Hales Family 2010 Christmas Newsletter

Greetings from Mississippi. We hope and pray that this time of year finds you happy, healthy, and well. Our family has been extremely busy this year. Starting from the twins, Sam and Luther, they began the 2nd grade and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a certain man dressed in a red suit. Gabby, in the 6th grade, started band this year and is doing extremely well playing the trumpet like her older brother Zach. She is excited to start the young women’s program in church and to participate in the science Olympiad for her school. Matthew entered the 9th grade with much fanfare, if only in his mind. He plays drums in the marching band, indoor percussion squad, and is excited to march in the New Year’s Day Parade at Disney World. Zachary is a junior in high school and has become an accomplished trumpet player. He has made numerous honor bands and is looking forward to trying out for drum major this spring. Rainier returned home from Qatar this summer and has just finished his first semester at Southern Miss. Candy is finishing her personal training licensure and will complete her health and nutrition licensure this spring. She also is thoroughly enjoying her calling in church with the young women. Brent received tenure this year and is transitioning into his new role as department chair at Southern Miss. He still loves being bishop of the Petal Ward.

Time for a family update. Candy is doing well. She is going to be going to school online this fall to get her certificate in personal training and nutrition. She is very excited about it. I am excited for her too. She has wanted this for so long and she has a ready client base of people that want them to train her. She is now in the young women’s presidency and loves it. She is secretary which means that she gets to have fun but lacks a lot of the responsibilities. Perfect for her.

Zach is doing well. He is going to be a section leader in the band this year. I can’t believe that he is a junior in high school. It is fun though. He is dating and is having a great time doing so. He knows that he isn't supposed to single date so he spends a lot of time hanging out at friends' houses or our house. He is slimming up and his dating is pushing him to be more healthy. All in all, he is doing great.

Matt too is doing well. His band, “To Love A Monster” plays in various Christian Rock festivals throughout the Mid South. He is the drummer and does background vocals. They are getting really good. He will be getting his driving permit this fall so be prepared to stay off of the sidewalks. I am so scared to have him driving. He scares me period as he is growing up.

Gabby and the twins are also doing well. They are enjoying their summer. It is strange to think that by April of next year, Gabby will be in Young Women’s and the twins will be baptized. Sam and Luther are growing so fast. They are so funny together. All three of them talk about you all of the time. Of course the older boys do too. They started school and are doing great.

Rainier came home two months ago from the Army and is started going to Southern Miss this week. He is excited about it and has gone through the orientation program. He went on a month-long trip to see family and friends out west.

Well, I have completed almost 3/4th of the Old Testament this year. I am powering through it and hope to finish it this fall. I have been reading every day and feel the Lord’s influence in my daily existence. I am grateful for it and know that I have been guided and will continue to be guided in what the Lord would have me do.

The blessings of God are real and our family feels them every day. We are going to get pictures taken this weekend and I will put some up later.