Letter from Elder Shapcott's Mission President

Elder Shapcott and fellow missionaries and Mission President and wife at Detroit airport

Elder Shapcott with Mission President and wife

Elder Shapcott and Elder Brown

We received a letter from Elder Shapcott's Mission President Elder Marc D. Jones and his wife. It included a new address for him.

Elder Devin Michael Shapcott

148 Allen Avenue

Alma, Michigan 48801

Elder Shapcott's First Area

After a long day with little sleep, Elder Shapcott arrived in Detroit Michigan where the Assistant to the President and the Mission President and his wife were there to greet them. They drove to Lansing from there they got their assignments. Elder Shapcott's first area is Ithaca but he lives in Alma. These towns are in the center of Michigan just north of Lansing. In Ithaca there is a small branch which he says has lots of children. (Elder Shapcott is a kid magnet, all kids love him). The branch is small but has great members. His first companion in Michigan is Elder Brown from Lehi, Utah. All of Elder Shapcott's companions have been from Utah so far. He says, "I am having fun out here and have already door knocked (tracting) and taught people." He has not lost his sense of humor and in his letters there is always a bit of humor. For instance he says, "I went to the bathroom on the plane that was probably the funnest place to go to the bathroom I've ever gone."

Michigan Bound

Elder Shapcott left for Michigan on Tuesday June 16th at 7:00 am. He called home and said he was happy to leave the MTC and get to Michigan. He sounded very cheerful. In his letter a week ago he said he had the priviledge of listening to Elder David A. Bednar in his Tuesday Devotional. He said Tuesday devotionals were frequently visited by members of the quorum of Seventy but it was a treat to have Elder Bednar speak.
For those of you who would like to write Elder Shapcott his is address in Michigan is:
Elder Devin Michael Shapcott
Michigan Lansing Mission
1500 Abbott Road, Suite, 110
East Lansing, MI 48823-1956

May 27.09 letter

It is Elder Shapcott's 25th Birthday today!!

Elder Shapcott is in a three-some companionship as one of his roommates Elder Taylor, was sent home due to recent surgery reprocussions. His companions are Elder Harmon (who is his companion) and Elder Riley (who was Elder Taylor's companion). Elder Riley's father served his mission in Calgary Canada and served some time in Lethbridge (small world). He said some of his great aunts/uncles are still in Lethbridge.

Elder Shapcott's spirit is growing in each letter. He says the spirit in the MTC is strong. He enjoys the visits from the Seventy and relates a story that Elder Douglas L. Callister of the Seventy spoke about Latter Day Saints being Christians. His talk was on Jesus Christ and how we are in His Church. Elder Shapcott also says they have had some of the Seventy visit their classroom which he enjoys.

Letter May 20.09

Elder Shapcott is loving life in the MTC. He is busily learning the gospel and doesn't have time to be homesick. He says, "I am excited to learn the gospel every day and can study all day and not get bored. I am so wrapped up with what I am doing and learning at the MTC that, I don't have much thought for anything else. Just like "forget yourself and get to work"."

He has two companions, Elder Harmon and Elder Riley. Elder Shapcott's mother's maiden name is Riley. He said both are really cool.

There has been some cases of H1N1 flue in the MTC so he did not leave for Michigan yesterday as originally thought he would. He said they are going to be at the MTC for another week or two. He is looking forward to going to Michigan.