Good Gifts

This year our dear pastors gave us an unusual Christmas present: the opportunity to be part of a new care group. How it all came about is a bit of a long story. Let's see if I can condense.

For the past two-and-a-half years, we Wilcoxes have had the privilege to be part of the same care group of young married couples. There are 11 different couples who have been part of this group for at least part of this time. All of these friends are extremely dear to us, and we have learned so much from watching their lives. Together we experienced home purchases and moves, job transitions, the grief of losing elderly family members and the joy of welcoming new ones. In fact, in the last 2.5 years, members of this group celebrated the conception and/or birth of 17 children! (That includes 6 who are still in the womb, 2 of whom will be born into the Frederick church.) Through all of this we have prayed and cared for one another.

(For clarity's sake, I'll be referring to the group I have just described to you with a capital "G" from here on.)

Just three months ago, our Group found itself leaderless after sending out our former leaders and one other couple to help start the new Sovereign Grace church in Frederick, MD. So Dave and Heather Castro left a group they had led for two years to come and lead our Group. But this month, after a very short stint with our Group, the Castros joyfully agreed to make another transition and go serve a different leaderless group. Dave and Jenn Dabbondanza, a wonderfully mature couple who have been in our Group the whole time, will be taking charge of our Group. (Still tracking with me?) Meanwhile, the Wilcox family is going to the new group with the Castros. Given our love for the families in the old Group, this was not an easy decision! But as we prayed and asked for counsel from friends and family, it seemed that God was directing us to take a step of faith.

Dave and Heather Castro are extremely godly people whom we have known since we were all single. (They are pictured above with their two daughters, Mckenna, 3, and Selah Grace, 6 months.) The Castros and Wilcoxes will be joined by four other couples, all relatively newly married and none (as far as we know) with children. Though we are sad to leave our old Group, we look forward to learning more from the Castros and the other new couples and embarking on a grand adventure with them. Stay tuned for more care group news in the future... I suppose the new group will kick off officially in the new year!