Searching For the Daley (Dog): Caroline Coslow
Hello!
Hey!
What’s your name?
Caroline.
What’s your full name?
Caroline Linea Coslow.
Linea… you told me a story about that once but I can’t remember it.
It’s Swedish but my name is spelled the Finnish way because I was born in Finland. But I’m Swedish so it’s the best of both worlds.
Caroline, what’s your favorite food?
Hot dogs. For Sure. Not even a question.
Gotcha. And the best hot dog in Chicago is… ?
There’s this place called Downtown Dogs off Fullerton. You get the Mayor Daley and it’s a char-dog with cheddar cheese, dijon mustard, and carmelized onions on a steamed bun.
That sounds perfect.
Yes.
How did you find Agape+Ecclesia?
I found it like everybody did- went to the org fair and got signed up, got the e-mails, and I went by myself one week. Then I kept coming forever.
Do you remember the first person you met?
The first person I met was Mike Moore.
When did you become a Christian?
I have been a Christian… basically my whole life. I grew up in the church. I remember sitting with my mom and giving my life to Christ one day randomly.
What draws you to Jesus?
I’d say the people and the community.
What gives you hope?
I think it’s the same thing- the people and the community and the love that a community of believers has for each other.
I like that. What has God done for you that you couldn’t do for yourself?
I think he’s done everything for me that I couldn’t do for myself? I think back to so many different times where I was like “I don’t know anything- what I’m going to do next summer or next week” and it all works out. So, I think looking back, it’s just everything- I don’t think I could do anything on my own.
Why are you a Christian?
I read this question earlier and I wasn’t sure what to say, so I journaled about it. And I kind of put all my thoughts down. I think it’s a loaded question; I don’t think I have a perfect answer, and I don’t think I’ll ever have a perfect answer, but what immediately comes to mind is why I get out of bed every morning, and why I’m here right now. I don’t always get out of bed each morning until about noon some days but I get up and I have been set on this earth to be alive, and how can I not believe the only reason that I’m here is divine and from something much bigger than myself, molded by the perfect and immaculate love of God? I’m not saying that I’m perfect or that things aren’t always great, because they aren’t, but I guess what I’m saying is that being a Christian to me is that on days that are filled with anxiety or the unknown or painful hurt by those I love, or days I feel “blegh” for no reason at all, I wake up and I get out of bed. I’m submerged with a community and a love and a holy kingdom that fills me with immense joy and gratitude that will often bring me to tears. There are days where I doubt everything, but I get to take those doubts to a God who shuts them down through roommates that will talk to me, pastors that will pray for me, fellow leaders who support me, friends who I can have great conversations with, talented musicians who I think are a great gift to the church, books that are recommended to me by mentors, nature and a huge lake down the street that makes me feel at peace, and so much more.
Is there a book/movie/artist/musician/etc that you think everyone should be aware of?
I have a very interesting taste in music. I love the Chainsmokers, but I’m not as basic as people think. I’m also a big reader and I think my favorite book is Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. I got that recommended by Mike Moore and I recommend it to everyone now.
Any closing words of wisdom?
It’s important not to take things too seriously. If you’re not having fun and loving what you’re doing, you’re doing something wrong. You just have to have fun and not be so serious all the time.
//
Bring Back Bearded Mike 2020: Shawn Wallace
Yo.
Hey hey.
What’s your name?
My name is Shawn Wallace.
What’s your full name?
(reluctant sigh)…Rashawn Martel Wallace
What is your favorite, briefest joke?
I’d have to go with the old classic dad joke: What do you call a dog magician?
What?
A labra-cadabra-dor
Solid. Shawn, how did you find A+E?
I was looking for a church group when I showed up my freshman year, and I went to the org fair and I was pleasantly surprised to find one. I went to the first Wednesday and Sunday night service, and I’ve been coming back ever since.
Do you remember the first person you met?
I believe it was Nwakaego’s sister, Oguguam, at the org fair. At the first Agape, I don’t remember- I just remember seeing Mike Moore’s beard.
Mike had a great beard.
Always
We’ll try to get that back one day. When did you become a Christian?
I’d say I truly became a Christian my senior year in high school, but I’ve been in church since I was born- I was raised in the church with my mom and my brothers.
What draws you to Jesus?
Aw man. What doesn’t at this point? Life experiences have taught me that the only way through life is with Jesus- the love that he brings, the community that he brings, the forgiveness that he brings, the Christlike loving mentality he has. There has been a lot of talk about a recent passed former basketball player’s life referencing “Mamba mentality” and I like to think of “Christ mentality” and how we can further exemplify what that means to be a true follower of Christ. As a short answer, it’s his love.
What draws you into the community?
The community. It’s hard to find a space like this on campus- truly be yourself, loved by everybody, and one central idea that brings all of you together and holds you together. I feel like that is there every single week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, it’s there and I love having that feeling around.
Do you remember the last time you laughed really hard?
Uhhh…well if you don’t know me, I like to laugh quite a bit. It’s hard to gauge them- a big laugh to where I couldn’t breathe? I went to the Second City performers last weekend with a friend, and that was the best laugh I’ve had in a while.
So Rashawn Martel Wallace…
Geez
…formally endorses the Second City players. You heard it here first. Take that iO act down the road.
(laughs) that doesn’t count as a big laugh. That’s a chuckle.
A very charitable chuckle, too. Is there a comedian you think everyone should know about?
If we’re talking in terms of knowing because they bring actual meat to the community, with the jokes being intelligent and having meaning, I would say Dave Chappelle. He touches on a lot of topics that are hard to talk about in many different settings, but that’s what comedy allows us to do. He’s hilarious but also touches on things that people need to talk about. If we’re talking about sheer terms of funny, I have to go with my man, Kevin Hart. I love him. He’s made mistakes and learned from them every time.
I like Kevin Hart. Any closing words of wisdom?
Do what you love. At the end of the day, you won’t be really happy living for someone else unless it’s Jesus. He will never steer you to a wrong place. As long as you’re following him, doing what you love and surrounded by good people, you can’t go wrong. Go love life and everyone around you.