Sgt. Alisa Ballard, 31, is an information systems analyst from Fort Hood, Texas, serving in Afghanistan. On Mother's Day, she plans to Skype with her 11-month-old son, Christian, who lives with her parents in Woodbridge, Va. (Kristina Wong/The Washington Times)
FILE - The body of Pope Shenouda III lies in a casket at the Coptic Orthodox cathedral during his funeral in Cairo, Egypt, in this Tuesday, March 20, 2012 file photo. A council of Egypt's Coptic Christians is voting Monday Oct 29 2012 on a new spiritual leader to the ancient church as the community grapples with the rising powers of Islamists. The charismatic Pope Shenouda III died in March, at the age of 88 and after 40 years as the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The congregation represents the majority of Egypt's Christians, who make up about 10 per cent of the country's 83 million people. About 2,400 clergymen, community leaders, and Coptic church notables are voting Monday to short-list three candidates from among three monks and two bishops. The final selection is due Sunday. (AP Photo/Mohammed Asad, file)
Gretchen Midgley, left, and Jonathan McGee, both students at Catholic University, pray with the U.S. Capitol in the background during "Encircle the Court in Prayer," an event led by Christian faith organizations. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A woman adds a flower to the sidewalk around the Supreme Court as part of "Encircle the Court in Prayer," event led by Christian faith organizations. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Joan Schnabel of Annapolis, Md., left, and Marge Groetsch of Front Royal, Va., pray in front of the Supreme Court as part of "Encircle the Court in Prayer," an event led by Christian faith organizations. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and their children, Prince Christian, partially obscured, and Princess Isabella with Copenhagen Bishop Erik Normann Svendsen, at the Copenhagen Navy Church, Holmens, Thursday, April 14 2011, during the baptism of their 3 month old twins. Denmark's royal family has celebrated the baptism of baby twins Prince Vincent Frederik Minik and Princess Jospehine Sofie Ivalo Mathilda. In line with royal tradition, the names remained secret until Thursday's ceremony at the Holmen church in downtown Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Tariq Mikkel Khan/Polfoto, Pool) DENMARK OUT
Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and their children, Prince Christian, and Princess Isabella, at the Copenhagen Navy Church, Holmens, Thursday, April 14 2011, during the baptism of their 3 month old twins. Denmark's royal family has celebrated the baptism of baby twins Prince Vincent Frederik Minik and Princess Jospehine Sofie Ivalo Mathilda. In line with royal tradition, the names remained secret until Thursday's ceremony at the Holmen church in downtown Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Tariq Mikkel Khan/Polfoto, Pool) DENMARK OUT
Rifqa Bary, a runaway and converted Christian, was released from state custody on Tuesday, her 18th birthday. (Associated Press)
