“If I stop to think about everything that’s happened — being in a difficult marriage, getting a divorce, raising three young girls on my own — it’s a lot. But I think I’ve come a long way, as far as learning more about myself, and growing as a person and a mother. I think I’ve become a more confident person. That’s a huge thing for me.

“I was always pretty introverted and shy. But I feel like I’ve come way out of my shell, especially since the divorce four years ago. I’m much more independent and confident now. I’ve kind of had to be.

“Don’t get me wrong. I still have moments where I struggle with that a little bit, just because of the challenges of daily life. The house may not be perfectly clean all the time and I may lose patience with my girls every now and then. But overall, I guess I’m pretty proud of myself for what I’ve been able to accomplish.

“Although I have no family living close by, I haven’t done this all on my own. There have been so many people through church and other friends who have provided support. I wouldn’t be in the place I am now without them.

“I feel like there’s so much that I’ve learned and still have to learn. And I’m still facing some big challenges. But I have what I call this radical faith that’s helping lead me through it all. In the end, I’m going to have this huge story to tell. I think it will help somebody else who might be going through a rough time in their life. If I can be that person who can help others, then that will really be something I can be proud of.”

— Erynn Anderson

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“We grew up in a rough neighborhood. When we were young, it was pretty hard to be raised over there. But I made it through. Me and my brothers and sisters, we all made it through.

“I give a lot of credit to my dad. As I got older, he really showed me the way. He showed me how to be independent, responsible and respectful. He showed me in a marriage, how to treat and take care of your wife. I look up to my dad a lot. I really do. Me and him, we’re real close together. He taught me how to deal with a lot of things I never thought I would experience out here in the real world.”

— Jerry Rodriguez

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“My big focus is on my kids growing up to do the right thing. Some days scare me more than others to see what decisions they make.

“We let them make their own decisions on a lot of things, and some of those decisions may be the wrong ones. But if they don’t learn now, when are they going to learn the difference between right and wrong? I’d rather it be now where I can somewhat control things, rather than later in life when I have no control over what they do.”

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