Three Siblings Needed A Rescue

Now at home with their new forever family

By Mandy Catoe 

December 25, 2016

Last Christmas, the Sendler family was busier than usual. That happens when you double your household.
It was Shawn and Heather Sendler and their two kids, Addison, 8, and Baylor, 6. Plus three foster children, tight-knit siblings ages 9, 8 and 2, who had been staying with them for a few months.
The home was overflowing with love and acceptance, but it wasn't a permanent arrangement.
Now it is.

Wednesday afternoon, the living room at their Indian Land home was buzzing. Five children and Auggie, a rescued stray mutt, bounded in from different directions.
"We joke that we rescue dogs and children," Heather Sendler said. "And Jesus rescued us."

Shawn, 38, a minister at Forest Hill Church's SouthPark location, and Heather, 36, a freelance graphic artist, both felt called by God in this mission of love.
Heather had a dream in 2013. In it she was walking all alone in a stark white landscape. She heard a child's voice from behind. "Mommy, mommy."
"I turned around and saw a little dark-skinned boy who ran to me and jumped into my arms and hugged me the way my son hugs me, with his legs wrapped around my waist and his arms around my neck.
"He looked at me and said, 'You're the mommy I never had.' Then I woke up."
The dream "scared the pants off me," Heather recalls.
"I firmly knew that it was from God and I knew we would do it and obey," she said, "but… adopting was not a lifelong dream of mine. I didn't even know if I would have kids when we married 15 years ago."
In early 2015, the Sendlers began opening their home and hearts to children in the DSS system. The first six months of that year, they had fostered three different children and by June decided to take a little break. But a DSS official called June 5, the first Friday of summer vacation, informing them of three siblings in immediate need of care – "probably just for the weekend."
They agreed to take them in and fell in love the moment they saw them.
The kids were Brie, 10, Micah, 9, and Mya, 3 1/2. Baylor and Addison were thrilled because they each were getting a sibling of the same sex.
"At first it was like Addison and Baylor had new best friends who were constantly spending the night," Heather said. "They just hit it off."
"Baylor always wanted a brother he could play rough-and-tumble sports with, and Addison and Brie are only five months apart and are like twins," Heather said.
"We call Mya our cherry on top," Heather said, pulling Mya close for a hug.
As Mya's smile grew, her dimples deepened.
"Today I sang and I was a shepherd at church, and lots of people saw me," Mya said.
Then she picked up a photo of herself dressed as an angel next to baby Jesus and held it up.

Sweet milestones Many foster homes

Before being adopted into the Sendler home, Brie, Micah and Mya had spent years in foster care. DSS had just removed them from a neglectful foster home with little supervision. The older two had been cooking their own food and taking care of Mya, who was still in diapers.
"They had burned themselves on the stove," Heather said.
Shawn and Heather assured the children they would love them and take care of them until they were able to return home to their biological parents.
"We did a lot of talking to reassure them we weren't trying to replace their biological parents, who still love them but had made some bad decisions, making living there unsafe now," Shawn said.

"We told them we want to take care of you to keep you from bouncing around foster homes."
Parental visitations dwindled to nothing by August and eventually parental rights were terminated in October. The kids, especially Brie, understood that would mean they would be adopted out – and most likely separated from each other.
By last December, Shawn and Heather told the children they wanted to adopt them, but it would be up to DSS and the judge. They assured the children that if it was God's will, then they would all be one family.
The final hearing for the adoption was Aug. 11. In a show of support, 35 friends, family and church members filled the York County family courtroom.
"We wanted to convey to the court that these children are not just gaining a family but also a community of people who loved them," Shawn said.
Adoption was granted. Heather says even the judge was teary-eyed.

The children have been with the Sendlers for more than 18 months now. The journey has included counseling, tears, laughter and so much love.
Shawn said one of the sweetest milestones was when the kids felt safe enough to roll their eyes and give a little sass to their new parents.
The three had been perfect for the first few months, as if auditioning for the part. Finally, they felt at home enough to be typical kids.
"When I hear one of them call us mom or dad, it is such a privilege, because you know they don't have to call us that," Heather said.

 The Sendlers credit their ability to do this to that community that backed them in court.
Heather is quick to say they aren't saints and don't pretend to be.
"We are just sinful people trying to be patient and show love and grace and mercy every day."
Heather recently spoke at a church event about putting your faith into action.
"We have to trust that God's plan is perfect and not ours," she said. "That makes it less scary, knowing we didn't dream this up on our own. There is peace knowing this is part of God's plan. It is his story, my life."

Shawn said he takes comfort in knowing that with five kids he can't expect to get it perfect and they are just doing the best they can.
Both say the busyness of the task has forced them to not obsess over the trivial things and to live more fully in each moment.
"I am busier now packing five lunches and trying to give everyone one-on-one mommy time," Heather said.
"It's a little more crazy and a little more loud. I'm a little more tired, but with more joy and more blessings."
The family celebrates the birth of Christ by serving others during the Christmas season.
The children spent the past week preparing gift bags and will deliver them to a nursing home in Florida where Heather's grandmother receives care.



The children took their places around the table. Baylor sat next to Micah, and Addison and Brie sat beside each other. Mya took a seat in her mom's lap. They began sharing their gratitude aloud.
Baylor said the best part is Micah, and Micah said the best part is Baylor. Addison said she loves having a sister. Mya said she enjoyed "playing, reading, eating and tickling."

Then Brie spoke. Wiser than her years, she looked around the table at the six faces, pausing a few seconds on each one, then said, "Everyone."





Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152.