A Post from the Past

 

 

 Shelley and I on a Bluebonnet Trip 

I wrote the article below on September 9, 2018. That was six years ago. At that time, our daughter was in the middle of her dementia journey. She completed her passage on October 26, 2024.

With emptiness, I go through my blog and my YouTube posts to find comfort from my own words.

Odd, isn’t it?  I find past thoughts and Scriptures I’ve shared now soothe me. I didn’t consider the idea of searching for my own words, but a friend did. She sent me links to the words I had written.

It is difficult to cheer up a grieving person, and who would think your own words could have an effect?

A few people said to me, “She gained her wings.” Or, “She’s an angel now.”

These are sweet statements, but they aren’t Biblical.

She is in heaven now, and she’s enjoying the angels. In the last days, before she left Earth, her eyes grew large. I’d ask, “Who do you see, Shelley? Do you see the angels?”

She never communicated one way or the other. I believe we can see into the supernatural, and she must have seen things she couldn’t talk about.

I’d love to see an angel for real and receive a message, but so far, I haven’t. However, as this article says, I have the Holy Spirit, and He is also known as the Comforter.

 

From Six Years Ago.

 

 Angel Powers

Angels can physically perform what the Holy Spirit can't. 

Beg your pardon? How's that?

The Holy Spirit lives within a person. An angel does not. Angels exist outside human bodies in the natural and supernatural realm.

Angels are God's messengers. They deliver God's communication in a direct, corporal way.  For instance: the Angel Gabriel appeared and gave news to a stunned Mary. He said something like, "Fear not, you'll be the virgin mother of Jesus." Shocking news, right?

Gabriel later appeared to Joseph, Mary's intended, in a dream, and after the birth of Jesus, a body of angels filled the skies one night and announced the arrival of the Messiah to shepherds.

So, they can talk to us. Another role of angels is that of guardian.

People have reported seeing angels use their protective skills, as in the case of Elisha.

"And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, Lord that he may see,' They the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he looked and saw the hill full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."  NIV. 2 Kings 6:17.

Angels can perform physical acts, mighty things that the Holy Spirit can't, but they aren't around all the time to give communication or protection. The Holy Spirit is! 

Upon an acceptance of Jesus, we begin a relationship with Him. He sends His Spirit to dwell within our soul. The Holy Spirit brings us evidence of our connection to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit takes up residence and never leaves us. His purpose is to lead, teach, comfort, and convict us of sin.  He also helps us pray. He knows God's language and speaks to Him in words we don't know. He interprets our thoughts and needs to the Father. 

I write about Sarah, an angel, sent to help and communicate with humans. She's a chaotic, bumbling, lovable misfit, and she relates well to mortals. She's funny and makes you laugh. Like all angels, she's limited.

Not so with the Holy Spirit.

I may not always have an angel nearby, after all, Sarah has others to help besides me, but I'll always have His Spirit with me.

And I have my memories.

Here's my newest Sarah book. It came out a few months ago.

Sarah Stalks the Wrong Stalker

Our Daughter Lives Now in Heaven

 

Shelley Lewis McGregor

1963 - 2024

 

Shelley Lewis McGregor passed away on October 26, 2024, at the age of sixty-one, in a memory care facility in Richmond, Texas. Born on March 6, 1963, Shelley was known for her vibrant and outgoing personality. Although tiny, she always gave a huge hug to everyone she met.

Throughout her life, Shelley was deeply committed to a work ethic. She won awards in her career in insurance sales, and she was respected by her colleagues and clients alike. After she married Don McGregor, she worked with him in the industrial coating business. She was a graduate of Alief Hastings High School in Alief, TX. She had two years of college before she began to shape her future.

She made a public profession of faith on May 5, 1971, at the First Baptist Church in Alief, TX, and was baptized by her pastor father. She and her husband, Don McGregor, later joined the First Baptist Church of Pflugerville, TX. Before going to Heaven, Shelley was a devout member of Second Baptist Church in Rosenberg, TX where she found great comfort and community.

 Her two much-loved Scriptures were: Philippians 4:6 and Colossians 2:6. Shelley quoted these two verses well into her illness with Dementia. She loved hymns, especially “In the Garden” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Because He Lives.” She gave a big smile when we sang, “You Are My Sunshine.” Although memory faded with time, these hymns and Scriptures were the last to leave her.

Shelley treasured the outdoors, and her favorite hobbies were hiking and fishing. She found the sunshine enjoyable and liked laying outside to get a tan. Her dancing skills were admirable, so were her singing skills. Karaoke was a choice activity. She spent hours listening and singing along with the Beatles. Cooking and entertaining the family was a priority, and she was famous for her chicken and dumplings. As a sports enthusiast, she cheered for her team, The Dallas Cowboys.

Shelley married Rick Day in 1983, and although the marriage didn’t last, the friendship with Rick and wife, Gay, did. Later, in 1999, she met Don McGregor via the Internet. They married, blended their families, and Shelley moved from Katy, TX to Manor, TX.

Shelley was the loving mother to Richard Paul Day and wife Christine, and Courtney Richelle Reuther, son-in-law, James Reuther. Stepchildren Ryan McGregor and Molly McGregor. She was a cherished grandmother to Esperansa Day, Mackenzie Reuther, Jordan McGregor, and Addison McGregor. She is also survived by her mother, Gay Lewis; father, Rev. Paul Lewis; sisters, Christy Lewis Wilner and husband, Dirk and Lanissa Lewis Coker and husband Craig. Shelley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don McGregor, and mother-in-law, Mary McGregor.

Shelley McGregor’s legacy of warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.

Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.

--Philippians 4:6

Just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him too for each day’s problems. Live in vital union with Him.

--Colossians 2:6

 

Pallbearers

Rick Day

Richard Paul Day

Dirk Wilner

Craig Coker

Nirav Shah

James Reuther

Alternate Jason Cappers

Daylon Durell

 Shelley

Obiturary

Decorate for Fall

As September ends, I think hallelujah! The hot, Houston summer is ending. Of course, it won’t cool down here until November, but the idea of fall brings excitement.

I usually put up a fall tree, and then decorate it for Christmas. I can’t do that this year. I threw away the artificial tree last year and haven’t bought a new one. That’s on my to do list, but they are expensive.

 Two Years Ago, I had a lovely tree.

We have traveled to New England several times in the past, and the first visit stands in my memory as the best. We rented a car and drove around Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. 

As we journeyed through neighborhoods, the yard décor impressed me. People had pumpkins, mums, scarecrows, and they were creative with hay and wagons.

The scenery was inspirational. 

I wish more of us did that thing here in my area. We do a bit, but not at 

all like those New Englanders.

We go all out for Christmas, but that’s another subject.

Here's my mantle this year.

I decorated the entire kitchen, but here's part of it.

 

Happy Fall, Y'all

Be sure to read my latest book!

Sarah Stalks the Wrong Stalker