Well it's a new year and It doesn't feel any different...we stayed up til 12:00 midnight just to say we did and when it came time we're like wow that was stupid lets go to bed.

Zone Conference was pretty good, talked a lot about the importance of family, we talked about proposition 8, of course everyone who was from California knew about it.  We all got to share our testimonies, I mainly gave thanks to Joseph and the Book of Mormon, I had a few tears and Sister Pugh had a lot.

We saw a less active, her family and a friend with her kids.  After we shared our lesson, I asked if anyone needed a blessing, not really knowing why..  The friend told us that her 5 year old was being haunted by some type of demon.  She said that her 5 year old described her with such detail it made them leave the home and stay with relatives.  We sat her down on a chair as I began to give her a blessing, a very, very uncomfortable feeling came over me as I tried to speak.  A very uneasy, dark, sick, feeling, I began the blessing and as soon as I said, "In the name of Jesus Christ," that felling was gone.  I gave the blessing and she thanked us greatly, we shared a quick restoration lesson and gave her a Book of Mormon.  

I know the power of the priesthood is real, it has the ability to cast away the evils that Satan brings into this world, and the priesthood overcomes it every time!

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting, I bore my testimony of the importance of church and related it to riding my bike with dad.

"There was a hill I would ride a few time a week, starting at the bottom, looking up and begin to start the climb to the top.  About half-way up feeling tired, and out of breath, thinking of quitting and just go back down.  Continuing to the top putting thoughts of discouragement behind me, finally reaching the top.  My dad and I would enjoy the view, sun and each others company.  Every time we came to the top of that hill, it was peaceful, uplifting, and joyful to be able to enjoy the scenery and time with my dad.  I felt I could be there all day.  At the beginning of each week we in a way endure the "hills" of the world.  Sometime we feel  like giving up, but our father helps us along the way by our side.  And when we come to the end of the week, we are able to enjoy coming to Church with our family and feeling the joy, peace and warmth of our Father in Heaven and remembering his son Jesus Christ.  I'm grateful for my fathers example towards me and my fathers example for me in preparing me for my mission."

Love your son, your missionary

Elder Holmes