ATLANTA - While promoting her book Racing to the Pews: A Sermon in Stilettos at the Laureus World Sports Awards, former track star, third deacon's daughter, and new author Halley Nelson weighed in on her spiritual connection to the event - and her feathered gown, that bore a striking resemblance to one worn by Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
"In the introduction to my book, I talk about Hebrews 12:2, running with endurance to a triumphant finish," Nelson said.
Nelson, who first gained attention for a dress made of pages from ancient scripture, said it was a sporting event that put her on a path to salvation, and ironically, it involved a dress. In the book, she tells how a tragedy at her high school's only annual Princess Run solidified her faith. After stumbling in her slingbacks in the final meter, Nelson's heels snapped and launched into the crowd with projectile-like velocity.
"Four girls needed medical attention, which really helped bring the community together," Nelson said.
She had organized the Princess Run thinking it would be a meaningful exercise for the girls to race in their prom dresses to win a date with the school football team's star cornerback. "His dad was a local minister," she explained, "so I wore my grandmother's choir robe over a ball gown because I thought he might be into that."
"Simone always looks amazing," Nelson acknowledged. "She is an accomplished woman and I respect her journey. That's why I wanted to honor her by wearing a gown made from the angel Gabriel's actual feathers. Specifically the ones from the tips of his wings, as acquired by my father through a bishop he met who has romantic ties to El Escorial."
"In my book, I talk about how we can all be winners," Nelson said. "First Corinthians 9:24 says we run the race to win, and I love Simone for that."
The first and last annual Princess Run at local high school
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