Fall Favorites: Thanksgiving Stockings

It's one of my four favorite seasons ... autumn!  I love the colors and smells and foods and traditions of fall.  So, I thought I'd share some of my favorites over the next few days.   First up, my absolute favorite Thanksgiving tradition here at The Underwood Abode:  Thanksgiving Stockings!   Every year after the table is cleared and our bellies are stuffed with sweet potatoes and dressing and pumpkin pie, Scott and I give everyone who has gathered with us for the day a "Thanksgiving ... [Read More]

When God Draws Near: The Story of Redemption

Started thinking about Christmas yet?  I should go ahead and confess that I'm one of "those people" who buys Christmas gifts all year long and generally speaking has all the hard planning parts of the season taken care of long before December 1 ever arrives.   You may not be a year-round gift buyer like me but maybe you are like me in another way: Somehow the business and busy-ness of Christmas leave little time for stillness and contemplation of Christ. The beauty of the manger story gets so ... [Read More]

Have Yourself a {Mary} Little Christmas – Conclusion

We've journeyed through the life of Christ alongside three very important women ...  Mary, His mother; Mary, of Bethany;  and Mary, of Magdala.   And we've learned four keys to having a Mary Christmas:  Trust the Lord's Plan, Take Time to Dwell in His Presence, Turn to His Voice, and Treasure the Moments. My Christmas wish for you is that you will indeed... _________________ Merry, Merry Christmas!!   With love from my home to yours, Teri Lynne ... [Read More]

10 Tips for a Meaningful Christmas

Christmas is less than a week away.  Based on the Facebook status updates racing through my feed, the theme of these last few days is RUSH. Rush to buy. Rush to wrap. Rush to bake. Rush to give. Rush to clean. Rush to pack. Rush to go. Rush. It's hard to find meaningful when you are rushing.  {Honestly, it's hard to find the car keys in the midst of the rush!}  Somehow Advent - the season of anticipation - has become Accelerate - the season of too many irons in the fire. Perhaps, Dr. ... [Read More]

Have Yourself a {Mary} Little Christmas – Part 4

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  Luke 2:19 We've come full circle, back to the young mother of the Savior. Can you see her?  Sitting in a small home, barren of any luxury ... and yet she's smiling.   Eyes closed but face glowing with the peace that comes from within. Mary treasured the moments.    And I imagine as Jesus grew into a man and ultimately was crucified then ascended to heaven, Mary went back to a night in stable with dirty shepherds and ... [Read More]

Have Yourself a {Mary} Little Christmas – Part 3

"Mary!" Jesus said. She turned to him and exclaimed, "Teacher!" John 20:16 Mary of Magdala.  Exorcised of demons and embraced by the Savior. I suppose that is, in many ways, the story for each of us.  Whether our past includes the "biggies" or just a few "little" sins, we've all experienced the very real exchange old life for new. As Paul wrote the church at Corinth, What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They are not the same anymore, for the old life is ... [Read More]