Hey everyone! My name is Anna Nolen. (i noticed there are 2 Anna's so this is me, to clarify) I'm from Dothan, Alabama and proud of it. And yes that is where the show on TLC "Bama Belles" was filmed. Just in case you saw the show and were wondering.. Dothan is by no means that small, we do not get "cow sugar", and we don't all go to Cowboys on the weekends. We are however, 1 hour from Panama City Beach, FL, its awesome to live that close! I'm 20 years old & I will actually turn 21 while we're in Thailand, ahh! (June 19). I have lived in Dothan all my life & i go to Troy University ( here in Dothan) where I am an Elementary Ed. major.

  I work at Justice, a little girls clothing store. I've worked there for almost 3 years. It has been an interesting experience to say the least, haha. My friends and I are pretty creative when it comes to finding CHEAP things to do. We're BROKE college folk. Movie nights are a must. & we pile atleat 6 girls in my car ( it seats 5) and head to the beach for the day! I've recently fell in love with COUPONING.. i'm not very good at it but if i can save at least $5 it makes my whole day. I LOVE to sing, anything at anytime. Sometimes i sing when I talk just because that's more fun. I'm a tad bit spastic. I can get pretty loud, i'm told my laugh is explosive. I am OBSESSED with TOMS shoes, that is literally ALL i wear. I absolutely HATE math, we are not friends.

     I've been on several mission trips before, all we're in the US. The one that sticks out in my mind was last summer the college ministry from my church went to Tampa, FL to a section of town called "Little Haiti". It was filled with people who have come to the US from Haiti, most of them still spoke only Creole. We partnered with a Haitian church in the area and were able to minister to the youth and to the surrounding area. During those days God began to show me these broken and hurting people through his eyes. One day as we we're walking through the neighborhood just talking with some of the people. I saw a little boy and little girl standing outside one of the apartments. Me and one of my friends started talking  with them and found out they lived there with their mom, who was asleep inside. She woke up and came outside screaming at the children to get inside, then she walked past us and into the neighbors apartment.  We started saying goodbye and walking away when they started crying. They we're asking us to stay and come inside with them. Begging us not to leave.. That is when Jesus spoke directly to my heart and said this is where I am. At the bottom with the least of these and that is where i have called YOU.

    For about the past year Jesus has really impressed on my heart that my life is not about me.. and that is what has led my here. I am BEYOND EXCITED to live out the great commission and follow my Lord to Thailand. At the same time i am terrified. This will be my first time out of the country. My first time on a plane. But i KNOW that this is where my God wants me. He has burdened my heart for these girls that are trapped in this life. But what is greater than my fear is the love and power of my God. I can't wait to see his love change lives and see him bring FREEDOM!

Can't wait to actually meet you girls! I love yall already! :)