Meet Ines Tintu.

Dear Home,

This is Ines Tintu from Argentina. She is currently the most amazing person near me. She reminds me a lot of the Fern's the way she talks and acts. She was being taught the gospel for about a month or two before she was baptized this past Saturday the 29th. So about her background before the baptism. She was married along time ago till her husband died and now has been living on her own for some time now. Has one daughter who lives in Mexico and doesn't see her very much. Has a sister that lives near by though who are also members of the church. She very recently has just stopped chemo in her fight against breast cancer but that doesn't phase her sense of humor or spirit. Her knowledge of the gospel was so great before we started the lessons where she convinced herself that it is true and know all the commandments and about revelation, if you want to know something ask God. She was very easy to teach.

When we got to the day of her baptism she was nervous and a little scared about getting into the water. She showed up to the church a hour and 30 mins early so she wouldn't be late, almost before we got there. We talked to her more about how she wouldn't be held under the water and she doesn't need to know how to swim and addressed any other concerns that she had. Her family came. When it came to the time of her to perform the actual baptism I can remember it clearly in my mind. She wanted to wear her bandanna into the fount but decided not to and walked down in in front of everyone bald. Showing to everyone who see was and that she needed not any cover up or to hind from anything. This was her time to be with God and make this covenant with her. No one else mattered at this time. The words were said and she went under the water completely. Then arose straightway out of the water and with a heavenly glow about her. She began to cry with tears of joy for she has been made clean. As she went to go change a companion and I talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how we all can partake of it and be cleansed of out sin through Jesus Christ and feel happiness in our lowest times. We barred testimony about the gospel and in walked Ines. Immediately she said to those that were there, "Thank you everybody, I HAVE A NEW BODY!" in her Argentinian ascent. Some other talks were given and people welcomed her into the family. More tears were shed.

The picture of me with her was taken this morning as we helped her move out of her apartment because she couldn't afford it and had to move somewhere else, luckily someone from church found here one near by. I love her. She is a very strong lady.

That same day we also taught a lesson with Brittany Rowland who is an investigator to the church. We had a young couple her age there as well. We talked about the Atonement and how to look forward in life when we are having a hard time, there are good things to come. She opened up and explained everything to us and the members took her in about her situation. She is a mother of 4 kids, 24 yr old and with a significant other but not a husband because they can't afford marriage but that they both really want to. We also explained the Word of Wisdom meaning to refrain from Coffee, Harmful drugs, Alcohol, Tea, and Tobacco. CHATT. She understands it and said Yes to following that commandment.

This past week we had a lesson with a lady named Violeta Cabieto? I think. She is half Mexican half Native American. 23 years old and has a baby girl of 6 months, no male helping her out. She is a Special Education teacher for grades 4-7 and has tons of patience for that job. When we met with her we taught the Law of Chastity with an older couple there with us. When we asked her how living this commandment could help someone in there life she answered, "I don't know I broke it." We explained it and suddenly she broke down. Crying and telling us that this is something that she has been persecuted a lot for because of her situation and people look down upon her and are very rude in many ways. It got very emotional. We explained that its ok because Jesus Christ went through this exact pain for you so that he can help you in this time of your life. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all mankind can be cleaned and baptism is how we can use it and be cleansed. She understands that she is now setting the example for her daughter and began to exclaim how happy she is that she is being baptized soon because all the wrong she has done will be washed away and that she is being given a second fresh start. She is being baptized this coming Saturday.

I love being a missionary being able to bring people happiness and joy into their life. All of those who read the scriptures everyday, pray everyday, and go to church every week and live the gospel in between Sundays will have an over abundance of joy in their life. I can promise that. I love you all and may God be with you!

Love Elder Leonhardt