To be honest, I honestly think....

There are certain things in our vocabulary that each one of us chooses not to use. When someone else uses something that you do not consider part of your vocabulary, do you say something to that individual or simply turn the other cheek?

I served my mission among Russians in the Baltic mission, where I learned a new culture that was indeed foreign to me, in some ways.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Belarus were all part of my mission
http://sarahleigh-corner.blogspot.com/

Russians never hesitate to be the one to bring something up that is offensive to them or the situation.
I was one day visiting with a sister from Riga, Latvia who had recently joined the church. Her name is Юлия(Julia) and she is a dear friend that I really look up to.

Julia and I shortly after we had this conversation

As we were having this conversation she stopped me mid sentence and said: "don't use that word!" I was a bit confused and asked which word she was referring to.. She said the word "honestly." I was confused as to why. Then she explained to me in a kind way that if you say something like, "to be honest" or "honestly" you are implying that you were not being honest earlier.

I had to think about it for a minute, but as I came to realize what she was saying was true, I have never been able to use that word in such a context. I am so grateful to her for being brave enough to bring it up with me. I invite all of you to think about it too, because it really is a game changer.