Elder Shapcott is a Trainer

We received a wonderful letter from Elder Shapcott's Mission President this week and this is what is said,
Dear Brother and Sister Shapcott,
This is to advise you that your son has been called as a trainer. One of the greatest expressions of trust a Mission President can give a missionary is to assign him as a trainer of a new missionary. A missionary's first companion will have a profound and lasting influence on the development of the missionary's attitude and habits. We look forward to working with Elder Shapcott in this assignment. Thank you for raising such a fine son."
With love and support, Marc D. Jones, President Michigan Lansing Mission

Elder Shapcott has been busy in a three companionship covering two cities Kalamazoo and Battle Creek prior to his assignment as a trainer. He writes that there are two convert baptisms in Kalamazoo on September 25th which he has been working with in the three companionship. His new companion which he is training is Elder Bready. Elder Shapcott has been reflecting back on when he was with his trainer.

Elder Bednar visited Ann Arbour in late June or early July which Elder Shapcott was able to go to. He is looking forward and hoping to be in his same area in November when Elder Oaks is scheduled to come to their stake conference. Elder Shapcott has sure been spiritually fed through wonderful leaders of the church. He has grown spiritually and frequently advises us on things we should do. Elder Shapcott has been on his mission for 16 months now; time has really gone by quickly for us and for him.

Transfer Time

Elder Shapcott was transfered to Battle Creek a week ago. He is in a city with a small ward. His new companion is Elder Beck from San Antonio, Texas who is finished his mission in August. They are teaching a woman and her fiancee and some other people. He is grateful for central air conditioning as it has been rather hot there since spring began he is bracing himself again for a hot humid summer.

Bear Lake Area Transfer

Elder Shapcott just informed us that he is being transferred to the Bear Lake Area. He writes, "I am being transferred to Bear Lake area. The big town in that area is Manistee. It is the one that is on the lower peninsula and it is north of Grand Rapids along the coast of Lake Michigan." We are not sure of the town he will be in yet as he will be transferred tomorrow.

Elder Shapcott called as District Leader

We received a letter from Devin's Mission President informing us that he has been called to serve as a District Leader. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments in the past 10 months. Devin is so humble he hasn't even mentioned this to us.
The letter reads as follows:

19 March 2010,

Dear Brother and Sister Shapcott,
Your son has been called to serve as a District Leader. In this calling he is responsible for the success of the missionary effort in an area covering many miles.

His spirituality, ability to solve problems, and capabilities to relate with others are only some of the qualifications he has demonstrated in being selected to fulfill this very important assignment. We know that many of your son's capabilities have been nurtured and cultivated by parents who have set a proper example.

I look forward to working with your son in this new relationship, knowing that he will make a great contribution to the work of the Lord in the Michigan Lansing Mission.

With love and support,
Marc D. Jones, President
Michigan Lansing Mission

Elder Shapcott's First Baptism

Elder Shapcott writes, "We had a baptism here on Saturday March 20. Her name is Rhonda and she is in her 40s. She was baptized by Elder Hoffman who had been teaching her before I came to Bad Axe. There were other Elders present who had taught her as well. She was confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday March 21. "

Elder Shapcott is busy teaching 20 lessons a week on top of that he has his Elders' Quorum Presidency responsibilities. He is studying the Priesthood Leadership manual to help him with that responsibilities. He is working hard and loving it. Transfers are today but Elder Shapcott is staying in Bad Axe and will be getting a new companion tomorrow.

News from Bad Axe

Elders Shapcott writes, "Bad Axe is a really small branch, the smallest one I have been in. We cover a large area of land which is full of really small towns. We cover the whole thumb of Michigan in Bad Axe area. I am the Elders' Quorum President that is how small it is. I serve with Elder Hunt from Washington." I have a new email address it is devin.shapcott@myldsmail.net

Transfer to Bad Axe

Devin writes, "I'm being tranfered again. I really liked serving in the MSU area and would love to serve here again sometime. I am going to Bad Axe, which is in the thumb of Michigan. It is a really small branch from what I hear and I will be in the Elders' Quorum Presidency. Being at MSU definitely was fun for me and it gave me more insight as to what university life is like."

Devin also sang in the choir in his YSA ward at MSU and enjoyed doing that.

Bad Axe history in a nutshell: It is in the center of Huron County and had its beginnings around 1865 when a military surveyor Captain Randolph Pabst named it Bad Axe because he found an old rusty axe head embedded in a tree that was left by some hunters. The axe head can be seen in Bad Axe Library.

Serving in two YSA wards

Elder Shapcott writes he is serving in two YSA wards in the Lansing Stake on the Michigan State University Campus. During the Christmas break a lot of students went home but not many of the international students. They were doing "door knocking" as he calls it and met a Chinese student who was interested in learning about Christianity. They were just finishing up a discussion with her when her friend came over now he wants to learn about Christianity. Elder Shapcott and his companion took a ward member who spoke Chinese on his mission to Australia of all places to a discussion. Elder Shapcott loves serving on campus and says he is really busy. He gets to play basketball sometimes in the mornings with other companionships and members who want to play. He is living in the Living Center and has three other companionships who live at the same complex. Elder Shapcott was able to go to a YSA broadcast last Sunday which Elder Anderson of the Twelve was speaking. He spoke on the positive effect we can have on other people. How one good act of service can help a person to lead them on righteous paths and also help their families or future families. He said it was an excellent talk and it was good to be there with the YSA in the Lansing Stake.