing a busy life in the Provo home. Of course we miss Adam and Christy in Corona, CA, but it has been helpful to be closer to our older parents in the Mountain West. When we scoot up to see my Mom (only 3 ½ hours north) we can also visit Austin & Chandra (Orem) and Annie & Aaron (Lehi). For us, we are in the perfect spot.
What’s Happening at McKell Partners
McKell Partners continues to grow with technology allowing us to connect with clients across the nation. Our team launched a YouTube channel this summer in our on-going desire to help educate pre-and-post retirees in search of financial peace. We have nearly 20 videos posted and growing. With over 11,000 baby boomers retiring every day, we remain committed to help others better navigate their financial lives in these turbulent times.
We continue to add new educational collateral like monthly online web courses on topics such as investment management, financial wellness and protecting one’s assets from a chronic illness. New planning articles and white papers have been added as well with several online free reports available on educational topics like Long-Term Care, Dementia and our Financial Survival Wellness Check Up. It has certainly been a busy year!
Yep! A New Adventure in the Pacific Northwest
As noted, our life is changing once again. In late January 2024 we will be moving to Gig Harbor, Washington to serve in the Tacoma Washington Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We will be serving a service mission so our travel back to Southern California for work can continue. We will trade a 5 hour drive for a 2 ½ hour flight. Finally a way to use all those frequent flyer miles.
We feel like we are trading one idyllic place for another. Our dear friends, Kurt and Katie Brown are serving in Tacoma as Mission Leaders. We will be joining them to help with the mission and any assistance they need as they lead 200+ missionaries in Washington State. What a wonder to help missionaries root the restored gospel of Jesus Christ deep into their hearts.
My time in the Philippines as a missionary many years ago was a magical time for me with so many great experiences and lessons learned, days never to be forgotten. As President Nelson has said, “There is no greater work than the gathering of Israel.”
Susan and I had a dramatic experience in early November as we were evaluating all the logistics of moving to Washington. You can imagine an endless list of questions, most principally regarding where to live. We traveled out in November to participate in zone conferences and planned an extra day to find lodging.
Don’t Miss this Recent Blog Post
We had a miraculous experience guiding us to the right spot. I wrote about this spiritual experience in a previous blog post. I titled the post, “You Are Not Alone.” Find out where we will be living for the next 2 ½ years. Click HERE. We bear witness that our Heavenly Father is aware of us and is in the details of our lives.
A Surprise B-Day Party Like No Other! – This past May, we all gathered in St. George for Susan’s surprise birthday party. It was one of those big birthdays. I won’t say which one, but it wasn’t 50. Ha! We rented the historic Whitehead Home in downtown St. George. The kids did a great job making all the arrangements and keeping it a secret from Susan.
The Cars, The Cars, The Cars – Austin invited me up to a July Car Show in American Fork, UT called Steal Days. I trailered the Mustang up and he had his 64’ Ford F-100 PU there. So much fun having our cars side by side and enjoying father-son moments.
Hole in the Rock – We made it to the top of Hole in the Rock from the water’s edge at Lake Powell. Such and amazing story of Mormon Pioneers taming the west. One of our ancestors, John Franklin Norton was in the Hole in the Rock company. My Grandmother on my Mother’s side was a Norton. Their faith continues to inspire me. Pictured: Mark, Matt, Sherri, Sue, Myles.
Should be Back on The Road Soon – It wouldn’t be a year without fiddling around with an old classic. Austin is here working on a new project, a highly factory optioned 1966 Ford Mustang GT Coupe. He found this one in an auction in Colorado. We installed a new suspension under the car, all new brakes, a new fuel tank, pump, rebuilt carb, plugs, wires, alternator, coil, battery, interior refresh and got the motor running after about 10 years of sitting. Austin and I are having fun bringing this one back to life.
Dreams Do Come True – But this time, we are not working on a cold garage floor. We affectionally call this place “The Cave.” It’s our own little workshop just five minutes from our home in St. George. The lift is a dream come true! Took about a year to build, but we are finally out of the storage unit in Hurricane, UT. The Cave is in a small Hobby Hut community of 30+ other private owners with their own little places to fiddle. Making some great friends. One guys builds model train sets. Amazing!
Boston Here We Come – In September we went with Aaron and Caroline to Boston, MA and then up the coast to Bar Harbor, MN. A Red Sox game at Fenway, the Boston Freedom Trail, a trip to Harvard, biking Arcadia National Forest, chillin’ in Bar Harbor and a ton of great food was had by all. Susan would say that her favorite place was Beacon Hill Books and Café. She and Caroline were in heaven as they went from one antique store to another. I’m sure we will visiting Boston again. Oh, and Aaron and Caroline are still in Fresno, CA. Aaron got called to be the Bishop of his Ward this year.
Our adult children and spouses are all doing well. The 12 grandkids continue to grow and are keeping their parents busy. It’s amazing all the activities they are involved in and the love they feel for each other. Our cup truly runneth over! Suffice to say we are grateful for their testimonies and commitment to the Savior and to live covenant filled lives.
We are truly blessed to call you our dearest friends and family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the Lord bless you in all your 2024 endeavors!
God Bless,
Mark & Susan McKell
Our new address in Washington will be:
5913 Wollochet NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
I am just a guy who loves life, my wife, my family, my God and my country. I want to pay it forward and make a positive contribution inspiring others to make great life decisions. Growing McKell Partners, a full service wealth management and financial planning practice, is also my passion.
I love a great game of golf, tennis or chasing the sunset on my Cannondale. An evening convertible ride and a bowl of Haagen Dazs peanut butter chocolate ice cream are my go-to stress relievers.
I am just a guy who loves life, my wife, my family, my God, and my country. I want to pay it forward and make a positive contribution inspiring others to make great life decisions.