Sharon Costello

Dear Marshal,

After reading your blog and watching all the video my heart goes out to your beautiful parents and family , I thought of this song I would love to share with your parents its beautiful.http://youtu.be/JmyUgsmCzB4

Its by Steven Curtis Chapman ( with hope )

Rest In Peace Beautiful Angel.

Sharon Costello
Australia
Queensland

Kelsi Sines

Dear Marshall,

What a sweet and precious name that is. What a sweet and precious family you have. You are so very sweet and precious. You were so tough! It sounds to me like you were one awesome little guy, I wish I had seen this sooner. I would have prayed every day and every night for you. It seems like you had all the love one little guy could possibly have. You are such a miracle Marshall. You have taught me something, and that is to never give up.

I’m only 19 Marshall and I’m sitting at work bored just reading the news and you and your parents’ story popped up. I almost didn’t even want to read it because I knew it would be heartbreaking…and sure enough it was BUT in a good way. You have totally changed my outlook on life. If you can be that strong I don’t think anyone has room for excuses, ya know?

I bet your parents are so proud of you! I mean how’d you know all those big words? Must have been pretty smart :) your blog is pretty awesome. I will never forget this… or you, little guy! I bet heaven is pretty cool. From what I hear you never sleep? Bet that’s pretty cool. The coolest part is that you’re not struggling anymore. The three short months that probably seemed like a blink of an eye to you and your parents have taught SOOO many people to never stop trying and always love what you have.
You are truly a miracle but I bet you already know that!

Love,
Kelsi

Carv Wilson

Valiant

Precious little angel trailing clouds of love, 

Fallen down from up in Heaven above, 

Fighting every moment to live in this life, 

Breathing, praying, dreaming livings’ strife. 

Brought to a family united in True Love, 

Heavens Peace coos like a gentle dove, 

Sent down so briefly to prove myself to God, 

My willingness proven, I hold to the rod. 

Sealed forever as a family in His sight, 

Basking in the glory of His Heavenly light, 

Teaching the Gospel to those in the dark, 

Missionary service my distinguishing mark. 

Building my family’s mansion on Gospel sod, 

Through willing service to the Most High God.

--Carv Wilson

Jennifer

Dear Marshall,

When I read your email, it's was 7:40 in the morning (European time.) I feel relieved that you are with our Heavenly Father, The best child taker anyone could ask for. The best doctor and Father. Your mom and dad will miss you dearly but yet knowing you are watching over them.

Your time with everyone was so short but you have given them (and me) a life-long memory about your incredible journey here on the earth. You have taught everyone so much about God's Grace in such a short time.

When you were saying good-bye to everyone in the hospital in Utah, my students and I were thinking of you.

Love you forever, and forever you will be loved.

Jennifer

Beth

Oh, precious little Marshall! I will certainly miss you and your awesome e-mails. You are such an amazing little guy, born to equally amazing parents. That's why I think you got to come to that family, because you fit them SO perfectly! I've been wondering all day how best to comfort them and then your e-mail comes and you (and they) comfort me! I love the three of you so much and, don't you worry, you will all stay in our prayers and we will help watch over your wonderful mommy and daddy while you guys are apart for awhile. I know you will be doing the same, just from a different, and beautiful, place. Thank you for your example of love and fortitude and faith. You touched countless lives for good in your short stay here with us. That's more than a lot of people can say, even after very long lives. Thank you, our little Miracle Marshall, the Stout-hearted! God be with you and your sweet parents until you can all be together again forever! All my love always, for you and your parents -

Your friend,

Beth

Mumm Family

Marshall you touched so many lives in your time here. You had us all down on our knees getting closer to our Father and Savior because of you. The Mumm kids and parents prayed for you and we will pray and do what we can for your parents. I KNOW you are close to them and that they will be re-united with them. Say hi to my mom for me. Take care and know God is watching, Loving you and your Parents.

Love
John, Karen, and family

Shirley Ence

Welcome home Marshall. For such a tiny boy you sure brought a lot of joy and happiness to so many people. You brought a small piece of heaven to your parents and family and to their friends and loved ones. You reminded us of why we are here and what is really important in life. While we all wanted to watch you grow and learn in this life we found out that you are already farther along than the rest us and that our Heavenly Father has important things for you to do right now. We are lucky to have known someone as special as you even for so short a time.

Your parents are special like you but our Heavenly Father has important things for them to do in this life and they have so many gifts and talents which they will use to help many people return to live with Him. You will be apart from them for a little while but how great your joy will be when you are reunited in the presence of your family and with our Father and our Savior.

Kimberli Kresge and family

Little Marshall, how we love you so! We never got to meet during your time here on Earth, but we have known you before, and we will look forward to seeing you again someday! After all, we are part of a big eternal family! You have the best, most loving mommy and daddy. We thank you for sharing your miraculous life with us, we will forever be touched by you and your sweetness and pure light of Heaven. What a joy to be in Father in Heaven's presence again, but those here will miss you greatly. Tyler and Mandy, we love you and our hearts go out to you. We are thankful for the time you got to spend with your sweet Marshall. Thank you for sharing his precious life with us. We love you all dearly.

Much love,

Uncle Dave, Aunt Kim, and Family

Colleen Stout - Woody Lost His Friend

Dear Marshall,
We were so happy to receive your last encouraging letter. We too danced with joy.
We understand- that this mortal life is very hard. You gave it your best-- far more than your best, but it was too hard. It takes a lot of breaths, and way too many heart beats to survive this life, and the time came for you to sleep, and dream of a better place. Your struggles are over, and we are so proud of you and how valiantly you tried to make it here.

We could tell all along that it was the love of your wonderful and devoted parents that kept you alive. You wanted so to please them, to grow up and be their little boy. Well, they have their little boy-- forever and ever! They will still raise you. Isn't that wonderful?

Meanwhile, you are saving a special place for them, and us, and all who would be worthy to be with you.

Thank you for bringing so much joy, faith, happiness, and even some humor to our lives. We are all the better for knowing you. We have been touched by an angel, one of God's choicest sons.

We are sure Heavenly Father is so pleased with you, and he has already given you work to do to prepare all of us for the Second Coming of His Son to the earth.

Father understands. He knows you. He knows us, and he knows that we all needed to increase our faith, our love,and our commitment to Christ, and he also knows that the challenges here are very hard. He sent you to show us how to persevere in the face of those struggles.

You were, and are, a light to us, and though we saw you as a tiny babe, you are a tall, good looking, intelligent and mighty man. You are part of the Army of Helaman-- those on both sides of the veil who are fighting this last great battle for the souls of men.

You chose the very best parents, and that is no surprise to you! They will always have you close in their hearts, so now and then touch their faces with your tiny finger so that they will never forget, and they will devote their lives to being once again with you.

Happy Birthday Marshall, to your new life. You did great!!!

Love from your Stout Grandparents- with tears of sorrow and joy.

Beth

Congrats, Marshall! So happy for your victory. Stay strong and keep learning, growing and getting better - and try not to scare your parents and the rest of us any more:)

Love,
Beth

Annette and Steve

Marshall I am glad that you are doing somewhat better today. Keep up the hard work little buddy!
Sometimes it really is easy for some of us to start taking little things for granted. For instance, I easily forget how important it is to breath. Then I read about your breathing trials and the ventilator that helps you. (thank heaven for the ventilator) And I once again become grateful that my lungs work and that I don't even have to think about breathing.

 
And then there is the bathroom issue. . .let me just say thank you for reminding me of that blessing as well!
You see Marshall, you are a blessing to all of us! We love you and your awesome family!!!! 

 xoxox Annette and Steve

Kelly Israelsen

Sweet Marshall your quite the little man, keep pushing forward. You have such wonderful parents who love you very much., not to mention all the cousins etc. that can't wait to meet you. Your strong and there are so many prayers being said for you sweet Marshall.

Love ya Neal & Kelly

Colleen Stout

Marshall, that was way too scary!! Whew! We are praying you don't have any repeat performances. How thankful I am for every breath of air. When I read your story, it makes me aware of how our Heavenly Father provides the air we breathe, breath by breath, day by day. Like our hearts, we take them for granted, but they loyally just keep beating away. Ours skipped a few beats for you, but now they are back to normal, and we hope that you are too. BTW, you are getting mighty good looking! Oh how nice a little fat and muscle can be.

Love, Grandma

Annette and Steve

oh marshall,

we love you and we haven't even officially met you yet. more fasting and prayers are being offered in you and your families behalf. Make sure to keep your seatbelts fastened on this wild roller coaster ride. Hang in there little buddy.

 xoxox Annette and Steve

Sharon Kresge

Dearest sweet Marshall boy,

So good to hear from you. Grandpa and I prayed a lot about you in the Temple today. You are the first thing on our minds in the morning, and the last as we go to sleep. We love you and your Mommy and Daddy so very much. It will be so wonderful to hold you. We are thrilled that you are growing ! We love your last picture.

thank you, Grammy and Grandpa

Colleen Stout

Dear Marshall,

Nothing we ever get on the emails touches us so much as your sweet letters. We know that you personally write them too. They sound just like you.

You are really getting to be a Big Boy, relatively speaking, and we are amazed at how well you are doing. We know that it is not much fun to have tubes and pricks, but we are thinking that you are being saved for something special in the future, and you need to learn to be strong and patient. Consider: You could be here when the Savior comes again, and he loves you and wants you to be ready.

Keep up the good fight, and don't get discouraged. We have faith that you will make it, and someday be like your strong and tall dad. Having such a lovely and caring mommy makes all the difference.

Much love from Great Grandma and Grandpa Stout

ps Have your dad sing the Stouthearted Men song to you!! It will get your red blood running with happiness!!

Beth

Thanks for the update and the fun photos, Marshall! I'm so sorry that things are so rough for you, but I'm proud of the tough little guy you are and the way you are growing. You keep working hard and know that there are angels around helping you and that you are in our hearts and our prayers (along with your mommy and daddy)! As soon as I can get rid of this cold, I'll be back to see you.

Love,
Beth

Annette and Steve

Good grief little guy, that roller coaster ride can be wild. As you said not only is it scary for you but for everyone who loves you - especially your parents!

WE will be praying that the highs and lows start to even out soon. Hang in there little buddy and be certain to give your parents a huge hug for us. Remember that many of us are praying for you and that angels are GREAT babysitters - you don't get any better than them!

Love you all and prayers continue your way

Annette and Steve ;)

Annette and Steve

Hang in there Marshall! You are such a courageous little warrior and we know you can conquer this set back. We are sending additional prayers in behalf of you all!

Love you xox,

Annette and Steve

Teryll Stout

Dear Marshall,

This is Grammy. I love you so much! I know that you know I do. I am praying very hard, in great detail, for you and your parents! When Grampa read this latest email to me I got right down to pray again. You are a strong boy! You are determined! You trust in the Lord and He will bless you for it! Thank you for the blessing of bringing so many close together in one united effort to plead with our Father in Heaven in your behalf! I am honored to be your grandmother! I feel of your greatness and your integrity. I feel of your strength of soul and your devotion to our Heavenly Father. You are accomplishing a mighty work for the Lord. Well done my wonderful, beautiful Marshall. Know that Every soul on both sides of the veil prays for your success! We are being victorious! Hurrah, hurrah, Hurrah for Israel. 

All my love, Grammy

P.S. I am probably going to be able to come see you this week. I am finally getting better. Love you!

Jennifer

There are many things we cannot reach out, but we can reach out to them every day. Since the day Marshall little was born, he has taught us so much more. Most importantly, to be humble and grateful. Thank God for all his work and thank God for watching him grow. God answers prayers in a miracle way. That's what I see in Marshall.

Jennifer 

Sharon Kresge

Dearest great grandson Marshall, it is so good to hear from you. Congratulations on growing to one foot ! It will be so wonderful when we can hold you. Please give our love to your parents...we love them so very much, and are praying for you all, and so are all your cousins and aunts and uncles and so many more people.

With great love, G&G

Colleen Stout

I always cry tears of gratitude when I get your letter Marshall. I am proud of you and your doubling your birthweight and growing to be One Foot Tall. Keep this up and you will be as tall as your dad in no time. What fantastic parents you have-- and very good looking too. I can tell you look like them.

Kisses from Grandma Stout.

Colleen Stout

Dear Marshall--It was so good to hear from you again. We know it takes a lot of energy, but we appreciate your Scribe and his attention to detail, so we can grow along with you.

Of course we pray for you at every prayer, day and night, and sometimes inbetween! We know that prayers are answered too. We are glad you told us about Grandma Teryll, and we will include her too. We have long prayer lists!

We hope that all in the family who have to be out and about in this snowy weather, will be careful and not have any accidents. This is a winter to remember.

Love, 

Great Grandma and Grandpa Stout in Orem

Beth

Thanks for the update, Marshall! We're praying for you to be able to breathe on your own. I especially love the picture of Mommy holding you.

Kelly Israelsen

Go Marshall we are so proud of you. You are a very hard working baby with lots and lots of people praying for you and cheering you on. We are proud of your parents also for their strength and faith. Love to all.

Aunt Kelly

Lev

Marshall!!!! This is Lev! How are you buddy? Long time, no see, my friend! It's been what, like 10+9 months since I've seen you? Everyone's talking about you and showing pictures of you. You're looking good, but different than I remember you. I'm trying to tell everyone that the Marshall I know is big, strong, and always beat me in arm wrestles, but they don't get the telepathy thing yet.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am super excited to see you again. I will show you all the coolest stuff. Hair pulling, drumming, making funny faces... though you'll probably have it all figured out by the time I see you.

Also, I must say that I'm impressed by your writing skills. My parents love the allusions to scriptures and the sweet details you include in your emails. The email you just sent was so good that both my parents were crying. When you talked about your mommy singing to you, my mom was crying so hard she had to hand the computer to my dad to finish reading. Nicely done! You'll have to teach me all your mad skillz. (That spelling is a New York thing. I'll explain later.)

Take care, cuz! We love you and we're praying for you all the time!

Love,
Lev

P.S. Isn't technology great?! Writing this email took LITERALLY no effort on my part.

Rebi Weidmann

Dear Marshall,

i'm so glad you're doing better, growing and gaining weight!! That is just great. it might not be comfortable for you or any fun but you prove to be a great fighter!! i mean your body exists like 30 weeks now and you're just so so strong already. that's just amazing! i always wonder if we had the opportunity to choose for ourselves what obstacles we want to overcome in this life. if it was that way you really are an ambitious child of our heavenly father :) he really has something special planned for you. actually, i know someone who went through something similar (not as severe though), but my husband was born in 32 weeks (that's much older of course) but he still had to be in an incubator. anyway, i am very grateful that he was born this early, because he was born in november 1988, if he was born on time, he would have been born in 1989. when i was 15 or 16 they asked me to help lead a youth conference for the young men and young women and they also asked my husband. if he was born in 1989 he would have probably not been asked that year and maybe a year later. and so we got to know each other and became friends from 15 years old until now and from now on forever. and you know, it gave me a lot of comfort to marry someone i knew long before, because he totally knew what he got himself into haha. anyway, i just wanted to say that things happen for a reason, maybe you can go on a mission earlier, or maybe a nurse in the hospital needs to see this miracle of life or something. but i am very, very proud of you!

okay, about that chocolate: please send me your address and i will send you some chocolate, and farmer croc (nerve food for your dad) and maybe your mom also wants something? let me know :)

all the best and a big, but tender hug for you marshall!
rebi

Hi from Nora

Hey Marshall! I guess I should introduce myself even though I feel like we already know each other (I've been reading your emails!) My name is NoraDiane Bailey, and we are cousins. I'm not sure if that's our exact relationship, but when I asked my mom about it she said I could just say we are cousins and its close enough. What's even cooler though is that we are only one day apart in age, so we are destined to be great friends! My mom thinks we probably waited together to come down to earth. 

I am so impressed that you have almost doubled your body weight and have gained four ounces! I have a long way to go before I double my birth weight. I have gained 7 oz but its a lot harder to do in your situation and I just think you're amazing! Oh and your leg lifts, you are so strong, I can't do that quite yet.

So my mom says you live at the NICU right now. My brother Luke had to stay there when he was born but only for a little while. My mom says miracles happen in that place, she says they will take great care of you.

My parents are both so impressed with how positive you are. Luke told me it can be hard in there with all the lights and the beeping how are you ever supposed to sleep?? But I know the hardest part for them was being separated from each other sometimes. I am so glad your mom is feeling better though and that she gets to stay with you a lot.

I heard you all got a new house too, so that will be really fun for you to explore once you get home!

We pray for you every night in our family prayers and we all love you! Make sure to keep us posted, we all love reading your emails, but especially me!

Love,
Nora