Before Dottie was born, my friend Val shared something that she had learned about sequoia trees. Although a sequoia can grow upwards of 300 feet tall, their root systems only go down around 10 feet. In fact, the only way these trees are able to stand is because their roots are intertwined with the roots of the trees around them, growing out to the side more than 100 feet. They need the other sequoias to keep them from falling down. She said to think of all of the people praying for us and for Dottie as our “sequoias”. 

Well Dottie girl, little sapling, somewhere among all of the other sequoias on the California coast, one has been planted for you. Its tiny roots are slowly intertwining with those around it as it grows bigger and bigger, and all the other trees are making your tree stronger and stronger. 

“As it grows and reaches out its roots to support and be supported, may this tree stand as a living testament to the love, prayers and community that surround Dottie and her family.”  - Val

I am forever grateful for each and every one of our “sequoias” who have intertwined their roots with ours, praying for and supporting us in ways we never could have imagined. We are stronger because of them. 

One day I hope that I am able to see these magnificent sequoia trees on the California coast, so that I can marvel in person at the faithfulness and awesomeness of my God, who placed so many “sequoias” in our life when we needed them the most.