Hola!

Another week! I can't believe how fast they are going by!

Not much new to report on today. These last few weeks have been really slow as far as finding people to teach. We find people but we have a hard time getting them to church, or to progress for that matter! It's crazy BUT the less active work is going really well. Last night we had a cottage meeting (a name for a missionary-themed fireside they do every 6 weeks or so) and the Villarruel family came. They were less active when I got here, but we've been working with them and little by little they've become more and more active. They are now staying all three hours at church and I set them up with Bishop Almendariz to talk about setting a goal for receiving the priesthood and going to the temple. He's going to visit with them next Sunday!

Bishop and Sister Almendariz are so great! Sister Almendariz doesn't speak much Spanish and Bishop has been serving on the high counsel for many, many years before receiving his call as bishop; and I just love serving with the both of them. We are actually at the Bishop's house right now! They live WAY far out of the way but a while ago, Bishop was telling us about the pear butter that his wife makes. So we asked her about it and the told us to come down and that she would teach us. So here we are, in the process of making pear butter. It smells SO good and these pears were picked 2 days ago from their very own trees! I LOVE California!

Alma (Alma and Julio who were coming for the new year) started her chemotherapy. I don't remember if I wrote home about it, but she was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple months ago, and she got the surgery and was waiting to start the chemo. She didn't have anyone to go with her. She is such a strong woman and she was just gonna go by herself, but we offered to go with her for a little bit before Julio could get there and she seemed very grateful. So we ended up setting up exchanges and I went and sat with Alma for 2 hours (we had only planned for one). It was actually interesting to see how they do the whole thing, and going through it with Alma made me wish I could have gone through it with Grandma. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help Alma out because I've learned a lot about what Grandma had to go through. Anyway, she was feeling really good the next day but then she got really sick on Friday and has been sick since. I guess the first week after chemo is a really bad week and then the following two weeks are just normal. Anyway, she's so great and Julio as well, and they won't be coming to visit the new year; but as soon as everything is done with, they want to come out and visit!

Ricky, Alma's son, WAS going to move out to Colorado with his biological dad, but he decided to stay. I'm really happy about that! His dad works for the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park so I told Ricky that I'd bug him in Colorado too! He'd be in NUGGETS territory! I also told Alma I'd make sure he gets to church on Sundays. She seemed pleased, I think that's probably why he decided to stay! Lol! I'm just kidding. Anyway, everyone seems really glad that Ricky is staying! Dad, when is that Laker's Nuggets game? Can I have dibs on that one?

Anyway, as I said, not a whole lot to report on and now I must excuse myself to go finish pear butter and start helping get dinner ready! I can't wait for you all to come out here to Cali with me next year and meet all these amazing people!

I love you all. Good luck with school, work, family, kids etc... Until next, keep smiling cause your sister missionary loves your guts!

Love always-
Hermana Bradfield