Gilbert and Michelle (Hatch) Sandberg

A highlight of our lives the past year was attending the Temple Presidents' Seminar in Salt Lake City in October, a week after being called to serve as president and matron of the Guatemala City Temple. It was a humbling, joyful experience to be taught by our prophets and to associate with many wonderful people.

Another highlight of the year was being at a family reunion with all our children and grandchildren in Syracuse, New York, in July 2004. We went to the Palmyra Temple, saw the Sacred Grove and attended the Hill Cumorah Pageant together. Then in July, 2005, we all met in Loveland, Colorado, for a week of fun together. One of the blessings of serving in a temple is that we get a couple of weeks off when the temple is closed for cleaning and can go home. We have also enjoyed visits from some of our children. We look forward to more visits in the future.

CALLED TO SERVE:
It is hard to believe we have been in Guatemala over two years and are coming up on one year of service as temple president and matron. We served 1 1/2 years as temple missionaries and our call to direct the temple is for 2 years. Even though we often wonder about it all, we know the Lord is directing our lives. We love serving here in the temple! It is a joy to work in the House of the Lord with the good people who serve there. Another blessing is that we get to work closely together as a couple. We also enjoy attending meetings throughout our temple district which covers most of Central America. We like to travel, see new places and meet new people. It is inspiring to watch the growth of the Church and witness blessings in the lives of its members. We are excited about the coming, much-needed expansion of the temple, but don't know when or what that will be or how it will affect us. Each day is an adventure, so we are learning to walk by faith.

Sandberg family milestones:
BIRTHS:
Karadyn Sue Sandberg was born March 23, 2004, to Richard & Deanne.

Dallin Christopher Woodson was born August 11, 2004, to Karen & Chris.

BAPTISMS:
Jaron Kai Pruett, son of Kristin and Tyler, was baptized July 10, 2004, by his father.

Spencer Michael Sandberg, son on Jonathan and Sharon, was baptized January 9, 2005 by his father.

GRADUATIONS:
Richard Sandberg graduated from BYU with a BS in Physics in April 2004.

Karl Sandberg graduated from IU with an MBA from business school in May 2004.

Chris Woodson, husband of Karen Sandberg, graduated from UNC with an MA in Community Counseling/ Marriage and Family Therapy in August 2004.