He requested chicken and dumplings for dinner and we all gathered round to celebrate with him. Even ChristiAnne FaceTimed in to join the celebration. 
Dad opened all his presents. There were two yellow ties, a white Eddie Bauer tee shirt, and a white Nike golf hat. These are the regular presents he gets every year for Father's Day, his birthday and Christmas. We also got him a mosquito net, a three pronged power converter, sunscreen, beef jerky, power bars, and a money fanny pack with RFID so nobody can steal his identity while he is traveling next week. We ate cheesecake and sang a terribly harmonic rendition of Happy Birthdsy, as is the Peterson family rendition.
6/27/2015
Hi Lara,
I have arrived in Juba. Thank you so much for the email. I have tears pouring down my face. Thanks for the encouragement. This place is far more 3rd world than I had imagined. It is going to be hard physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It is definitely not a joy ride, and I am not sure at this point if I would bring my family. I sure love you! Always, Dad
On 6/27/15, 11:10 AM, "Lara Peterson" <laralarisse.petey@gmail.com> wrote:
>Happy Birthday Daddy!!
>
>I can't believe how fast time has flown. Only yesterday it seems like we were wrestling around in the family room with your green blanket. Or building car tunnels in the sand box, or building a "tree house" in our back yard. I love you so much Dad, and it's only appropriate that Father's Day is a week before your birthday because you have always been the most wonderful kind and caring father there is. Although at times my struggles and hardships might have made you feel under-qualified for the task at hand, you always tried your hardest to figure it out.
>
>You are an inspiration to me Dad. You are a great example of someone who pushes forward with faith, not knowing beforehand what he should do. I've always watched in awe as you over come the impossible time and time again. You've taught me hat anything is possible, so long as you have faith. I've been able to realize and recognize my father in heaven because of my father here on earth. You showed me what a great father is, and therefore I was able to understand who my Heavenly Father is.
>
>You're going to do great things in Africa. It's going to be hard both physically and emotionally, but you'll be doing the Lords work. If you can get through your mission, Africa will be a breeze. I love you Dad and I Know that Heavenly Father will take care of you.
>
>I love you dad,
>
>Love Lara
I have arrived in Juba. Thank you so much for the email. I have tears pouring down my face. Thanks for the encouragement. This place is far more 3rd world than I had imagined. It is going to be hard physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It is definitely not a joy ride, and I am not sure at this point if I would bring my family. I sure love you! Always, Dad
On 6/27/15, 11:10 AM, "Lara Peterson" <laralarisse.petey@gmail.com> wrote:
>Happy Birthday Daddy!!
>
>I can't believe how fast time has flown. Only yesterday it seems like we were wrestling around in the family room with your green blanket. Or building car tunnels in the sand box, or building a "tree house" in our back yard. I love you so much Dad, and it's only appropriate that Father's Day is a week before your birthday because you have always been the most wonderful kind and caring father there is. Although at times my struggles and hardships might have made you feel under-qualified for the task at hand, you always tried your hardest to figure it out.
>
>You are an inspiration to me Dad. You are a great example of someone who pushes forward with faith, not knowing beforehand what he should do. I've always watched in awe as you over come the impossible time and time again. You've taught me hat anything is possible, so long as you have faith. I've been able to realize and recognize my father in heaven because of my father here on earth. You showed me what a great father is, and therefore I was able to understand who my Heavenly Father is.
>
>You're going to do great things in Africa. It's going to be hard both physically and emotionally, but you'll be doing the Lords work. If you can get through your mission, Africa will be a breeze. I love you Dad and I Know that Heavenly Father will take care of you.
>
>I love you dad,
>
>Love Lara
