Debbie Dalaeli

Which famous person would play you in a movie?
Patricia Heaton who played Debra on “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

What is your most embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment is too embarrassing to share.  My most recent embarrassing moment was when I sent out an update to the staff about two different people we had been praying for with very serious medical issues.  One is a pastor’s wife in the area.  I titled the e-mail with our member’s name and “the Pastor’s wife” which made it appear there was something going on between the two of them.  I died laughing later when I read it.

What are your pet peeves?
I hate it when people are disrespectful of other people.  To me, everyone is important no matter whether they are rich or poor, how they look, dress, color,  nationality, etc.

What would you like to ask God when you get to heaven?
Why innocent children have to suffer because of the actions of adults.

What super power would you like to have and why?
The ability to go at a high rate of speed so that I could get everything I expect of myself done in a flash.  Without that super power, it’s not happening.

Who is your favorite artist/musician?
I admire Dennis Jernigan who wrote many of the praise songs we sing.  It is not that he is extraordinarily musically talented but that he has a heart for God that leads me to the throne.  He has overcome some big obstacles in his life and he is a life that has been transformed.

What are your hobbies/interests?
Gardening, home improvements, and watching HGTV

Who first introduced you to Jesus Christ?
I grew up knowing about Jesus because of the friends and family in my life.  In my teen years, I remember the pastor of the Baptist Church we were attending coming to our Sunday School Class and giving the gospel presentation and feeling that Jesus was knocking at my heart’s door when we prayed but I was too proud to respond. 

Who most influenced your walk with Christ and why?
Fern Nichols, who is the founder of a prayer ministry called Moms In Touch.  Although I have only met her once, being a part of the MITI ministry has changed my prayer life and deepened my relationship with the Lord. 

Please tell us about your family.
I have been married to my husband, Sam, for 30+ years.  We have 3 sons:  Josef 27, Kevin 23, and John 13.  This year I gained two girls when Kevin married my beautiful daughter-in-love, April, and I gained her daughter and now my granddaughter, Maylonie.

Please tell us about your call to Central.
I have been a member of Central for over 20 years.  My whole family was saved and baptized in this church.  I love my church family and I see my work as serving them and the Lord.

Please tell us about your upbringing.
I grew up in a very stable home.  We didn’t consistently go to church until I was 11 but my parents always set Christian standards in our home.  My sister and I were always involved in many activities so my mom was the Girl Scout leader, the 4-H sponsor, etc.  Dad worked long hours so Mom could stay home with us and be more involved in whatever we were doing.

If you couldn’t do what you are doing now, what would you do?
Flip houses—buy rundown homes in good neighborhoods and restore them to resell.   Unfortunately, that takes money

What do you love the most about your job?
I love helping people connect through visitation, Sunday School, VBS, and prayer.  I do the paperwork behind the scenes that helps make that happen.
 
Please share your salvation experience in how you came to Christ.
I have always believed there was a God. When I was 19, I married a man who was Moslem. In order for his family to accept me, I agreed to become a Moslem. I read the Koran, their holy book, and tried to follow their beliefs but there was always something missing. I thought they believed in God, but their religion was very empty for me. I was a good person and tried to live a moral life and be “good” enough, but I was never “good enough”.

When my son was about five, he started going on a church bus to a Baptist church. My mother-in-law, a devout Moslem who lived with us, asked which religion we would follow. It started me searching for the truth. I discovered the piece that was missing in the Moslem religion. I knew I could never be “good enough” and God didn’t require me to be “good enough”.

When I made that decision, I received eternal life, I feel like my life is complete—nothing is missing. I do my best to be a good person but I still make mistakes. I feel secure knowing my eternity is not based on my performace. When I finally realized this truth, that was the day I knew God loved me because of the CROSS.

My testimony is posted on www.mostimportantthing.com.  You should check it out for more testimonies of people who have had life-changing experiences with Jesus Christ.