My name is Priscilla Means and I’m a freshman studying chemical engineering. I’m originally from southern Maryland and had only been to Alabama once before I decided to come down here to the University of Alabama.
College had been one of my main focuses in high school and choosing which one to attend was a big decision I had to pray a lot about. I wanted to find a school that was not only good for academics, but also had a church family. I was always very close with my family at home and the thought of not being able to see them every day was very scary to me. My parents were the people I could talk to about any problem I could be having; my brother and sister were always there to make me laugh and just go through life with. I knew that it would be difficult, but after a lot of prayer, taking the jump and going to Alabama seemed to be the direction God was telling me to go, and as we know God’s way is the best way.
Needless to say, I was a bit nervous about moving 800 miles away from home, coming to a place where I knew challenges and temptations would surround me at all times, and knowing absolutely no one. Would I be able to meet people? Would people like me? What am I going to do without my family to talk to whenever I wanted? Would I be able to find a church home to be involved with? All of these questions floated around my head, even past move-in day until the first Sunday, when I attended Central. I walked into the student center for bible class and was greeted by so many people! Some were in the same position I was (freshmen who didn’t know a single person in the room) and some had been there for years. Immediately my worries went away as I was able to meet people that were genuinely glad to be there and glad to be encouraging others to join their group.
Since then, Tide 4 Christ has been my family away from home. I’ve been able to meet some of my best friends in the world, people I can come to with anything, and people who are always down to get together to hang out or do homework or just have a good time. I’ve meet my roommates for next year. I’ve gotten to play intermural sports (something I would have never done in high school). I’ve been able to be a part of so many events, like the fall and spring retreats, helping out around the Tuscaloosa community, and going to Disney World! Most importantly, I’ve grown as a Christian. I’ve learned to take responsibility for my faith, and it has become so much more personal to me. When anyone describes T4C as a “family”, they are hitting the nail on the head. They have made the whole transition from home to school so much easier. Being surrounded by a Christian group of people who care about your well-being, not only physically but spiritually, is truly an amazing gift that I can only wish to be able to give to others.
As Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” God will always take care of you and put you exactly where you need to be. You just have to trust his will no matter where it leads you.
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