My dad was a person who moved from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC. The reason for the move was because he felt he had a calling from God to minister. He encountered many hardships including having to overcome quitting his job, loosing his income, finding a home for us, and trusting God to give him a church. My dad faced each and overcame them. My dad was a person who possessed self-reliance and demonstrated it when he trusted God enough to lead him in the struggle he was bound to have.

My dad evidenced self-discipline when he controlled his spending and our utility bills, perseverance was apparent when our church was slow to grow and he continued to minister, even to a small group of members. Above all, my father demonstrated self-preservation when other ministers were against God's plans for his life and my dad trusted God to bring him through. We can learn that even when the odds are against you, you can overcome any difficulty that comes your way if you do the right thing by following you plan. In my own life, I see a similarity when peer pressure comes my way. I follow my heart and do the right thing.

Brittany B., October 29, 1998