So, I have really slacked in my posting.  I am sorry about that but I am repenting.

Zach is doing great.  He has been transferred to American Falls, Idaho.  He was transferred right before Thanksgiving.  On the Sunday prior to his transfer, he had baptized a young man.  He also left a number of people committed for baptism.  He spends most of his time serving the LDS congregations and members of the LDS congregations that have stopped going to church.

American Falls is a town of about 4,000 and the majority of those people (about 95%) identify themselves as Mormon.  He has already has 3 folks that have committed for baptism.  He is very excited.  He was called to serve as the senior companion even though he has only been out just over 4 months.  We received a wonderful letter from his mission president that spoke of his commitment to living the mission rules and his dedication to the work.  We are so grateful for his commitment to serve the Lord.

The mission standard is for missionaries to teach 8 discussions.  However, he and his companion have committed to teach double that number.  They have been very blessed as a result of their service.

He is staying involved in music.  He directs the missionary choirs and often sings in various congregational and stake choirs.

He already wore a hole in one suit.  He has spent the majority of his time thus far walking as he had not been assigned a car.  However, he now has a car and as he is serving as a senior companion, he is the designated driver for the duo.  He hope to be able to get the suit fixed and to have a liner put in.

The area that he is serving in is one of the "warmest" in the mission but it is still very cold.  American Falls sits right on the Snake River and is subject to fast canyon winds.  He said that he loves it.

We will get to visit with him on Christmas and we are so excited.  T-minus 22 days to be exact.

Same and Luther were talking this morning to each other over breakfast and spoke of how much they missed Zach.  One of them said that although he missed him, he was glad that he was serving a mission.  He went on to say that he wants to be just like him.  It makes a mom and dad so happy.

I have attached a few pictures of him and his companion.  Enjoy!  I promise to do a better job updating in the future.

Giving thanks a their Thanksgiving breakfast.

Zach and new companion, Elder Blake.

Zach's new mission car...he wishes

Zach, comps and Miklo.

Miklo's family

Yeah....

Great News from Idaho

So it has been a few weeks since I updated everyone on Zach's adventures in Potato Land.  He is very happy and healthy.  He is serving in Rigby, Idaho and loves his area.  Zach sends letters (emails) to us individually as a family so I am sure that what I am posting is largely devoid of the total message that he would like everyone to hear.  However, I will do my best to capture the sentiment of his experience.  Here is a bit of the latest letters that we have received from him.

I'm doing great here. I'm being fed for than I can handle. I love this area so much. The WML's are awesome. Last night. Elder Harding and I taught a lesson around a camp fire and it was so nice to relax for a bit and meet more people. Yesterday, we spoke in 2 of our wards, the first which we had prepared for and the other where we were volunteered to do so over the pulpit. It was crazy but fun to try to come up with something in 3 minutes. I finished reading the Book of Mormon on Wednesday and I have never felt the Spirit more strongly than I did when I prayed about it. I felt as if my chest was so full that gravity was twice as strong when I stood up. My testimony has grown so much. 

Yesterday, we had our Stake high councilor over missionary work's son come and speak (that's why we spoke) and his testimony was awesome. Elder Harding and I were asked to sing Bass for the choir that day. I loved it. We both love singing and so it was great. 

I love you so much and am praying for you everyday. 

Zach and his companion have been focusing as one might expect on the less-active members of the church.  As a result, they have been reaching out to those that have felt the Spirit in their lives at one time and inviting them to come back to Christ.  They have been working with one brother to shake his tobacco habit and fully embrace the fullness of the gospel.  They are hopeful as he has kept his commitments thus far.  They have also been working with another family and have a baptismal date set for next month with them.  

He currently covers 3 stakes and so he attends approximately 3 sacrament meetings weekly.  It is a bit of a stretch for him but he loves his experience.  

Zach was a music major at the University of Southern Mississippi and it just so happens that his companion, Elder Harding is also a music major.  They have been given permission to practice 2 hours per week on the piano and so he is honing his skills and talents.  

Above all, Zach's growth in the gospel of Jesus Christ is wonderful to see and read about.  We love him and look forward to hearing more great news.  Please keep him in your prayers.  

This is a picture of Zach and his companion playing guitar at one of their ward mission leader's home for a family home evening.  He definitely looks happy and in his element sharing the gospel.

Some more pictures of Zach and his contact information

Here are some more pictures of Zach after he arrived in Idaho.  

Zach with President and Sister Brinkerhoff

First day in Idaho

Zach headed to his first area.

Zach can be reached at the following address.  Please feel free to write him.  

1246 Yellowstone Ave, F-3

Pocatello, ID 83201

More photos of Zach in the MTC.

I just received some more photos of Zach in the MTC.  He travels to his mission tomorrow.  We are very excited for him and hopefully will get to talk with him tomorrow as well.  I will post his address as soon as I know it.

Zach and his district.  He and his companion are the only ones going to Idaho.  The rest of the district headed to North Carolina today.

Zach's district in front of the Provo Temple.

Zach diving into a load of pillows that his district found in a MTC storage room.

Zach's companion diving into a load of pillows that their district found in a MTC storage room.

All of the elders in Zach's district.  What a bunch of goofs.

Here is a part of the note he sent this morning.

I am not sure if I'll be able to call because I'm not going to the airport. If I can, it will be around 6:00 to 6:30 mountain time.

The new missionaries sound great! I'm glad that Matt is starting to get a feel for what a mission is like. I have been encouraging him since I got here. Last night, everyone in our district received blessings. I gave two of them to some of the sisters. That makes about 4 blessings that I've done and about 20 that I have participated in since I got here with my district. I received a blessing from Elder Summers last night and he blessed me that I would be a strong example to Matt. He had never known his name and I hadn't mentioned him but he specifically mentions "your younger brother Matt." That was one of the most amazing experiences that I have been in.

Everyone left for Raleigh, NC except for Elder Summers and I. It's really sad to see your district go. They became my family. Elder Summers and I just ate at our table and were so sad... We have two 3 hour class blocks with just us two today. It's going to be really weird. All the sisters were so uplifting and were amazing examples to us elders. The elders in my district were the best friends I could ask for. I don't think I could have finished the MTC without them.

I love you so much and miss you all.

Almost two weeks ago, my son Zachary Hales entered the Missionary Training Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints to receive training for a two-year mission.  He was called to serve in the Idaho, Pocatello Mission.  He will be leaving the MTC on Tuesday, August 27.  

I decided that I would begin posting pictures and letters from Zach on this blog.  Please feel free to write him.  He can be reached at zhales@myldsmail.net.  

Here is a snippet from a letter that received today.  

"So I was looking around the MTC and in the MTC in the basement, there is a place that is abandoned basically (no one goes there) and we call it the fungeon. It is soo cool. Anyway, Yesterday we went down to chill and study and found about 500 new pillows had been put there over night. You can guess where this led to. We jumped, ran, supermaned, dove, and every other stupid thing we could do into the pillows that were piled about 4 feet high. It was the greatest thing ever. We found the "Treasure of the MTC." 

I am truly enjoying my missionary experience here at the MTC. Elder Summers and I finally got our travel plans. We are traveling by bus on Tuesday at 6:30. I still can't find my iPod but I'll keep looking. Let me know if you find it. I really miss you all. Could you mail me a picture of the family. I don't have one at all. Did you get an email from a brother named Junichi? He was one of our fake investigators that is from Japan. He took our picture and was going to email you a pic and wish you a happy birthday on Wednesday! BTW HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Did you get my card? Please tell everyone that I love them and miss them. Let them know that I am doing very well and can't wait to hear from them. 

I will have pictures to send soon when I get to Idaho. I will have to Dropbox them to you. I can't send more than 2 pictures at a time through email. I will probably send a jump drive with the photo's as well so that we can save them. Anyway. I will email you later today when I do laundry. Love you so much. Give mom a kiss and hug for me!"

As you can see, Zach is doing great.  He misses everyone and is anxious to hear from family and friends.  I will post his physical address in Idaho when I get it.  Regardless, you can drop him an email.  

Zach and his companion Elder Summers

Zach and Elder Maeda, a brother that had volunteered to be taught in the MTC

Zach and Elder Maeda, a brother that had volunteered to be taught in the MTC

Elder Hales looking great!

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.