The Best Summer Ever

July 14, 2013

I was scheduled to serve in our church's children's ministry this morning, which means I usually attend the early church service at 8:15 and teach at 10:15.  I gave Michel the option of coming with me at 8:00, sitting with me in the adult service, then attending the kids' programming at 10:15, or staying home with the rest of the crew.  She wanted to join me, despite having a late bedtime Saturday night.  She asked what time we needed to leave, then asked for help setting her alarm for 7:00.

Somehow, I didn't wake up to my alarm - I set it wrong, or it didn't go off, or my poor little tired brain slept through it - and the whole household was sound asleep at 7:00 when I should have gotten up...and at 8:00 when we needed to leave.  That is, the whole household except Michel.  Bless her heart - she woke up with her alarm at 7:00, showered, got dressed, and came to tell me it was time to go at 8:00.  I moved quickly, and we weren't too late for church.  We sat in the back so I could interpret the sermon for Michel.  She did great listening patiently, but I could tell her interest was fading by the end of the message.  (Sorry, Pastor Steve - it was a really great message, but it's a lot for an eleven-year-old to take in, especially in a foreign language!)

Michel joined the kids' program for the second service, and she did great participating in all of the games and activities.  I supervised games for the kindergarten through fifth graders, and she jumped right in and joined each activity.  Even if she didn't understand all of the instructions, she picks up very quickly by watching the other kids and imitating what they do.

After church, Mike's parents joined us for lunch at Z'Marik's, one of our family's favorite local restaurants.  Michel wasn't sure if she'd like anything on the menu, so she offered to eat at home.  I told her she could try a little of each food we ordered, then choose something she liked.  She liked my fajita bowl and ordered her own version, but without peppers, onions, sour cream, or cheese...leaving pretty much a bowl of rice and chicken.  Other than being a tad spicy for her taste, she said she liked it and finished her portion.

At lunch, the kids commandeered Google Translate on Mike's phone.  The boys gave up on waiting for me to translate and took matters into their own hands.  Mike's parents also enjoyed the chance to communicate a little more directly with Michel.  Michel spoke into Mike's phone in Spanish and let Google tell Ken and Donna that she was sorry to see them leave.  They told her how much they enjoyed meeting her and would miss her when they return to Kansas City.  She responded by saying, "This has been the best summer ever."  I was touched to know that her time here has meant so much. I pray that this is one of many, many joyful summers she can experience with a forever family.

In the car after lunch, Michel continued to use Google Translate to convey messages to us.  At one point, she passed the phone forward to show the words, "I love you."  Oh, how I want for her to have a family that can reciprocate that love!  She has such a big heart, and she is ready to have parents who can love her forever.

I never thought Google Translate would make me cry...

In her growing list of "firsts" for this summer, Michel had her first ice cream at Dairy Queen (an essential part of the American summer experience, if you ask me), and her first trip through the car wash.  She was undaunted by the car wash and enjoyed watching the soapy bubbles wash the car clean.  I keep wondering if something will be frightening to her, or at least cause her to feel uncertain, but she handles new experiences with ease and confidence.

Michel poked an oversized straw into the top of her dipped cone.  Brilliant!

Michel continues to enjoy cards and other "table games."  I taught her how to play Phase 10, and she caught on very quickly with little explanation.  Although she definitely likes to win, I'm impressed with how well she handles losing as well.  She was beating me by quite a bit for the first several hands of Phase 10, but ultimately, I came back and won 415-385.  She rolled with the loss and was ready for another round as soon as possible!

Through the games we play, I have enjoyed seeing Michel's skills that might not otherwise be demonstrated this summer.  As she counts winning points and cards left over, and adds points to determine a winner, she has shown that she has very strong "mental math" skills - the ability to add and subtract numbers within her head.  She now remembers how many cards are in Spot It!, and when she knows one team's score, she subtracts it from the total number of cards to calculate the other team's score, rather than waiting for someone to count up the cards.  She takes her studies seriously, and I'm guessing she does very well in school.

Tonight, Michel discovered the dishwasher for the first time.  She stood next to me as I rinsed dishes and placed them in the racks.  She watched for a moment, then asked, "Does that wash your dishes?" She seemed thrilled by the idea of a machine that would wash dishes all by itself.  Ah, the joys of modern American convenience!

Really?  You just put the dishes in the machine and they come out clean??

It is hard to believe that we have almost reached the halfway mark of Michel's time with us.  I pray that before she leaves, she will have met the family that will one day travel to Colombia and bring her home forever.

Thank you for joining us in this journey.  Please continue to share this blog with others.  You never know who might be a part of Michel Dayana's Summer Miracle.