It has been a busy last week in Europa. Monday and Tuesday were museos and famous landmarks. I also am working on improving my disciplines since I will soon be back to a real life. There will be no more DTS and outreach. Today I was reminded that I am the same. My defaults set in as I looked at the expensive entry fee to a so-so museo that happens to be near where I am staying. It has a rating of about 250 out of 2500 possible sites to enjoy in Rome. Instead, because I have seen so much history and ancient relics, I drank cappuccino, shopped, and ate gelato. I know this finish is to enjoy, after so much good activity, but I am much the same as I was before I came. I don’t want this 5.5 months to be like a mountaintop experience, that has a fading impact, so I will next write about the teachings of my favorite professor, Don Price. One more thing. I remember one of the missionaries I visited handling a beggar girl by telling her she should not allow her parents to make her do it. I never know the right thing to do. My instinct is repulsion, not from the person but, from the deed. I saw many today as I carried my H & M bag with a few groceries to save on another dinner and breakfast. I was also eating messy gelato so no free hand. I passed and ignored a woman begging who was watching a busker singing and gathering donations. She looked sad as she mumbled and walked away. Then I noticed the baby on her back. Ouch for both of us. Another lady sat on the ground with a plastic cup. I thought I would go buy a gelato for her then I thought that would not look good as tourists eating gelato walked past. Then I thought I would give her my bag of food but instead I headed down another alley so I would not pass her again in my indecision. I was ashamed. I can purchase anything I need today and could not give up groceries. Every decision we make regarding people has eternal consequences. I need to not be the same but be more like Jesus.
