Connect with Deb Ellis

 

RUBY: How long have you attended Troy United Methodist Church?

Deb: 13 years

RUBY: What drew you to this church?

Deb: I grew up in the Methodist Church. When my family moved to Glen Carbon in 2000, I knew I wanted to raise my children in the Methodist church. One Sunday I visited TUMC by myself; I had a 1-year old on my hip and a 3-1/2 year old under my feet. I must have looked desperate (or sleep deprived), because as soon as I walked thru the front door I was greeted by Tim Price. He immediately introduced me to other moms and by the end of the service I had a fist-full of phone numbers and I was enrolled in the church’s MOPS group! (I need to add that the music filled my soul and I was hooked!)

RUBY: Which service do you typically attend?

Deb: 9:30am

RUBY: Share a favorite Bible verse and/or inspirational song, and why this is a favorite.

Deb: The spirit really moves me through music. I love Word of God Speak by MercyMe – it touches my soul and brings tears to my eyes each and every time I hear it. There are a lot of different Bible verses that speak to me at the perfect moments in life. One verse that I try to apply to my life daily is “As water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” Proverbs 27:19 NIV

RUBY: Tell us about your involvement at Troy UMC and/or the community.

Deb: Oh my…I think I have tried about every committee & activity offered at church…from Preschool Board to VBS to Sanctuary Prep and Computer Data Entry. I even had a few failures, like Munch & Ministry. I am not a coffee drinker, so making the perfect pot of coffee stressed me out. I asked to quit that assignment early! And one year I helped team teach the Kindergarten Sunday School class. I learned quickly that was not my spiritual gift! In fact, that endeavor brought me to take Deb Inman’s spiritual gifts class…I have to admit that I have actually taken it twice! I am still working to find the right fit. I have now settled into the Mission Team and the Monday Afternoon Women’s Bible Study Group. I absolutely love the ladies in my Bible study group. I have grown so much in my faith because of these remarkable women. They are prayer warriors, survivors and my sisters in Christ. I have hardly missed a Monday in the past nine years!

As for my current community involvement, I work part-time at the Edwardsville YMCA as the Family Programs Coordinator. (I just celebrated my one-year anniversary.) Prior to the Y, I was a proud stay-home mom for 12 years! I am on the Board of Directors at the Main Street Community Center in Edwardsville. And when I have a free moment, you can usually find me volunteering at my daughters' school.

RUBY: Tell us about your family.

Deb: I met my husband Patrick in 1990. I lived in St. Louis; he was an Air Force Officer and pilot living in Southern California. (Our chance meeting can only be described as a “God Moment”) We dated long distance for 2-1/2 years and married in 1993. (We celebrated 20-years of marriage this past January!) While in the AF, we lived in Maryland and California. When my husband separated from Active Duty, we chose to move back to the Midwest to be near my family. I grew up in Effingham. (He is from Dallas, TX) We have two beautiful daughters. Meredith is 16 and Claire is 14. They both attend Edwardsville High School.

RUBY: Which historical time period would you most like to visit, and why?

Deb: I think I would love to go back to the 1920s and watch my Nana grow up. I so admired her. She was full of love, humility and compassion. I wanted to be just like her.

RUBY: Describe your favorite childhood game.

Deb: Kick the Can. We had massive games that would last all day…every kid in my neighborhood would play. I actually taught my daughters and their friends how to play. (We don’t have great hiding places in my yard so it didn’t really take off as I had hoped.)

RUBY: What's the best way to spend a rainy weekend?

Deb: I am an avid scrapbooker, so I would like to say I spend rainy weekends being creative. But the reality is…I am also a compulsive neat freak. So you would probably find me cleaning and organizing something in my house.

RUBY: How may we contact you in order to make a further connection?

Deb: E-mail is the best way to catch me – debsellis@sbcglobal.net