Remembering Mom and Dad

November 25, 2013

Well, I will say I am feeling better this week. I guess I am adjusting and I have been home-sick. It actually has not rained in like 4 days so that has been really nice and it has been sunny. The funny thing here is it is actually colder when it is clear and sunny because the clouds trap the heat. So its either "warm" and rainy or cold and sunny. I think I will still take the sun. Its been an interesting week. We have one progressing investigator who is not on date to be baptized but can feel the spirit and knows it's the right thing to do.  I have so  much to say so I will email what I can and will write a letter sometime this week home since letters are always more fun to get.

We have been doing lots of biking around Lacey and I am trying to get to know the area. My companion is a very knowledgeable kid, like there is not one question in the gospel he does not know so that is nice but for some reason he does not enjoy talking to me. The missionaries out here are generally pretty cool. I have gone on splits with a lot of them.  We usually do not do much for breakfast, I am not really sure what we do for lunch, I guess we go out to eat sometimes like Subway or something. I am glad I got a flu shot because my companion had the flu for two days and we had to sit in our apartment so that was really boring. I have learned a lot about missionary work now and what missionary work used to be. There truly is a higher standard for missionaries out in the field now.   We are going to a members house for thanksgiving and will spend the day there as no one will want to hear the gospel during thanksgiving.

We are teaching a guy named Al who spent 23 years in prison, that is amazing to me. I am much like Dad and have started cleaning the apartment so it is livable because it really is a pretty nice apartment. It looks like I will be spending the winter here waiting for my Visa. I will just be happy if I am there by my birthday. I just want to tell you how much I loved you and Dad when I was at home. Anne, Kate, Finley, and Perci too. It is hard being away from home. I am thankful this thanksgiving for the things you and Dad taught me in life. I feel I never appreciated or spent enough time with you and Dad but I would have never realized that until I left.  I always think of Dad when I clean the kitchen and you when I floss my teeth. (I have just started and actually like it) I am sorry I am not there for Bon Bon but know that if she passes away I will see her again. I wish I were there for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the sports scores. I actually watched a little of that Broncos game last night. We were out tracting and some guy invited us in and he had it on so I just relaxed and watched for a while. It was pretty nice. Hopefully you all enjoy Thanksgiving and I will hopefully have a good week. I love you a lot,

Will

It's Raining.....surprise?!

Nov. 18 2013
Hi,
For my first 5 days here it has rained every day.  I will  be really happy to see the sun again.  In Brazil I will not complain about the sun!

My new companion is named Elder Penney and he has been out here for 9 months. He is a good missionary and knows a lot.  We ride bikes everywhere and a member lent me a nice mountain bike so that was nice. We have a couple investigators but no one too serious. We have to knock doors from 5-7 every night. Its really not too bad but Elder Penney has been in this area for 4 months and has knocked on every door already so it makes you wonder why anyone would want to hear us a second or third time visiting their door. I love you all a lot and wish I had spent more time with you when I was home. I guess you do not appreciate your home until you finally leave. it. I will keep you all in my prayers.

 Love,

Will 

From the Mission President....

Dear Brother and Sister Percival,

Just a quick note to let you know your son arrived safely in Tacoma today.  He was with a group of 14 new missionaries that arrived this morning.  We took them to see Puget Sound, fed them lunch, took photos, and then they began their orientation.  They got to experience a transfer meeting and hear testimonies of departing missionaries.

Elder Percival was interviewed and assigned a companion.  He was in good spirits and excited to get to work. We are thrilled that he is here in our mission.

Love,

 President and Sister Weaver

On the Plane....

Brother and Sister Percival,

It was a pleasure meeting your son on the airplane today. He's going to be a great missionary!

I live in Brazil right now and I'm rooting for him to get his visa!

Take care,

Derek Hall

Hello Washington

I do not think I need any clothes, in fact I might not need any sweaters from home. An elder who got re-assigned to Los Angeles gave me a couple sweaters that were polo and brand new with the price tag on them today so I do not think I will need any sweaters. I could use some daily vitamins though. Thanks for the sports scores, I am really excited about going to Washington but it will be weird to teach lessons in English as our first lesson in English was today for one hour. Otherwise it has been all Portuguese.  Thanks for the advice and always remember to have faith in God, because through him, we can truly do all things.

WJP

 November 08, 2013
Missionary Department
50 E North Temple ST 3WW
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-5400

Elder William Jay Percival
4007 Bridgeport Way W Ste D
University Place WA 98466-4330
United States

Dear Elder Percival:

Visa Status

By now you are aware that your visa to Brazil has not yet been approved. While this is undoubtedly a disappointment, please know that we are doing everything possible to secure your visa. We will notify you immediately when it is received. We ask that you and your family members not do anything, such as call or e-mail the consulate, to try to secure your visa more quickly. Such actions may actually slow down the visa process already in place.

While you are waiting, your mission experience in the United States will prove to be a great blessing in your preparation to serve in Brazil. We encourage you to work hard, remain focused, and be involved in all aspects of missionary work. As you serve the people in the Washington Tacoma Mission, your testimony and ability to teach will increase, you will set the pattern of study and hard work for the rest of your mission, and you will come to love the people.

May the Lord continue to bless you and your family as you dedicate yourself to preaching the gospel to those who are seeking and ready to accept your invitation to come unto Christ.

Sincerely,

Eduardo Gavarret
Assistant Executive Director

Good Bye Provo!

Well, we all got our re-assignments! 

It was pretty fun, our whole district and the district that got here the same day as us all opened them together. I will be serving in the Washington Tacoma mission until my Visa arrives from Brazil. I actually guessed I would go to Washington even though I had no idea. I really do not know much about the mission so you will have to send me some information on it. There is no Google here for me to use. I've always wanted to live in Washington because it is nice and rainy and not too bright so I am excited. I leave Tuesday morning and have to be at the travel office at 2:30 a.m. I have two flights; the first one leaves at 5:40 a.m. and goes to Denver. I then have an hour layover in Denver and leave to Seattle from Denver. Its a three hour flight as I arrive in Seattle at 10:05 but I lose an hour.

 I have learned from the people here who live in Washington that it does not get super cold, just the 30's and 40's. The other elders in the district went all over the U.S. Two went to New York City, two went to Twin Falls Idaho, and one went to South Dakota. The other District destinations included, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Los Angeles. We all went everywhere.

 I am very excited to get out into the field and actually teach some real investigators. Our last class is tomorrow and I will miss these elders in our district and our teachers. I also miss hearing L. Tom Perry who comes to speak Tuesday night here, but I am happy to finally leave. It's felt like I have been here forever. I get to make three phone calls from the airport but you have to answer because if you do not it still counts as a phone call, and I have only three. I think I will try to call from Denver but I do not have much time in between flights. I will be in Denver around 7:00 a.m. Denver time so you should let me know who to call and when I should. We use pay phones in the airport and buy these 5$ call cards. 

I am very happy I am not serving in Utah, Idaho, or South Dakota, but New York would have been cool. Its too bad it is Winter in Washington because the people from Washington say it is very pretty in the spring and fall.They also said that it does not snow much there but it rains so I am glad I brought Dad's coat to keep me warm. Didn't Mom grow up there?  I'll send that picture as soon as I can. Otherwise it has been a regular week here in the MTC. I have another P-day on Monday so I will get back on email that day. I am on an adventure. I also thought it was funny they sent me as far away from Fortaleza in the continental U.S as they could. Right in the corner.
 Love,
Will

And the next stop will be???

Thanks for the pics the house looks great! I passed out candy last year and I enjoyed it so I'm glad you and Dad did too. My Halloween consisted of me switching name-tags for a couple hours and thats it but I was not too bummed. I am just glad I am not in here for Thanksgiving or Christmas, not that would be depressing.  
That is very interesting what you talked about how you were calm and not afraid during the lockdown at school. When you're here in the MTC every website is blocked except LDS.org so we have been watching lots of Mormon messages and you will really enjoy this one. http://www.lds.org/pages/mens-hearts-shall-fail-them?lang=eng . It is about what you just described.

 I was thinking that I have not told you much about the MTC so I will talk a little more about my experience and what a unique place this is. There are about 2400 kids here in total. About 3/4 are on main campus which I am on, and everyone who is on West Campus is learning Spanish. New missionaries come in on Wednesdays and on a typical Wednesday about 600 new missionaries arrive. I got to host with my district last Wednesday which entails me escorting them to their room and getting them all the stuff they need. It was a lot of fun. I am tired of the food here though. After about two weeks I have had enough. It will be nice to get back into the real world and eat real food again. This place is truly unique thought. There are probably kids from 60 different countries here if not 100. For example, I talked to a nice elder from Sri Lanka who speaks, Sanlehe, English, and is learning a Philippine dialect. How many people in the world speak those three languages? Its just amazing where all these people come from and where they are going. I am still glad I am not learning Japanese, Mandarin, or a combination of two languages. 

One elder in our district got his Visa yesterday. Supposedly Washington D.C. is the consulate to go through as a lot of elders are getting Visas from there I'm just curious how Jared got his so quickly. God works in mysterious ways. I've become close with my district as we spend all day every day together. I have also met some amazing people here at the MTC. If I have learned anything about Mormons who go on missions, it is that they are  hardworking, intelligent, people. We might give the Jews a run for their money. Literally. Haha. I was sick for a couple days here but the Mucinex really helped and the tums have been fighting the MTC food and so far are winning. I'm sorry the Cardinals did not win the world series but at least it was not the Yankees. That was a very nice Halloween card you sent me and the elders were impressed with the crazy eyes. I am learning a lot about the gospel here and how it can help people. 

The spirit is really strong here and I miss being home but its fun to be on an adventure. Especially when I do not know where in the US I will be in two weeks. The last district went to Cal, Wash., Flo. Miss. Tenn. and Salt Lake. So your guess is as good as mine. I'll let you know next Friday as we find out next Thursday. I guess it will be nice to teach some lessons in English. Well that's all for this week, other than the sweatshirts I do not think I need anything. A small reading light would be nice actually, but nothing too expensive, just get it from Amazon. I'm 170 pages in Jesus the Christ, Dad would be proud. Did  you know it was written in the SLC temple? You learn a lot of cool stuff here.

Until next week, 

Elder Percival