The Star-Spangled Banner: verse two

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must,
When our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, "In God is our trust."
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Francis Scott Key, 1779-1843)

Human Embryo at the 8 Cell Stage...At this point in her development, as was true at the moment of her conception, every physical aspect of this tiny baby has been determined. Her curly brown hair and her father's bright green eyes; everything necessary for her to mature is present in these eight little cells.

Click here to read a disheartening story entitled "Couples Cull Embryos to Halt Heritage of Cancer". From the New York Times comes a difficult proposition. Babies concieved who are unique physically, emotionally, etc., are destroyed because they do not fit their parent's picture of the perfect child. Some may say; "Through this method, we can prevent the suffering of persons and their family members." However, those beautiful babies are the unique and individual creations of God who ought to be treated with the dignity owed to all human beings. Also, this genetic picking and choosing is a slippery slope into other grave evils, the choosing of children for physical featrues (i.e. blue eyes), for example. Pray that our culture may come to a renewed respect for life at all stages!

At 5 Weeks, your baby is about 1/2 inch long, and his heart has been beating for about a week. Such a tiny human with a heartbeat unique and separate from that of his mother! How precious is this gift of life!