Hi, I'm Sylvia

I am a native Arizonan, a mother of 8 children and 22 grandchildren and have taught Piano in Gilbert for 30 years. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures of Arizona skies, the Arizona desert and especially of my beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy posting the pictures on several blogs I manage. I have recently discovered the fun of trying new recipes and have a blog about that too.

In addition, I have had the great adventure of searching Genealogy for German ancestors - it is great fun to discover history of the times these ancestors lived in. Five years ago, 15 members of my family took a trip around the country of Germany and have many special memories of the homeland of my father-in-law.

Even though I have a degree from Arizona State University in English education, I have chosen to teach piano for the past 30 years. I love the one on one ability to teach and see the amazing diversities of children. I believe we all have "music within", waiting to erupt, which simply means we all have abilities that can be developed. I have learned to appreciate the diversity of children and recognize their amazing and unique abilities even if they walk to the beat of a different drummer.

At this time of life, as I near retirement, I find great enjoyment composing short hymns of praise using the pentatonic scale. This is a new adventure.

Mostly, I never tire of family gatherings and love to organize fun surprises for my grandchildren and fun family times. My family is my life and my joy.

Why I am a Mormon

I was so thrilled to be baptized when I was 8 years old. I just knew I would be good and do what Jesus would do all the time. I was then very heartbroken to discover I was still the same girl as before and sometimes did not choose to do kind things. However, my sweet Papa sat me on his lap and explained I could improve and make decisions to choose the things that Jesus would want me to do.

This has been a life long project. I love the teachings that I can keep trying to improve my personal character by living and keeping the commandments daily.

I love the opportunity to learn of Jesus Christ every Sunday at meetings. Every day as I read the scriptures and study the words of God I learn and understand what I need to do and strengthen my desire to do His will.

Through the gospel of Jesus Christ I have learned to have faith, hope and trust in the Lord and have increased my desire to have charity for others.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

While it is true that when I enjoy the glorious beauties of nature I feel close to heaven, I have found great strength in regular church attendance as every Sunday there is a time to reflect on the great atonement of Jesus Christ and partake of the sacred emblems of bread and water that remind me of His life, His love and His great gift of hope. Church services continually remind me of choices that bring true freedom from addictions. I am given hope and peace in the midst of afflictions and trials. Sunday attendance of church services is like a regular vitamin to my being.

How I live my faith

I have enjoyed many years of teaching in Sunday School classes, youth classes and adult classes at church. I had a delightful opportunity for a couple of years to train a dozen youth on organ skills and several of them have been able to be church organists. I have enjoyed using my piano talents by accompanying choirs and church groups of children and adults.

I have had several special opportunities to learn to forgive and have discovered so much peace of mind and joy as I have done so.

How are the activities of the Mormon missionaries funded?

Sylvia answered...

Being a mother of 4 missionaries has meant my husband and I, along with other family members and also our missionary sons, have carefully budgeted in order to finance the monthly mission expense. Our youngest missionary son will soon return home from his mission in South Africa. Yes, it is a sacrifice of time and money, but we are so grateful to have the opportunity to share our faith with others.

How can I find someone to talk with, in person, about the Mormon religion?

Taylor answered...

A. You could go to a mormon.org profile from someone in your area that has a facebook link, and locate them that way!
B. You could go to the link on mormon.org that says "request the missionaries"
C. You could go to the link that says " Find a Church" and come visit us. We all would be more than happy to meet you to and explain why this message is so important for all of us.