{Here from a search for "Converse Boots"? Click on the third photo down for a close up; you can buy these awesome Converse Chuck Taylor hi-tops s by clicking here!
{Second in a series from my attendance at Atlanta's Women of Faith Conference. Click for all posts.}
Sweet mercy, she's got the most beautiful arms in the business.
Does it really matter what I mean by "business"?
And style….does this girlfriend not have some serious, fun, funky s t y l e goin' on??
(Click the pic for a close up of THOSE AWESOME SHOES? BOOTS? HI-TOPS??)
I've been a fan of Nicole C. Mullen ever since I heard "When You Call on Jesus" years ago, followed by "Redeemer" (must-listen-to's if you've not yet heard them!). Though I preferred these power ballads, after experiencing Nicole in concert–you don't just listen, your body is compelled to participate!–I have a newfound appreciation for her eclectic fusion of rock, pop, R&B and funkabilly (her word, not mine 🙂 ).
Here's the thing: the more I discover about this amazing wife, mother, daughter, friend, singer, songwriter, the more I love.
Her commitment first is to her marriage and family. She ministers through her local church with Baby Girls Club and a tween/teen dance group. She doesn't just perform her music at Women of Faith Conferences, she invites conferees to worship with her; and she shares her life, her story…one that isn't perfect but points to the One who is.
Rather than re-write a bio about Nicole, please check out the fantastic links below. Instead, I thought I'd end with a fun(ny) story that demonstrates "who" Nicole C. Mullen "is", at least in part–
During the Women of Faith conference, a fair amount of the time, I was running around the floor taking pictures. I'd snap a few, then run back to sit with my friend, Erin, take a few more, then return.
During one of my "runs", when I returned to our seats, my BFF Patsy Clairmont was there with a "friend" of hers, talking to Erin and waiting on my return. Patsy was eager to introduce her, and because the worship team had already begun singing, I couldn't hear very well. Or, let's be honest: at all.
Without actually hearing her name, I said, "So nice to meet you," and extended my hand to this beautiful young woman; she sweetly ignored it, instead, hugging my neck like we were long-lost best friends.
I speak in the Language of Hug, so I was thrilled that a stranger would be at ease meeting me with such a personal gesture. My philosopy? Any friend of Patsy's is a friend of mine. A "good" hug is as impressive to me as a firm handshake (but I limit "meeting-hugs" to ladies only).
I continued, "Are you going to sit with us?". This was early in the conference and I figured Patsy had several guests "like me" and this was another one of 'em.
You know where this is going.
The lovely lady smiled a blinding dazzle in my direction and said, "Oh, no, I've got to sit over there," and sort of apologetically nodded to her left…The Porch…where the speakers are seated.
STILL not getting it, when she left, Erin turned to me and said, "Can you believe Patsy just introduced us to Nicole C. Mullen?!".
WHATTHEHECK???
I was so flustered from running around, I didn't even realize who I was meeting! She looked very different from my thank-you-very-much-TINY CD cover and I hadn't recognized her! If she realized my faux pas, she gave no indication, and I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered to her.
Soon after, she seized the stage and captured my heart with song and story. Over and over again.
Flanked by the dance troupe she mentors, her last performance Saturday afternoon earned not one, but TWO standing ovations for the "right" reasons. God-focused, magnifying, electrifying, soul-enliving, I wish "everyone" could worship the Creator in the presence of one of His souls—in this case, Nicole C. Mullen—who so beautifully and excellently and obviously lives out her calling.
She was flat spent…and though the applause lauded her performance, her countenance and demeanor humbly looked Godward, wanting to give glory to an Audience of One.
There won't be any confusion the next time I see her…we're blood sisters now :).
Related Links:
- "About" from her official site
- Interview by Joe Montague, Growthtrac
- Christianity Today
I’m definitely a fan of Nicole C. Mullen. Direct TV has a Christmas and Easter special every year and she’s always one of the guests. You can tell that she MUST work out. I would love to have triceps and biceps like hers with no jiggling. How many of us could pose with our arms out and up and still look good? I think I’ll add a few more free weight exercises to my regimen and post a picture of Nicole’s arms for motivation.
What an uplifting experience! Thank you for sharing — your writing makes me feel like I was there, too.
As I already tweeted, I LOVE Nicole C Mullen. I found her thru Larry Boy, then When I Call On Jesus. Then bought the albums you mentioned. We listened to them night and day while I was prego with my third. I still think that’s why she’s so musical. 😉
What a great experience to meet her and worship with her and watch her give all the glory to God. Now *I* wanna go to a Women of Faith conference!
What a great story! I wouldn’t have recognized her in real life, either, even though I listen to her music all the time!
Hula’s favorite Nicole Mullen song? The Victory Chant. It’s great to aerobicize to. I love her.
WOW I am a huge Fan of Nicole C Mullen…what a blessing to see and hear her in person
Debbie ~ I can’t decide whether I’d rather have her arms or her voice. The voice is God-given…the arms? She WORKS for those!
Barb, ooooh, you make me wish I had done a video blog on this! It’d be so cool (except if you could hear me singing along!) :).
Steph, I SOoooo hope you get to attend a WOF conference. I can’t wait to finish writing about it…the whole blasted conference was EXCELLENT!
Jeni, thanks…that actually makes me feel better :).
Hulagirl, must.go.google.NOW! (I thought that about many of her songs that are good “work-out” songs). Hey, maybe THAT’S the secret to her arms!
Becoming Me, it WAS, in the most wonderful of ways :).
Galfriend…I can’t keep up with you !
Whew!
First of all, name that adorable kitten down there below, AH-shoe…
Get it? The shoe and the fact that I’m allergic.
Beautiful girl…they grow up fast. Don’t they?
Now, I need to go research this Nicole C. Mullen…
When you have a second, fly by my place for my Breast Cancer Awareness post.
She rocks the world. 😉 We saw her live in Houston at Willowbrook mall when my kids were just tots (2000-2?). She was singing her heart out and the entire mall came to a screeching halt. The kids loved ‘Larry Boy’, but the crowd went wild over her “grown up” songs!
You just had way too much fun at WOF. Can I come with you next year? You meet all the ‘good’ people!
LOL- that would be quite the flight wouldn’t it?
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! My favorite song of hers is “When You Call on Jesus.” It was the song I used to keep myself positive during my first pregnancy and labor/delivery.
Oh wow!!! I would have been blubbering my way throught that meeting. LOL If i had realized who it was. Sounds like you had a great time!!