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.

Soooo, I have seriously fallen down on the job.  Much has happened since the last time that I have written.  Here is where the Hales Clan (Mississippi Branch) is.  Life does not stand still nor does the Hales family.  Let's go from the youngest to the most experienced.  Notice, I didn't say oldest.

Sam and Luther are completing the 3rd grade in a couple of weeks.  They have grown so much.  They love playing together (and fighting together).  They love playing with their guys, playing video games, and drawing/reading.  They are so excited for school to be over.  They are looking forward to staying up late, getting up late, and spending excessive amounts of time with friends. 

Gabby is nearly done with her first year of middle school.  The 7th grade is brutal...or so I have heard.  She is officially a teenager (yes we have three of them in the house) and loves the chance to let us know at every turn that she is a teen.  She spends as much time hanging out with friends as possible.  Her bestest friend, Charlsie is a constant in her life.  I swear that she spends as much time with her as she does with us (more with her on the weekends).  She too is looking forward to an extended vacation and seeing family.

Matt is 16, has a driver's permit, and is a drumming machine.  Matt and Zach both competed in the WGI Indoor Percussion World Championships.  You can see their send off show here.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDEo116pnbo  Matt was on the smallest bass drum and Zach was playing all of the sound effects on a pad in the second row.  Matt is looking forward to his junior year where he hopes to become part of the percussion pantheon.  He also plays drums in a Christian rock band and hopes to begin making his own custom drums. 

Zach is getting ready (fixin) to graduate from Petal High School in a couple of weeks.  He was recently named the winner of the John Phillips Sousa Award for the Outstanding Band Member and also the Petal Entrepreneurship Student of the Year at Petal. He placed 2nd at the Mississippi Business Plan Competition.  He received a $2,000 scholarship from the University of Southern Mississippi and will be attending USM in the fall.  He has played with USM's Jazz Band for the past year as a senior in high school.  He will be majoring in composition and jazz.  He will also be playing in the marching band.  It has been a busy year for him.

Rainier just finished his sophomore year at USM.  He is double majoring in political science and French.  He has a 4.0 and was named the outstanding sophomore student in his program at a recent recognition luncheon.  He will be spending the summer studying in France.  He recently finished his commitment to the United States Army and his family could not be more proud to have him serve and represent our family honorably.  He has a great girlfriend and is looking forward to pushing through his degrees and to graduate school.

Candy finished both her personal training certificate and her nutrition certificate.  She spends her time keeping our busy family functioning and trying to get us to live a more healthy existence.  She enjoys running, working out, and fixing up our home.  She has great friends that she has found solace in spending time with them, our family, and doing the things that she loves.

I am still serving as bishop (pastor) of the Petal Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I have served in that capacity for the last 4.5 years.  I love it.  I am still a professor at USM and also serve as the chair of the Department of Economic and Workforce Development.  It is a great existence.  I am constantly challenged and invigorated with my work with youth entrepreneurship http://www.theSEP.org and as President of the Community Development Society http://www.comm-dev.org.  Many doors have recently opened and our family is looking forward to seeking God's will for us. 

We lost one of our family members this year.  Our beloved dog Harley disappeared one day.  It broke our hearts as he had been with us for 9 years.  We treasure the memories and know that God will reunite us down the road. 

Our lives are constantly in motion and we love spending time with each other.  We are hoping to make a long family trip west this summer and expect to get on each others' nerves and laugh a lot too.  We look forward to seeing family and friends and building those strong bonds once again.

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.

2009 Mississippi Hales Clan Annual Christmas Letter

Upon this greatest and most holy day of all Christianity, we express our sincerest love and gratitude to those that made the last year, the best one that this family has had. To friends, we express our warmest gratitude for all of the blessings each one of you has brought to our home and lives. To our family, we also give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the love that we have felt from each one of you.

Much has happened over the course of the last year. Our family has experienced the highest of highs and experienced great challenges. However, for every challenge came greater blessings. Each family member grew in a multitude of ways.

Sam and Luther turned 6 this past April. They have lost teeth, grown taller, and played harder than any two boys rightly should. Luther’s favorite thing about school is working on the computer. Sam’s favorite subject is working on projects and working in small groups. They love spending time with each other, their friends, and their family.

Gabriella turned 10 in March. She loves spending time with her friends and her dogs. She is a blooming geologist and loves finding and classifying rocks. She hopes to be an archeologist when she grows up. She loves stuffed animals. She loves the 5th grade. Her favorite subjects in school are mathematics and science. She loves reading and in particular reading mystery and scary books.

Matthew turned 14 in November. He played football this year and his 8th grade football team was 8-0. He plays drums in a Christian rock band called the Unfinished and has shows every month. He is looking forward to high school and playing with the high school marching band and indoor percussion squad. He received his Life Scout award and is pushing for his Eagle Scout award this spring. His life is constantly one of motion and a tide of testosterone. What can we say? He is 14.

Zachary turned 15 in February. He earned his Eagle Scout award in April and continues to be active in scouting. He plays trumpet for the Petal High School marching, jazz, and symphonic bands. The marching band placed second in the State of Mississippi in the 6A division (largest school division in the State). As a sophomore, Zachary loves high school. He got his driving permit in June and will receive his license next week. Everyone stay off of the sidewalks, Zach will be driving.

Candy continues to serve our family as the matriarch, bus driver, head chef, triage nurse, and best friend to her husband and eternal companion, Brent. Her life is filled with taking children to various practices, coordinating schedules, and enduring this period of her life…and this Christmas letter.

Brent continues a busy work, family, and church schedule. He continues to serve as Bishop for the Petal congregation of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoys serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. He recently received a letter of recommendation from the College promotion and tenure committee recommending him for promotion to Associate Professor and to receive tenure. He too cherishes his time with his best friend and eternal companion.

Rainier is serving in Qatar for the United States Army. He will finish his commitment to the Army in May 2010 and will be returning to Mississippi to attend school at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is proud to have served his country for the last 4+ years but is also excited to pursue higher education as a Golden Eagle. His whole family continues to pray for him and is excited to see him.

In closing, we want to share our Christmas poem with you.
Many a soldier has sought worldly fortunes and glories for all to behold
Many a merchant has sold earthly treasures for that which is purchased with gold

Many a farmer has toiled in harvest for crops to be bartered or sold
Men brave harsh waters for fishes a plenty on seas that are stormy and cold

Yet all these men seek for that which doth rot for temporal blessings fast spent
But we must seek more than worldly rewards for blessings that are heaven sent.

Tis noble of men to ask of the Father what gifts He would have them give
But greater the questions to bring to our God is what life he would have us to live

The greatest gift given is one that is purchased but not on any store shelves
No, the greatest of blessings is found deep within when we give but give of ourselves

As a soldier for Christ we fight God’s battles, as God’s merchants we sell God’s free glory
As farmers of men we grow Christ’s people, as Christ’s fishers cast nets from the story

Of the birth of the Savior our Blessed Redeemer, the One who saves all mankind
For through Him are found the greatest of gifts for each child of God to find.

Pray all for God’s children and seek to do His work, give gifts of great charity
And yours will be all that our Father doth give, the gift of eternity

May the gift of the season be in all our hearts for in Christ we’ll feel the true reason
May we feel of the Spirit of the Savior’s full love, May we find our joys in this season

We pray that God’s blessings find way to your hearts, we pray that each feel God’s love
And hear choirs of angels sing praises of glory and feel peach from our Father above

Merry Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all, Merry Christmas for all to behold
Merry Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all young and old

We hope and pray that this time of year finds you well.

Petal Day of Service - Members of the Petal Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in conjunction with 16 community organizations participated in a day of service. The day began with a clean up of a two-mile section of Highway 11 located just outside of the Petal City limits. This section had been adopted by LDS BSA Troop 125. Approximately 40 members of the Church participated in the clean up efforts. Below are some of the pictures.

Tiffany and Chris Ogle

Stevens/Gerlach Family

Jerrica Stevens

Amanda and Ryan Rich, Richard Tolbert, and Elbert Barton

Lee Wade's smiling face

Matthew Barton, Steven and Lydia Moore, Elbert Barton, and Elder Mecham

The crew resting. Pictured are: Keith Hill, Amanda and Ryan Rich, Ben Fagan, Lydia and Steven Moore, Greg Barr, Christopher Stevens, Richard Tolbert, Brett Tolbert, Elder Mecham, and Matthew Barton.


A trailer full of garbage from Highway 11. Pictured are Lee Wade, Elder Mecham, Elder Hatcher, Brett Tolbert, Greg Barr, and Keith Hill

More of the garbage: Pictured are Zach Hales, Lee Wade, Elder Mecham, Greg Barr, and Brett Tolbert.

Later in the day, the Petal Preparedness Fair was held at the Petal Middle School Gymnasium. Attendees were able to gain valuable preparedness information from 17 displays. They were also treated to Papa John's pizza. The Preparedness Fair was also the culmination of Zach Hales' Boy Scout Eagle Project.

Sargeant Brister from the Mississippi National Guard

The Barr Family enjoying the event.

Some of the displays

Petal Police Department

Dixie Pipeline presenting on natural gas safety.

Several members of the Petal Dome Mutual Aid group talked to attendees about pipeline and natural gas safety.

Mississippi Army National Guard

Preparing 72-hour kits

Trudy from Papa Johns speaking with representatives from the Mississippi Emergency Management District.

Rod Meyers displays information on alternative gardening methods) bucket

Jeffery Griffin from Shady Grove Baptist Church

Food storage ideas.

Dixie Electric

Kids were treated to games, coloring, and a variety of safety activities.

All in all, it was a great event.

Updates and Orange Beach Alabama

Hey all,

It has been way too long since we have posted. Update time:

Zach had an amazing experience at the innauguration. He loved the parade except for the fact that because the innauguration activities were so late, the band was forced to stand outside in sub-freezing temperatures for 6 hours waiting to kick off. Despite the cold, they had the experience of a lifetime. Zach is now busy with school, concert band, and scouting. He will finish his Eagle project next month.

Matthew is doing great. He is loving band (he is first chair in percussion) and has started his own rock band. Not bad for a 13 year old. They sound really good. He too is active in scouting and is working toward an Eagle. He should have it later this year. He also is busy with spring football and is looking forward to his 8th grade year of football.

Gabby is quite the young lady. She turned 10 a few weeks ago and is growing so fast. It is wonderful to watch her blossom. She loves singing, playing with her friends, and activity girls at church. She recently went to New Orleans to the Audobon Society's Insectarium. She had the "opportunity" to eat bugs and did so. She said that some tasted like potato chips. Ummm....yeah.

Sam and Luther turn 6 on Saturday. Wow! They are growing fast. They love kindergarten and are learning to read. We read the scriptures every night and they have begun reading two verses with Mom and Dad's help. They are catching on so quickly.

Candy is going great guns on preparing our house to sell. We are purchasing 13 acres with the plan to eventually build there. It has a lake on it, two rental properties, and plenty of room for an orchard and garden. See the pictures below. She is also busy working out at the YMCA, volunteering at the kids' schools, and keeping up with church responsibilities.

Brent is likewise busy with school, work, church, and everyday life. Too much to write here. Regardless, he is very happy and loves where he is in life. Please don't hesitate to contact him on Facebook.

We have attached some pictures of our recent trip to Orange Beach, Alabama. We went there for a day trip recently and had an amazing time. Very cool. There are also some pictures of the land we are purchasing (we will close June 1). There is also a picture of Brent baptizing a Leslie and Ben Fagan. What an experience!!!

This is a picture of the land we are buying. The back of the property is where we will build our house.

This is another view of the property we are buying.

Orange Beach, Alabama. Beautiful!

The pier to the beach.

Matt playing with Sam and Luther in a tide pool.

Aren't they the best. Zach, Luther, Sam, Gabby, and Matthew.

Candy and Luther

Sam and Luther in the surf. The best part is that the tide was coming in and they had just dried off.

The family

Princess Gabby with Matt and Zach in the background. Scary beautiful.

Matt as buried by his siblings.

Luther. Yes, he is freezing.

Sam enjoying the beach.

Brent preparing to baptize Leslie Fagan. Ben was baptized by Elder Mecham. Elder Bowlingbrook is his companion.

Troop 125. There are currently 5 Life Scouts, 3 Eagle Scouts, and 3 Star Scouts in the troop. We are about to fill our Eagle's Nest.