Winter has arrived here in the DC area. . . . . we have highs in the 30's and lows in the teens and fierce winds that have hit us this week.. so the thermal's and gloves and my new heavy coat have come out of hiding. 
It was a fun and very busy week:

    Monday I went visiting teaching with my new companion Kristi Hoefferle. We have the cutest mom Nicole that we get to visit each month. She has 3 of the sweetest kids and we really had a wonderful visit with her. 

 Nicole and her children CJ, her neice, Zander and Paula

Paula is 4 years old and knows the "Pledge of Allegiance"

     In the afternoon Sister Brown and I visited with Eileen, who has just returned to church.  She was the one who approached me at the bank a week or so ago and talked to me. She has been coming to church each week and it was really fun to get to know her.
     Monday evening we had our monthly "Empty Nester's Family Home Evening".. it was at the Kirby's home and there was a great group attending.  We have dinner and then we had an activity using scriptures to talk about the various kinds of love.. We read the scripture and then told how the scripture related to love in our life.  It was a very fun evening.  We are really getting to know everyone in the group and making such wonderful friends.

Our Empty Nesters Family Home Evening Group

     Tuesday we visited with Bonnie and who is the young women's president in the 1st ward and we really wanted to get to know her and had a great visit. Our next visit was with a very sweet sister Kristine who lives in Indian Head.  She lives with her family and always loves to have us visit with her.  Sister Brown has also altered some of her clothes for her.  It was a great visit 
     Tuesday evening I went to the monthly card club.. Out theme was using the color red in our cards.  We each make a card to share with everyone.. So we not only get to have class from Tina and make 2 cards while we are there, but we also get to take home all of the cards we swap with each other..

Tina is our instructor.. She is a Stampin Up rep

The card I designed to take part in the swap

Wednesday was our district meeting before our temple shift. 

I was asked to give the thought. 
I shared this thought by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"While understanding the “what” and the “how” of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the “why.” When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."

Our day at the temple was wonderful, I really love the time I get to spend each week helping thise who come to serve in the temple.

  On Thursday Sister Brown had PT in the morning and her new doctor is putting her on a very aggressive routine in therapy.. so she was wiped out when she returned she rested for the afternoon.

      Friday we drove out to see Tamara, She lives out in Mechanicsville and we love the drive out there.  We didn't know Tamara, she hasn't been able to come to church often because of health issues.  We were told that she only wanted one visit per quarter so we were a little leery to call her, but she was so receptive and warm to us as we visited.  She is a private consultant for the dept. of defense of the US.  Such a smart woman, who just happened to be working from home on Friday. It was so nice to get to know such an amazing woman. She lived about a mile from the Patuxent River, so of course we had to drive down to the water. The river is one of the tributaries of the Chesapeake.

     Friday evening we had been invited to 2 different events; 1st ward was having a Valentines dinner and dance and Kristi was having an at home party.  Sister Brown went to the church to the Valentines dinner and I went to Kristi's.  We each had a fun time and were so glad that we could split up and attend each event..

At Kristi's party with her neighbor

     Saturday, I worked on taxes all day.. almost finished putting my spread sheet together, waiting for the tax documents to include in my package to my fabulous brother in law who so graciously does my taxes for me each year.. In the evening, we were invited to a going away party for the Greismeyer family, who are moving to North Carolina due to his duty re-assignment in the Air Force. They are the cutest family and we will miss them.  They have 3 girls and one boy.. who are very generous with hugs for these Gramas far from home. 

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."
--President Thomas S. Monson.

Have a great week everyone..