Our last papers are still in London, and will hopefully get back early next week ready to be sent. Our lawyer did ask if we were sending out new blood test results, which scared us a bit as we had them done already- but when we pointed out that they should have still been in date when he presented them to the government, he agreed that they were. Phew! (He thought we would have extra done anyway?! More needles? No thanks!)

A HUGE thank you to Mum and Dad who returned from their holidays bearing a paper bag with a hole in! Inside was this gorgeous Peruvian doll holding an infant. (The hole was made by the shop owner to allow for breathing!!) Thank you- this will be a special addition to our Peruvian collection. Also they bought some traditional Peruvian jewellery- beautiful xx

Will post as soon as our last papers are on the move, and then we wait...

The sorters did look after our papers!

Friday, February 19, 2010
Delivered - Signed for: 16:23 Lima - Peru

And this morning our lovely lawyer sent this message:

Hola, I got the documents and BEAUTIFUL pictures; Gracias!

Glad he likes them, as we were not sure what he wanted from his instructions! We can do nothing now but wait. Hopefully he will like the documents too and won't feel like anything is missing. (But I am preparing myself just in case!) The next bundle will be back from London by Friday, and then will also be sent. After that we should make it to THE LIST!! (approved families waiting for a match) Maybe then it will feel super real, rather than theory! During these next few weeks we will practice 'waiting'! We will be doing a lot of that!!

Our sorters in Peru?!

Once again a bundle of our papers has arrived in Peru!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Shipment picked up12:04

Departed Facility in Bristol - UK18:40

Arrived at Sort Facility East Midlands - UK21:16

Thursday, February 18, 2010
Departed Facility in East Midlands - UK02:48
Arrived at Sort Facility Madrid - Spain06:37

Departed Facility in Madrid - Spain12:02

Friday, February 19, 2010
Arrived at Sort Facility Lima - Peru02:10

We visited the notary again last night and sent our last final items to London to be stamped. It is a pain that we could not send them together with the last lot of papers, but we needed to get the bundle translated and out there as soon as possible. This last (?) lot should be back in our notary by thye end of next week, and will then be sent out to Peru. Will this be it? We asked that of our lawyer in Peru and he said 'Maybe tell me what football team you support?' I think that is his way of saying yes!!

Look after our papers please sorters!!

Hi all,

Our paperwork is travelling to Peru after visiting London, and has just left Spain!! Should be in Lima soon.

We got an e-mail yesterday from Peru outlining the new deadline. Thanks for your prayers because they were heard... we have been awarded 90 extra days!! A record?! Longer than others have been given and more than enough time for us to get sorted.

Also the extra documents that we didn't have ready are now together and will be going to the notary today, ready for us to sign and get going. The last papers we need?!! We've said that before so we are trying not to get too hopeful! Will let you know..

Just to let you know, we went to our notary/lawyer in the UK tonight to sign a few documents and get them sent to the consulate, embassy, back here and then off to Peru. We even had to lay our hands on a Bible and swear that all was true and accurate! It feels good to see them go, and now we think we have 2 more items to complete to send at a later date, hopefully!! Will keep you posted...

The last few days have been very stressful, and the process really does test you to the limit! On Thursday evening we received the official paper from the Peruvian Government, which outlines the extra things you need to provide in order for your application to be complete. When you first submit your papers the read it and will ask for clarification on points on anything that is missing (I'm pretty sure they will always find something so brace yourself if you are going through this too!) It came to us in Spanish, and thanks to our lovely international family we got it translated straight away! Thank you xx

As our lawyer in Peru had already told us what he thought we would need, we didn't think there would be any surprises. There was! Most of it we have or is on the way (except the darn medical forms, which after another, slightly stronger phone call should be returned early next week). However, they also want clarification on details about Catherine's social history, how our relationship evolved, and how long we have been preparing for this process. All of which has to be submitted by our social worker, WITHIN 15 DAYS!!! If we hadn't already done most of it this would have been so much worse, and we are so grateful that our lawyer knows his stuff. (I would really recommend him!) The deadline scared us allot, so we e-mailed him straight away and asked if we could get an extension. We also prayed hard that we could get the medicals, we could begin collecting any extra details soon, and above all that we would feel Gods peace which surpasses understanding. That night neither of us slept well, and teaching the next day was a struggle. It is hard thinking you are nearly there each time, and then facing more bureaucracy and more waits. We keep asking, how much more?! Surely they know enough? But no!

Anyway, during yesterday our friends and family prayed, and their friends prayed. By the end of the day, the medicals were done and are being sent, our lawyer told us not to worry, he would get an extension on the time, and peace prevailed! We had so many encouraging words and both felt so much happier. We had relayed our anxiety to our lawyer in Peru, who sent us the sweetest message:

VERY DEAR CATHERINE,

FIRST THAN ANYTHING, YOU CAN NOT BE STRESSED OR LOOSING SLEEP, BECAUSE YOU ARE PREGNANT, SO YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BEAUTIFUL, RELAXED AND HAPPY FOR THE MOMENT YOU GET YOUR CHILD.

It is so amazing to be working with someone who really understands the significance and enormity of this process, and has their eyes on the end goal. It is so easy to only see hurdles and paperwork, bills and appointments.

As we were reminded, this is sorted in the heavens, it's just working out on earth! We needed to know His peace. The night we received the e-mail, the lyrics of this Hillsongs song became my prayer:

Father of life draw me closer
Lord, my heart is set on you
Let me run the race of time
With you life unfolding mine
And let the peace of God
Let it reign

Oh Holy Spirit Lord my comfort
Strengthen me hold my head up high
And I stand upon your truth
Bringing glory unto you
And let the peace of God
Let it reign

(Chorus)
Oh Lord I hunger for more of you
Rise up within me let me know your truth
Oh Holy Spirit, saturate my soul
And let the life of God
Fill me now
Let your healing power
Breathe life and make me whole
And the peace of God
Let it reign


We are praying that His peace and truth will sustain us, and despite the emotional ups and downs, we would know His peace, strength and comfort filling us each day. That we can 'hold our head up high' and not be downhearted! Thanks for your ongoing support, will keep you updated x

It's my birthday! It was great to spend time with special fiends and chat to my family. And I recieved a special birthday message from our lawyer in Peru! How nice!!x

We have asked the doctor today to write a note to go with our renewed medical docs to state that 'we are free from infectious illness'! Apparently Peru like that phrase to be included in your medical details, and we don't want to give them any reason to send them back or ask for things to be redone!! We have got an appointment to see our UK lawyers on Friday, but we are really praying that the medical docs come earlier and we can get things moving ASAP! More photos to get printed tomorrow, ones of our wedding and if possible 'a kissing one would be good'!!! One more job done ...