Thanksgiving Day

To all of our wonderful family we express thanks and appreciation for each and everyone of you. The Lord has truly blessed all of us in many ways and given understanding to our lives.
Mother and I have been married 62 years and during that time we find that our greatest blessings are the joys you have brought into our lives on a daily basis.
Someone said we should be thankful for the difficult times. During those times we grow. Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character.
We are thankful for each other and for our parents who have sacrificed much and overlooked our weaknesses and taught the principle of forgiveness.
We are thankful to our Father in Heaven and the atoning sacrifice of His only begotten Son so that we may enjoy eternal life because He is our Redeemer.
We hope that you have a wonderful time on this memorable day of Thanksgiving which is also comemorative of the day that we were married and began life together and now we have this wonderful family lovely children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Thanks Be To God is what President Gordon B. Hinckley always said and we also say that.
Make every day a day of Thanks.
We love you.
John & Joyce Sonnenberg

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day is a memorable day in our lives. We shall always be grateful for those who fought so galantly to preserve and defend the freedom we enjoy. Clair and Terry invited us to go with them to the Huntsman Center for a program dedicated to the men and women who served this country in various branches of of the Armed Forces during times of war. The 23rd Army Band and choirs from the High Schools in the Granite School District played and sang a medley of patriotic songs. People stood up to be recognized when their song was played. I was proud to be among those that served in the U.S. Navy and my heart beat with joy when we sang together under the baton of the Choir leader and Choirs "Anchors Aweigh". Clair put her arm around me and said 'thanks Dad."Many of us had tears in our eyes just like Clair. Sincere appreciation was expressed. When we arrived home I wrote a letter and referred to six of our family that had served during time of war, in helping to preserve our freedom. Those in our family that served: my brother, Lt. Eric Otto Sonnenberg, US Navy; John Sonnenberg, U S.Navy; Dr. John David Sonnenberg US. Army; Dr. Bruce S. Wardell, US Navy: Dr. Brian S. Wardell, US Navy and Ryan Snyder US Army. MY THANKS FOR HELPING TO PROTECT THE FREEDOM OF THIS WONDERFUL LAND OF AMERICA.
Your Dad and Mother-- John and Joyce Sonnenberg

Family

I would like to send you a delightful picture of our New Zealand Reunion over the weekend in concert with General Conference. But a few things I need to put together before I can send the pictures.

Summer 2009

I just wanted to post a few pictures of people at the lake, some visits in Salt Lake City, and a picture of three former Stake Presidents with Bob West who hosted a party for Pres. Fischer. We were delighted with the visits of Dean and Deanna and Nathan from California. We enjoyed the visit with Caitlin and Nate and their two children and Kasen. We are grateful for Scott who furnished the boat and taught Mandy how to waterboard and ski. Jeff and Mike and Megan and Mandy enjoyed the lake and the visits to famous places around the Chicago area. Everyone helped in keeping things in order...thanks everyone!

We had a delightful and impressive visit to Louisville to see Bruce and lovely Tiffany and their children and also saw Bruce receive his specialty degree as an orthodontiist. Mother (Joyce) reminisced of days when she served her mission in the East Central States Mission and where Joyce and I met while I was in dental school there. Fond memories and wonderful experiences then and now again to be where we began our life together.

We have truly been blessed with all of you. Thanks for your thoughfulness and taking care of one another and sharing. The children of Paul got re-acquainted with some of their cousins also. John D. gave us a new camera and we have more recent pictures that will post later.

Love,
Mother and Dad

Our Summer Vacation

We had a glorious couple of weeks visiting with family. Mother always looks so wonderful!

Greetings from John & Joyce

Just heard that you are serving in the South Pacific. Congratulations on that choice calling. The longer you work along those people in Fiji and New Caledonia the more you will enjoy their sweet spirit. Some old timers may still remember a beautiful lovely lady named Joyce Sonnenberg, and her husband John. They were classified as the pioneers in that South Pacific Island territory. We were there in 1985 until 1988 and after our release we were assigned again to New Zealand for two more years and returned to the states in 1992. We send our greetings.

John and Joyce