Only a month left until I head home for Michigan. I feel like I'll have adequate time to say goodbye here in Knoxville, but my days in Vestaburg are short. But Northern Friends, take heart! You can still see me before I leave. Stop by my house any time on May 20th, and enjoy the fun and fellowship of the Penwell household.





Every other day is off limits unless you happen to be my little sister,


or my big brother


or my daddy


or my mum.

I have a plane ticket! I feel like Charlie Bucket singing "I've got a Golden Ticket!" My eyes twinkle like gold, because a ticket to Thailand outweighs a trip to the Chocolate Factory. After a few months of difficult language study and culture shock, I suppose I'll hum a different tune. As for now I'll whistle my way home on May 13th, and 10 days later (May 23!) I'll sing on over to BKK.
Get out of bed and dance with me, Friends! I'm going to Thailand.

Oh, and by the way, I'm not opposed to chocolate. In fact, I'll sing the praises of anyone who decides that's a nice going away present.

At the annual Gatlinburg Retreat I met up with my team leaders, Greg and Allison for the afternoon. All six of our 2006 exchange students attended the retreat, and we met for prayer and introductions. In June, we'll graft these students into the Grapevine's ministry for the new semester. We appreciate all the prayers you can send our way as we share Christ's love with the Thai.

" and on the vine were three branches.
As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and it's clusters ripened into grapes."
- Genesis 40:10