This month we turn our focus to David and Lauren Watts, a couple who should be familiar to most of us, newcomers and founding members alike.

David and Lauren have lived in the Santa Ynez Valley since they were kids. Lauren moved to the area while in the 8^l grade and ironically went to school with Pete Bohlinger, a founding member of Community Church. Her father worked for Western Electric and the family had moved frequently, attending various churches at each new home. She was raised to believe in Jesus and in the word, but did not understand the gospel. David grew up faithfully attending Sunday school in the local Presbyterian Church but he says that the teaching he received did not crystallize until his Junior year of High School. About a year later, David asked Lauren, whom he met in a class they had to­gether, to the Junior-Senior prom and she accepted.

Lauren recalls thinking that David was different from most men his age in that in one of their first conversations at the prom, David shared his testimony. He had been at his low­est point, feeling that he did not fit in in high school and coping with a basketball injury, when he sat down on the school bleachers on a starry night and challenged God to show him a sign that He cared about him. Suddenly, right where he was looking, he saw a falling star that he believes God sent him. It made all the difference that someone cared for and loved him and David began to pursue knowledge of God with fervor. His open heart and willingness to share his disappointments with Lauren deeply impacted her. They attended Cal Poly together and were married in 1977.

David's service in the Coast Guard took them around the country. The Lord blessed them in Virginia with their first son Nathan, now a 26 year old high school math teacher, and in Washington with Brian, now age 24 and in Virginia Beach, serving in the Coast Guard on a 270-foot cutter. Both boys have strong testimonies and attend good churches and the Watts give all the glory to God for their salvation.

Fifteen years ago, while David was serving at the Marine Safety Detachment in Santa Barbara, David's parents decided to sell the family business, the Jule Hus in Solvang. After much prayer, David retired from service and the couple took over the store, a move which has directly impacted the church in that over the years they have employed Julie Gibbs, Stacie Gibbs, Katie Young, Joye Keister, Amanda Loper, and presently, Katie Beth Gibbs! The Watts seek to use their beautiful Christmas store to share the gospel with visitors who become more receptive as they consider the message of Christmas. Their answer to the question "Don't you ever get tired of Christmas?" is "No, we celebrate Christ every day of the year" which is often met with a question of how.

The Watts had attended a young Community Church of the Santa Ynez Valley when they returned to the area not quite two decades ago. They soon discovered that a remnant had remained of their home church, Community Bible Church, and returned to fellowship with them, visiting us from time to time on special occasions or when the Gibbs would invite them. When the remainder of Community Bible Church dissolved, last year around Christmas, David and Lauren were led back to us and we are so thankful that they did.   The Watts find at Community Church a people and a pastor seeking for the true word of God, not seeking entertainment.

Lauren leans on Prov. 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." and David cites Rom. 5:3 "But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint..."

*Interview by Anjie Park