I was touched by the nice article, “To the Editor,” by SGT Angela Gowen’s greetings from Iraq in last week’s News-Reporter, December 29. It was good to see her familiar face and think with all going on in her line of duty, she took time to write to all of us back home, reminding us that simple things in life can be our richest gift; and how all of the soldiers appreciate our prayer support. She brought to our attention that her children, Megan Olivia Gowen, being a student at Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School, and John Robert Gowen II is a student at Washington-Wilkes Middle School. Did you readers notice that daughter Megan was also pictured in the paper elsewhere with a group of Washington-Wilkes Interact Club and Washington Rotary Club members who worked to wrap presents for the Angel Tree program this year where over 250 children received needed Christmas gifts. A great mission project. Speaking of missions, I would like to thank all who gave a special offering to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for foreign missions. The Christian Index, Georgia Baptists oldest newspaper established in 1822, December 22, 2005, paper carries a four-page story of Lottie Moon who served as a missionary at the turn of the 20th century. Lottie died on Christmas Eve 1912, at the age of 72. Her legacy continues to live on. Churches of the Georgia Baptist Association, don’t forget the youth rally this Friday night, January 6, at the Mission Center at 6 p.m. Interested friends are always invited to take part. It was nice to have Rev. Lem Clark of Penfield Christian Home to fill in for Pastor Bob Rayner on New Year’s Day at Phillips Mill Baptist Church. The Rayners were out of town for a special service in North Carolina. It was also nice to have Virginia Stevens (Mrs. Rady) Hunter back at church after recovering from recent surgery. Morrison and Priscilla Maxwell joined their daughter, Mary Jane Scarborough, and son, Tyler, for a visit with their aunt, Miriam Poss (Mrs. Malcolm) Durham, and family Sunday afternoon near Bethesda Baptist Church in Greene County. They also visited other relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Patterson, and his brother, Lester Patterson, of Missouri, at the home of their first cousin, Mrs. Elmyra Patterson Chafin in Washington. The Maxwells enjoyed having their son Lee home for the Christmas holidays. I hope to have a piece on loved ones who died recently next week. Smile. God loves you.