Summer Weddings

Dan performed a wedding a few weekends back for Kelly and Tyler. Kelly, was one of Dan's old student's at Shepherd of the Hills during his internship year at seminary. Her parents no longer live in the cities or go to SOTH, but that's where Kelly wanted to get married and with her former youth director presiding over the service. It was fun to see the church he worked at for 3 years and meet some of his old students. We didn't get to stay long at the wedding since Dan preached the next day, but it was worth it!

Favre To Stay Retired???

Queen Favre, as I like to call him, has decided NOT to play for the Minnesota Vikings.....that is until next week when something else comes along, or next year he decides that the world revolves around him again!

UPDATE*********************************UPDATE***********************UPDATE***********
It has now been proven true....Mr. Favre didn't want to take part in early practices, so he signs RIGHT before the first games. WHAT a spoiled baby!

Random Thoughts From the Dornfelds

-Dan made it home safely from New Orleans...it'll be interesting to see what type of sleep patterns he ends up having for the next week or so with very little sleep in the last week.
-He was able to connect with Mike and the students from Bismarck....he said it was so awesome to get to see them and they enjoyed hanging out at Six Flags on the way down. I believe quite a few Paynesville students made some connections with the Bismarck students too.
-He also ran into half of his old classmates from seminary, but only for brief 10 second greetings.
-The "boys" and I held down the fort at home. We filled our own tires, mowed the lawn, assessed our toaster situation, locked ourselves out of the house, and got back in using our "super skills", all on our own:)
-We are just shy of putting 100 miles on our bikes this summer...my trusty odometer tells me so! Dan probably has more with his short, but frequent trips to and from work.
-I taught a science invention camp to many rambunctious students while Dan was away. I realized I'm way out of "teacher shape" to be on my feet ALL day.
-I miss having my own classroom, BUT I don't miss grading papers for hours!
-One of the teaching assistants is a pastor's wife! So excited...we exchanged emails and she said she'd love to have a venting partner. When she told me their congregation members were angry with her husband for not having a New Year's Eve party for their kids 3 DAYS after she gave birth I knew she and I would be able to relate.
-My mom came to visit and stay with me again while Dan was gone , which I so greatly appreciate.
-I proceeded to have a 2 1/2 day long headache, but we still had fun!
-Lately, Riker, has been kicked to the hallway at night since his snoring is SERIOUSLY so loud that Dan can't sleep.
-Meeko has enjoyed sleeping with "mom" this week...he makes it until about 6:30 in the morning and then sits on our nightstands and meows at the wall...at whom...I have no idea. He is then escorted to the basement and I proceed to seek out a few more hours of sleep.
-That's about it for now...until next time:)

The Brothers Geek:)

This made me giggle....Dan called the first day from New Orleans and was all excited that he and Stu were going to share the same time slot at the convention center with their students at the National Youth Convention. Apparently they both showed up in ZELDA t-shirts! I thought it was cute. They might be different in some ways, but they sure are alike in other geeky ways:) Geeky in a good way!

I Need a Customized Friend

I labeled this post under "rant", but I don't want it to come out like I'm angry right now. This is more of a desperate search to find someone out in the big world like me. Although I have made some great friends here, my title is about needing a friend who gets what it's like to have some sometimes crazy and hilarious expectations from people.

Becoming a pastor's wife can be difficult, but there are times when it is very rewarding. I love being around people. I love laughing and talking and honestly I feel like I can relate or at least carry on a fun conversation with just about anyone. I am an extrovert so being a PW gives me that fulfillment. Another plus is the fact that my husband and I can have a relationship with each other and with God. That was always my #1 priority when trying to find a mate. I wanted someone that I could talk with about our faith, life, God, etc. I also love hearing my husband preach,and watching him nurture other people. Most importantly we have made some amazing friends along the way that we otherwise wouldn't have made.

Unfortunately, I'm not focusing on the "good" things about being a pastor's wife today because lately I've been struggling to feel like I'm normal in the fact that so many things bother me about being a PW. I know it's ok to struggle with this, but living in a small town you can't really go to anyone in that town to confess your frustrations...it'll likely get back to people that woops, you aren't this perfect little PW that they've been expecting you to be. Right now I'm focusing on finding an outlet so that the negatives of being a PW don't outweigh the positives. I'm seeking, you could say, help!

So, last year I joined a PW forum. That's been a good experience. I've befriended a super cool Pentecostal woman I still keep in contact with. I've also met some really nice Missouri Synod wives. I'm frustrated though because I have yet to meet a younger PW, of the same denomination, that struggles with the same types of things. So for now, the forum is ok. I just don't feel "on the same level" as many of the women, which immediately makes me feel like I am all wrong for this role. I sometimes wonder if there is anyone out there that is a younger, ELCA lutheran, liberal, fiesty, don't push me around type of PW.

I didn't give up though! I tried searching for some blogs. Amazing women they seem to be, I must tell you. Quoting scripture, praying, etc...I guess their blogs are more of a ministry blog instead of about their everyday real lives. Not that them praying and things isn't their real lives, but do you know what I mean? I want to meet another PW that isn't afraid to say my house is so dirty right now that we now share living quarters with fruit flies. C'mon...isn't anyone else out there get tired of portraying this perfect image! I'm sure a lot of them are very human....they're probably too scared to share anything that isn't spiritual, positive, and good. I know first hand...you can be judged for that. They are probably just avoiding any type of negative feedback.

Anyway, so here I sit searching and searching for someone who is more like me. Someone in the same boat. I won't give up, but if you happen to run across anyone before I do let me know.

Here's what my classified ad would say....

Small town progressive Pastor's Wife seeks mid-twenties PW who struggles with the daily grind of being a PW. Must have open minded views (no racism, sexism, or classism please) and be willing to admit sometimes being a PW ticks them off. Must be able to admit the former statement out loud. Not being very good at singing, playing the piano, or cooking would be a plus. Must not talk like you are a walking bible study 100% of the time. Of course, Godly conversation and mutual friendship is preferred.


Is that too much to ask? I guess my ad is pretty precise and I'm totally kidding about the cooking, singing, piano playing thing. I just don't do any of those well. Maybe God is listening though:) Sending up a little prayer, because frankly I think my husband wants to duct tape my mouth shut sometimes:) I can't blame him.....I am not one to keep my mouth shut...oops!

Bismarck Trips

Dan and I were able to spend a few short days in Bismarck together the other week. We stayed at hotel Liepitz where the owners shared laughs and conversation with us each night. I was then able to go back again the next week for a few more days and embark on a camping/kayaking trip with two of my cousins and my uncle. Dan was disappointed that Johnny Holmes wasn't playing at Party on the Prairie, but we did have a lot of fun with my family hanging out at Jill's house even though it was much mellower than year's past:)

Our camping trip was awesome, we had great weather. My aunt asked how it was as we pulled up to their house 3 hours behind schedule, but no one could utter a word from exhaustion. Even though we finished with negative calories in our bodies, we feasted, and then was able to share a bit about our journey.

I was able to meet up with some Good Shepherd Ladies one night and I wanted to share some pictures of the most exciting guests. I know their mommies just might check our blog from time to time so feel free to get these pictures copied to your computers! Ben and Lydia entertained us and they were great!

Jillian Harris is a Trainwreck!

Ok, so most people who read our blog probably don't watch "The Bachelorette", but as you probably already know this is my ONE tv guilty pleasure of watching a complete incorrect and horrible representation (ok maybe 3rd,so I'll be honest) about what love is and blah, blah, blah....all of that. But, I'm not single and hopelessly wishing something like this could happen to me, nor was I when I used to watch it single....so, in my mind that makes it ok:) Ha!

Anyway, this girl is super cool, but is the absolute poster child for "Hi, my name is (insert name here), and the more you treat me like crap the more I'll stare dreamily into your eyes and want to marry you". I know this kind of thing happens all of the time, and I'll admit maybe to myself a few times, but GEEZ....not on national tv. She's making a horrible impression for women everywhere.....don't make us out to be so STUPID. I know the show is probably already over, but I'm going to say a little prayer that she eventually dumps this guy who is trying to promote his music career/has a girlfriend possibly. I don't care how much they cut and paste his comments and take them out of context he's got CREEP written all over him. My internal "character meter" is screaming RUN!