As the Clan Turns

Well once again, I have fallen down on the job.  So much has happened since I last wrote.  I have taken a new job as Associate Dean of Extension at the University of Minnesota.  So as a result, I moved to Minneapolis at the end of September.  Candy and some of the kids will join me after Christmas.

Zachary is finishing out the semester and will not go to school next semester.  He needs to have some sinus surgery and as a result, he will be unable to play the trumpet for three months.  As he is on a trumpet scholarship, it is not going to be possible for him to keep it.  He is working with Southern Miss to come back and return to school after his 2-year church mission.  He plans to put in his papers after the first of the year.  He hopes to return in time to resume his studies in the fall of 2015.  Meanwhile, he will work with the Petal High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble to prep for their run at the World Championships in Dayton, OH in the spring of next year.

Matthew is going to finish the school year at Petal High School.  Just last week, the band took the 6A Mississippi State Marching Band Championships as Grand Champion after a 5 year stretch of 2nd places.  He was on snare in the drum line and is very excited for the Indoor season to begin.  He will join us this summer in Minnesota and finish his senior year before embarking on his church mission in the summer of 2014.

Gabby is 13 and well, 13.  She is crazy busy with school, band, church, and her friends. She is excited about the new adventure in Minnesota but is really fretting leaving her friends.  We promised her that she would be able to go to Mississippi and have friends come up as occasion permits. She is growing up so fast and is quickly becoming a beautiful mature young woman.  It is fun to see.  Of course being a girly girl, Gabby is excited about the expanded shopping options in the Twin Cities.  My bank account already is feeling the strain....

Sam and Luther are also excited about moving to Minnesota.  They are resilient about it all and while they will miss their friends, they are excited to be near the Mall of America and Lego Land.  They are enjoying the 4th grade, Cub Scouts, and getting ready for the big move and the Holidays.

Candy has gone about the preparations for the move with dignity and grace.  I can't thank her enough.  She has shouldered much of the burden of the preparations as I tore some abdominal muscles in September rendering me unable to life more than 10 pounds.  In the process of moving, we also endured the wrath (albeit tempered) of Hurricane Issac.  It was a wild few days of preparation and clean up.  Regardless, we got the house on the market, thanks to Candy's efforts.  Now we are just praying for a quick sell.

Rainier is doing well in school as Southern Miss.  He is a junior majoring in Political Science.  We are so proud of him and his efforts.  He has a sweet girlfriend named Heather.

I was released as Bishop of the Petal Ward (congregation) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints shortly before I moved from Petal.  It was a wonderful 5 years.  Since arriving in Minnesota, I have undertaken the role of teacher for the High Priests Group in the New Brighton Ward.  I also was invited to sing with the Minnesota Mormon Chorale.  I have enjoyed the last month of reigniting my passion for music and raising my voice high to the heavens.

All in all, I sincerely believe that this move is going to be great for the family.  Like past moves, it is going to challenge us as a family.  However, we are confident that Heavenly Father has and will continue to guide us.  Our cell phones will not change so feel free to continue to contact us that way.  My new office is located below.

Brent Hales
Associate Dean
University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Community Vitality
467 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
(office) 612-626-8256

We wish you all the best.