August 24th, 2013

Hey,

So my P-days are Saturdays right now... Well. This has been an exciting couple of days. I know in my letter I said that I wouldn't receive mail until next week but we got it yesterday so start sending more :) Thank you so much for the bear and postcards.I am going to try and write abby back some time today. If I can find the time.

So... I have some big news... shocking actually... you're writing the new Sister Training Leader! Yup, I am like the girl zone leader. It is me and two elders so I am over about 17 other sisters. It is super scary! I can't believe they chose me! I thought it was gonna be this other sister. Well, I start that calling tomorrow and then I get released in a week. I got my travel plans. My flight is on Wednesday SEP 4 and my flight is at 9:15 in the morning. So expected me to call you pretty early :)

Well the MTC is AMAZING!!! the food is gross but everything else is great! I am in west campus so I am staying in these nice apartments but I don't think I will see sister grant at all. which makes me sad. But it's ok. I have been doing well in the MTC. I know more than I thought I knew and I am a more loving person than I thought. My companion is Sister Chapa. She is from Payson, Utah. But more than half my zone is from Utah. I'm pretty sure everyone here is from Utah pretty much. But she is super sweet, I adore her. She is from Utah. Like pretty much everyone here. :) We are a lot a like so we get along great. She is so strong and loving and I am learning so much from her already. I cannot wait to see what happens this next week. I have picture with her but I forgot my camera cord to get my pictures on the computer so that will be interesting... if you could find it and send it to me that would be awesome! it is probably in the bottom drawer of my night stand? good luck :)

Well I have so much more that I want to write but I am already late for class and I have to go get my laundry. I am sorry. I would love to hear from you guysI want dear elders and letters.I understand why people like letters more. Well I will try writing you soon. Please forward this to abby. I don't have her email. Sorry again that it is so short. I hopefully can write more next week.

I love you,

Sister Shaw

She's OFF!!!

Sister Shaw was set a part on Monday night August 19th. Tuesday morning we headed up to provo.  Leslie entered the MTC on Wednesday August 21, 2013!!

It was so exciting to see her so excited and ready to serve the people of Ohio!!

Loading up the car......

In front of the Provo Temple

See you in 18 months!!!!

If you want to keep up with Sister Shaw, follow her blog in the corner....or email me to be forwarded her weekly emails! altrapp@gmail.com  PLEASE check the contact me tab and send Sister Shaw letters she would love it!! Thanks for your love, support and prayers for Sister Shaw!!!

The Temple

The temple is the most beautiful place on earth. I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with such a beautiful temple only an hour away. I am so grateful that I got to receive my endowments on  June 29, 2013 and that I get to serve a mission. I am so excited and the Lord knows what's best for me. I love this church!

Lord, I believe

Faith is a funny thing. It takes a long time to grow but it does not grow like a plant for me and probably not for most people. Mine is more like a child. It starts out small and then will have large growth spurts. My faith in God comes after a trial, most of the time. I will get pushed, shoved, cut, bruised, and scratched, then I will feel my loving Heavenly Father wrap his arms around me and remind me that he is watching and that I am NEVER forgotten.
Today I grew another inch. While singing "I Stand All Amazed" in sacrament meeting I was struggling to stay calm because I felt my Heavenly Father's love for me. I don't know how to describe it but I know there is nothing better than that feeling. As the song came to an end I decided to look around in my gospel doctrine app on my phone and came onto Jeffery R. Holland's talk "Lord, I Believe" from this last general conference. This is what I read that made an effect on me: "Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."

I know that I belong to the true church. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and that he has given me trials to test me because that is why I am here. I know that everyone has trials because we are here to be tested and that is why very bad things happen to very amazing people. I know that no one's life is perfect but that we can all be perfect through Jesus Christ. I know that I am going to serve a mission for my Lord in Ohio Cincinnati because that is where I am needed and where the Lord has someone waiting to listen to me. I know that only in God will I be successful on my mission and I love him and that he loves me. LORD, I BELIEVE!

Mission Call Opening

April 4, 2013

Ohio Cincinnati mission

English Speaking

Enter the Provo MTC on August 21, 2013

   Doctrine & Covenants Section 4

1. Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

3. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

4. For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrustest in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. 

5. And faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

7. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen