Approximately 420 AD, Moroni a Book of Mormon prophet, asked the following question:
“Have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven…? Behold, I say unto you nay, for it is by faith that miracles are wrought. Wherefore, if these things have ceased, woe be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief…” Moroni 7:27, 37
If you read our holiday message, you know that we recently moved from Southern Utah to the Pacific Northwest. We now live in Gig Harbor, Washington. Although we are still working full time, we came here to serve in the Tacoma Washington Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We spend our extra time supporting the over 220 full-time missionaries who serve here. I am serving as a counselor to the Mission President and Susan is working with the Mission My Plan program. More on that later.
It’s been a long year of preparation to get here. When we look back we are amazed how the Lord has provided a path for us to be in the northwest. A couple months back I shared a miraculous story of how we found lodging in Gig Harbor. We knew no one in the area and lacked any connections to find a place to live. It was an incredible experience where through personal revelation the Holy Spirit guided two couples to be at the same place at the same time to bring about God’s purposes. 10 minutes earlier or 10 minutes later and all would have been frustrated.
If you have not read that story it is found in a previous post titled, “You Are Not Alone.”
This experience was just one of many miraculous experiences we had in the final months leading up to our departure to Washington. Knowing we were going to be gone for over 2 years, there were a host of pressing issues we needed to work through. Some were clear, but many were foggy.
One of many concerns was a piece of property we owned in Midway, Utah. The property had been for sale for over a year without even a call. We felt it was priced right, but had no lookers. Selling the lot was important to help fund our mission in Tacoma.
In early August without the property sold, we made the decision to move forward with faith. Amidst all our concerns it was clear from sincere prayer that Washington was where the Lord wanted us. We felt that somehow, if we exercised faith, the property issue would be resolved, but we didn’t know how. I remember thinking, “Well, faith proceeds the miracle, so just move forward.” If you remember Peter’s experience, this would be our moment of getting out of the boat.
Some friends invited us to come to Lake Powell on a houseboat in early August. During our evening devotionals we shared our plans with the group to serve a mission. I remember looking at Susan and quietly wondering, “How was all this going to come together?”
On our long drive home from Lake Powell, we got a call from our realtor. We hadn’t spoken for weeks. It was about the property. He said he had an interested party for the lot. They were willing to pay near full price and wanted to close with cash in 10 days. I was stunned. We were speechless! I looked at Susan and said, “This is a God thing!” The transaction closed and we both knew this was no coincidence.
After returning home, there was another issue that needed attention. We owned a two seater ATV Razor we knew would be better sold than sitting in our garage collecting dust for the next two plus years. It was in great working order, but needed a new home.
September was a crazy month of travel. Two work weeks to California and a trip to Boston late in the month. Amidst the pressures of time, I took a bunch of pictures and asked my father-in-law for some help getting it sold. He placed the ad and the first person that called bought the machine. I have bought and sold a lot of cars and toys over the years. It doesn’t go like this. Again, speechless!
Another issue was a rare 1966 Mustang GT restoration project we were working on. If you know me, I have been fiddling with old cars since I was a teenager. It has been a great family hobby. My son Austin and I were working on the car in the midst of a flip. We had purchased the car in late 2022. Had I known we would be leaving on a mission so soon, I would have never purchased the vehicle, but here we were.
Austin would come down from Utah County every month or so and we would work on the car together. These are great father-son memories, but we were running out of time. I was resigned to simply leave the car unfinished and re-engage when we returned. Not ideal, but unfortunately that seemed like the only conclusion. I privately yearned to have the project finished, but there seemed no path towards resolution.
In early December (weeks away from leaving for Gig Harbor), my son Aaron called from Fresno, CA and said, “Hey, I think I have a client who is looking for a classic Mustang. I will send you the contact information.” I remember thinking how odd it was for Aaron to call. With an incredibly busy life, he was not tracking our progress on the car. I remember thinking, “The car is not done yet. Finding someone who wants to finish it is unlikely. When am I going to find time to call the person back or even take pictures of it, etc.? To top it off the “would be” buyer is a state away.” Unfortunately, my self-talk was less than optimistic.
Knee deep in boxes, a couple weeks clicked by. We were prepping for Christmas, traveling back and forth to California for work and unfortunately suffering through the loss of two family members to cancer. Sitting in a Costco parking lot late one evening I got a call from someone from Visalia, CA wanting to know about the Mustang. I didn’t have the car advertised. I suddenly realized, “It was Aaron’s client!”
A couple days later Randy and Renee drove nine hours arriving on a weekend afternoon to check out the car. We enjoyed visiting with them and believe we will be friends forever. After inspecting the car up on my lift and taking a spin, Randy said, “I want to buy the car, but can I give you a deposit and pick it up in a few months?” Now, I have sold a lot of classic cars over the years and that was an odd request. But, Susan and I had already scheduled a summer family reunion back in St. George for late July. Their proposed timeframe miraculously matched ours. Once again, coincidence? Not hardly!
But, there is more!
We had decided not to rent our home while on a mission. We had run the numbers (that’s CPA speak) and felt leaving it vacant was the right decision. Having to put everything in storage and deal with a stranger in our home seemed too much, even though it would be a financial hardship to leave it vacant. Then, Susan was with her workout group one morning and a friend mentioned her parents were looking for a furnished place to rent. They had just returned from their third church mission and were trying to decide on a permanent residence between Arizona or Southern Utah.
Again, “Really?” I thought.
We set up a meeting and met Dave and Christina, simply wonderful, delightful people. We both felt at ease with them in our home. It was like we had known them forever. Their timing was flexible with our departure. All of their furnishings were in storage so we didn’t have to move all our stuff, etc.
Again, another tender mercy of the Lord.
Other miracles happened in our business. We had known for a year that we needed to add another key person to our team. Living in a very tight labor market I was fretting over a long and costly interview process and wondered if we could find the right person. In short, we found Maria after placing an employment ad on LinkedIn for only a week . Out of over 50 resumes, I conducted five phone interviews and extended just one office visit. Maria, with 17 years of experience with Merrill Lynch, started with McKell Partners in January. She already feels like family. I’ve hired hundreds of people over the years in my corporate career; it typically does not work like this.
To say the least, the tender mercies of the Lord have been over flowing in our lives. We are humbled by these experiences. We know that our Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and is in the details of our lives. We can see His hand guiding us through our move to the mission field.
Please don’t think that Susan and I are special people. We are not! God is no respecter of persons. See Acts 10:34 If you get to know us you will conclude that we are just like everyone else. I have learned that God pours out His spirit when we draw unto Him in faith, with unselfish diligence, obedience and a sincere heart with real intent to go and do. It is the essence of the scripture’s promise, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” D&C 88:63
But, understanding the Lord’s timing can try our faith and cause each of us to pause. Elder Jeffery R. Holland has said, “Yes, God can provide miracles instantaneously, but sooner or later we learn that the times and seasons of our mortal journey are His and His alone to direct.”
Although we have seen miracles happen in our lives recently, we have certainly had seasons where it seemed like sincere prayers have gone unheard. Challenges have persisted and turbulent storms have raged, but as trying years have passed, answers have eventually come. We have learned that often we just need to wait on the Lord.
These months have reminded us of the importance of exercising faith in Jesus Christ. Peter had to get out of the boat, before the miracle occurred. The Children of Israel had to put their feet in the water first, before the River Jordan would part. We simply must act in faith, believing that we shall receive. The scripture says, “Open your mouth and it shall be filled.” D&C 33:10 It does not say, “I will fill your mouth and then open it.”
Again, Moroni said, “… faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Ether 12:6
If you are struggling or facing hardships we extend our love and encouragement that all will be well. Simply keep moving forward in faith being diligent in what you know to be true. We have learned that personal revelation often happens on the run. Seek guidance through prayer and listen intently for that still small voice. Sometimes the impressions can be so subtle, but they are there. Our loving Heavenly Father wants to communicate with us, but we need to follow the counsel in Psalms, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10
We declare that miracles have not ceased! We have witnessed a series of them in our lives this year. In reflection, we feel this outpouring of grace speaks to the importance of the errand we are on to help bring souls to Christ. We bear testimony that there is no greater work than assisting in the gathering of Israel.
As we get closer to the making and keeping of sacred covenants, it’s amazing what starts to happen.
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.