Dear Friends,
It has been quite awhile again since we have written...
Since then we have seen a few more kidney specialists/surgeons who are guiding us through understanding and making important decisions about the future of Austan's left kidney.  It is not functioning well, but at this point the doctors think that it should be saved if at all possible.  It could not help Austan's well-being on its own, but if the right kidney continues to remain strong the left kidney will just "assist" in keeping the workload from being entirely on the other one.  Did that make any sense??!! 
This spring Austan has had several procedures done to relieve that kidney until the radiation-damaged ureter can be reattached differently to the bladder later this summer.  The surgeons are looking at doing the surgery the first part of August.  If all goes well, the kidney will be saved.  The doctor who met with us today said that there is so much radiation damage that could lead to poor healing that there is a chance that the kidney will just be removed during surgery.  We will let you know the exact date for surgery as it draws nearer to the date.
Meanwhile, the kids are doing well...
Austan and Kendra are both going to New Orleans for a week this summer with our church youth group for a huge national gathering of teens and chaperones!  They are very excited for this opportunity and are helping with several fundraisers to pay for the trip!  
Austan just qualified this past weekend to go to nationals in St. Louis in field events and weightlifting!  He is thrilled for this honor, too!
Kendra is still playing fast-pitch softball for a select team and summer league basketball for Ferris!  She is also enrolling in driver's ed!  Oh my!
Both kids are also doing Hoopfest again this year!  
Mark and I are just running from sporting event to sporting event, but we wouldn't have it any other way!  We know that all too soon our babes will be gone...We don't like to think about that!!  Ugh!
We wish you all a peaceful summer of fun and laughter! 
Please pray for all those in this world who are struggling for whatever reason.  Life is difficult in so many ways, but it is definitely worth living.  Pray for each other!
Friends forever!   
The Pierce's...Mark, Jonnelle, Austan & Kendra