On the 8th day of Christmas...Eight Maids a Milking

"On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

eight maids a milking,

seven swans a swimming,

six geese a laying,

five gold rings,

four calling birds,

three french hens,

two turtle doves,

and a partridge in a pear tree."

I nursed all 4 of my kids, I couldn't resist this one!

In the modern Christian version of the 12 days, they stand for the 8 "Beatitudes":

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3-10

The second one is especially close to my heart, especially this time of year.  3 years ago I lost my 3rd child to SIDS.  I never really "mourned" before.  Until a few months before I had never lost anyone close to me.  In the same weekend my best friend and my grandmother passed away.  I thought that was the worst weekend of my life.  Little did I know...  I cannot tell you how many times I prayed "You said you would comfort those who mourn - when?  You will bind up the broken hearted - surely I qualify?  How long until you come to me?"  I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but slowly the wound began to heal.  It is still wtih me, as a scar on your body lasts forever to remind you, there is a scar on my heart and soul.  Yet it no longer bleeds, it no longer is a scab daring the world to pick it off.

In fact, I have a new saying "Love Heals Surely" (I got tired of seeing the "love kills slowly" message out there!)

Zazzle

On a decidedly less etherial note, the Canadian 12 Days of Christmas would be sending us Eight Comic Books!

30 Gift Tags Hand Punched from Comic Books, $6.00 by Pumpkin Bear

SuperMan Nintendo DS Lite/ DSI Duct Tape Case (yes, you read correctly, made entirely of duct tape!), $14.00 by Autumn Silver Moon

Greeting Card comic book love kiss, $6.00 by Dadadreams

Set of three envelopes and blank cards vintage comic book, $4.00 by Kaye Turner

That's all for today, my guest blogger wasn't able to join us. 

I hope that you are enjoying The 12 Days of Christmas [ReDeemed]
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Don't forget about our gift certificate giveaway - with a drawing, from ALL the comments on all the days!

To enter:

• Post a comment (1 per day – so after you check out the next day’s blog, come back here and enter again – just like the song builds every day, so do your chances!
• If you haven't already, post the button (then a comment letting me know)
• Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway with the link (then a comment letting me know)
• Follow me (then a comment letting me know)

The fine print:

• You must leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry – this is the only way to keep it fair and straight (and keep me from having to kill a tree printing them out and cutting them apart!)
• All giveaways will be held on December 13th
• A random number generator will be used to determine the winner(s)
• If your e-mail address is not publicly listed on your profile, please include it with your comment(s)
• We reserve the right to re-draw if the first winner does not respond within 48 hours (please don’t let this happen – that would just be sad!)