This is an email that I received from a missionary who is in the Mexico City MTC getting ready to teach the gospel in Spanish in Nashville Tennessee.

 

 

Karen!

........There is a Hermana here who I´ve had multiple opportunities to talk with since I´ve been in the CCM, and she is a total sweetheart. The other day during gym time, she wore a Southern Virginia University shirt and i felt prompted to ask if she knew Alex. She said she recognized the name, but she looked a little puzzled. So i then asked about Sydney. Her face was one of total shock, and she responded that Sydney was one of her best friends at SVU. This Hermana´s name is Chrissy Smith, and she was Sarah´s roommate at SVU. We then had the chance to talk for 20 minutes about Sydney and how many lives she had touched. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Sydney, I could feel her Spirit there with us. It was such a beautiful experience and i walked away from our discussion feeling like i had always known Sydney, that we had been friends for such a long time. I know that Sydney is in Heaven performing missionary work right now for our Savior. I know that her testimony was needed beyond the veil, and I look forward to someday meeting her. Her legacy lives on, and always will.

 

Yo se que Jesucristo vive!

 

xoxo

Hermana Stricklin

Hey Sister Hathaway,

 

I just thought I would email you and tell you how much of an impact Sydney had on my effort as a missionary:

 

Sydney was one of the most "on fire" ward missionaries I have ever seen and had such great ideas.  She was not afraid to speak her mind in our coorelation meetings and it really pumped me up to see the fire that she carried with her.  She was always on top of the assignments that she was given.  At her funeral,  I had the opportunity to sit on the stand as we were in the choir and to look out and easily pick out those people in the crowd who were members of the church and who had a testimony of the Gospel and those who did not.  You could see it on their faces.  She helped me realize that nothing really matters in this life except for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She motivated me to be more diligent in carrying this truth to all those who do not have it yet so that they can have peace in this life and eternal happiness in the life to come just as she has.  Thank you for raising such a great servant of our Heavenly Father.

 

Sincerely,

 

Elder Limb

Sydney Taylor Hathaway

A Latter-day Stripling Warrior

By Chief James P. Doane

What made Sydney Hathaway a latter-day Stripling Warrior? Her grandparents, Barbara and Frederick Garcia blessed her with a celestial mother, Celeste Ann Garcia who married a United States Marine, Patrick Travis Hathaway. She witnessed her father serve as an Ohio State Trooper, and labor with all his heart, mind and strength for his family. Sydney’s mother set an example for her family by being a full-time mom, and nursing major at Lamar University.

Celeste and Patrick instilled in her and her siblings the spirit of Semper Fidelis. Sydney was always faithful to her God, Family and Country. And had she lived in the time of Helaman she would have gladly been one of his stripling warriors, for she knew no fear. Sydney prepared her whole life to bring the world the truth of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

“The Glory of God is intelligence,” motivated her to excel in school. She went above and beyond as a leader at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a lieutenant commander of the West Brook High School Naval Junior ROTC. Her love of Christ filled her with a passion to bless everyone she met. Due to her love for others she was greatly loved.

Sydney lead by example, she earned a four year Marriot scholarship to Southern Virginia University. She lived the Word of Wisdom, and was an outstanding athlete. She was following the example of her older brother, Jaron  by accepting a mission call to Brazil, where he served an honorable full-time mission. 

         Today her mission president is the Lord Jesus Christ. Sister Sydney Hathaway is now able to apply what she learned in early

morning seminary. Those who taught her prepared her to serve wherever the Lord would call her. When her family goes to the temple they will feel her spirit while they serve those in paradise.

         The power of the priesthood seals Sydney to her parents, Celeste and Patrick Hathaway, Jori Zimmerman Hathaway and husband, Zachary; brothers, Jaron and Hayden Hathaway; and sisters, Sierra, Haley, and Savannah Hathaway; paternal grandmother, Beverly Jane West Hathaway; and maternal grandparents, Barbara and Frederick Garcia.

“When you see me, you see my family.”                 “I will always love you!”

This is a copy of Sydney's mission letter.  She was called to serve int he Brazil Fortaleza Mission. She was to report to the Brazil Mission Training Center August 21st. 

I am a Servant

Elder Berthelson couldn't be at the funeral services.  He wrote this poem for Sydney and it was included on the funeral program.  

I am a Servant 

by Elder Alex Berthelson, written for Sydney

I am a servant of the Lord
I will be focused and ready when my time comes to stand as a witness of God
I will go and do the things, which my Father has commanded of me
I will testify of the truth and nothing but the truth
I will always honor and obey my priesthood at all times and in all places
I will be a loving husband and father to my family
I will serve others with all my heart, might. mind and strength
I will find success and happiness through faith in Jesus Christ
I will forever do the Lord's work
I will always remain faithful to the gospel
I am blessed and loved
I am a servant of the Lord
Amen.