Escapeseeker

Here’s a quiz:

My name is Mel Gee Henderson. I’m a huge fan of the cinema…a lover of music of every variety, but when it comes to travel, there’s no question, it is my number one passion–or some may even call it my obsession! My motto is “No destination on earth is too far or too difficult to reach.” I was born with an insatiable wanderlust. In 2007, after years of working in various journalism fields, and logging in over a million air miles, I decided it was time to finally combine my love of travel with my love of writing and share my many adventures and travel expertise with others who share my sheer excitement and joy of travel, and who are always seeking to find that next great escape adventure or ultimate 5-star retreat…or better yet, the grand family gathering place where lasting lifetime memories can be created!

Join me, as I guide you from one amazing global destination to another. Don’t hesitate to drop me a “Dear Mel” letter if you need any travel advice of any kind. I will give you ‘tried and true’ advice, and if I don’t have the answer, I can help you find it. Where’s the best place to eat in London after midnight? Where’s the best place to get the ultimate ‘chocolate massage’ in Barcelona? Yes, there is such a specialized treatment, at a mountain top, 5-star luxury retreat overlooking the entire Barcelona cityscape. Or how about the cheapest, but excellent haircut in Paris? I know using ‘cheap’ and ‘Paris’ in the same sentence seems incongruent, but there is such a place. However, you must know at least a little French so you don’t come out looking like ‘Amelie’ 🙂 When it comes to life saving measures– do you know what to pack for a river rafting trip through Tibet? Including one tiny, but crucial item saved a member of our team from experiencing hypothermia. We have my husband, Roy, and his outdoor, high altitude expertise to thank for putting that life-saving item in my backpack! Where are the best places to stay if you’re traveling with three or more children through the Baltic countries? Or how about if your 11-year old daughter decides she wants to visit the Balearic Islands–Ibiza to be exact? Thanks MTV! But we did manage to find a wonderful family-friendly place in Ibiza where she found other children who were great fun and multi-lingual. By the way, I’ve logged in a lot of miles with our eight (6+2 combined) children and they’re some of our very best memories ever. Now, fast forward to present day, we’ve grown, and are continually growing in sheer numbers by leaps and bounds, so navigating the planet has truly become an art!

I’m a great believer that we can all learn from one another, so I look forward to getting your feedback, and reading about your many travel adventures (and expertise) as well.

By the way, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my family and friends, as I will be sharing their life’s many exciting adventures as well on my blog. It is evident that my family’s “wanderlust” and sheer love of life runs deep. As they say, “the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

And, lastly, if I may borrow the “best” motto of Mr. H., “Let us all Begin Each day Selecting Tremendous!

Here’s to blissful escapes in 2008…

Yours truly,

Escapeseeker

Vladivostok – Excerpts from Elder Gee’s report (in his own words), Wednesday, January 16th, 9:02 a.m.

Hello mother! I’m here and incredibly safe! Get this: I’m really experiencing cold like I never have before in my life. WOW. Let me tell you a little about it:
On Friday morning we went with President and Sister Everett to the airport to meet the 5 new missionaries. It was very fun and exciting. I loved very much talking with them. It brought back very many good memories. I really can remember every little thing back 2 years ago to my own first day in the country. It was a shocker then and it was a shocker for these 5 as well.
One of them looked at one of the big block apartment buildings and asked: “Do people live in those?” It just so happened to be his apartment building where he would be living.
We right away took them to the Russian/Chinese Market to get these suited up in their big leather/fur coats, hats, and gloves.
They really were welcomed with quite the big shock. It was cold like no body’s business. On Sunday morning when I woke up at looked at the temperature it shown – 17 degrees Fahrenheit! Also the wind chill added (or better to say subtracted) another 10 degrees. I feel a little bad for these new elders for they are experiencing this in their first days and yet it is the coldest I have experienced in the whole 2 year service. Even ask we go to leave our apartment building stairwell the door’s frame and handle is all frozen over.
The new elders are all amazing. They will really do great. As I was with them I could only imagine all that they have lying in store for them. I was very excited for them but I can’t say that I was jealous. Just imagining it all seemed to exhaust my mind, heart, and spirit. Especially looking back on my own personal experiences…I wouldn’t give up each and every unforgettable moment for the world, yet knowing and remembering what it took, just how personally challenging and straining it all has been, I don’t know if I could do it again. Surely God has blessed me with His grace.
All of the Elders were sent off to their separate cities to meet their trainers. One of them even got on that same bus all alone heading to Nahodka as did I two years ago.
There was one, however, who’s flight to Sakhalin was canceled and had to wait three days. President had Elder Thompson go work with another companionship so that I could train this new elder in a companionship of just the 2 of us to get him in the flow as soon as possible. I LOVED IT! It was also very tiring however… I ran him good. I told him to make sure and pack his running shoes. Each day I set up lessons with all my favorite members and investigators from all around them city and we were up and about from morning til evening. I kept him up til planning was over our first night. The second night didn’t quite workout. He came in and as soon as I could get off all my snow gear I found him already asleep on the bed, still in his suit. I let him be.
Mother, in planning anything for me after my return i ask that you expect the very most out of me. I will give it my very all and be dedicated at what ever i need to be. I thank you for al you are doing for. I thank you for your support and especially for your inspiration day to day…

Also, another thought. According to the Russian conditions of what is a successful man, i have learned just how successful father is. Check this out:
Everyone successful man should:
Build a house
Plant a tree
Raise a child
Wow…father is quite the example for me.
Alright. Well let me close. I’m sorry i don’t have so much time. I was busy enjoying your blog. I loved it…

I love you family.
Love elder gee

Note: This photo was taken during warmer days. 🙂

It is not surprising to hear the tremendous excitement from family and friends upon hearing that Elder Garrett Gee will be returning soon after completing more than two years of missionary service. But his #1 fans, who also happen to be each other’s BFF’s took it to a whole new level! 🙂 Yeah Alex and Gabes, You’re AWESOME!I love you too!

Mel~

Well how are you? You seem to be doing great i loved your blog! very nice!! Garretts letter was so good this week i loved hearing that he is a little bit excited to come home!!! I don’t think he could be as excited as all of us are to have such an amazing person back…huh. I am sure you know exactly how many days he has left but Gabes and I got really into it and wanted to know the day, hour, min, second till he would be here and so we have a count down going on facebook…at this moment he has 36 days 2 hours 32 min and 7 seconds give or take a few min. ha ha oh man i am so excited to have him home i can hardly wait!!!

i also just wanted to thank you for always getting his email to me and the other things you keep me updated on! i love to hear about what you are up to…its always an adventure!

i love you mel and hope to see you soon!

love alex

Contagious laughter between best surfing buds!

Whenever I feel as though I am continually swimming against the tide, I recall this beautiful scenery from the steps of the Princeville in Kauai, Hawaii…and an overwhelming sense of gratitude feels my heart…first that I’ve been granted the gift of sight to see such beauty…and second, the gift of gratitude to recognize its presence.

So whenever you’re sad, close your eyes and remember all of the beautiful places you’ve been…all the wonderful people you’ve met…and it is sure to turn even the saddest face into one bright glowing smile.

Here is our thought for the week:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
~ Melody Beattie ~

Hello my favorite Russian!
Well a couple of weeks ago I gave you the happiest news of my life. This week I have even better news. Yesterday I went and had an ultrasound an we found out I’m pregnant with twins!!!! I’m so happy and feel so blessed. I’m already getting big too:) I’ll send you a pic of the ultrasound. Thank you for your faith, service, and prayers. I can’t help but feel your mission and dedication have a direct correlation with the countless blessings we are receiving. I just pray I’ll always be worthy.
I imagine you are super busy as a Zone Leader. Do you enjoy managing others? It is a great skill that will carry over into the rest of your life, just like the rest of your mission experience will too.
I love you and am so proud of you my lil bro. You are a spiritual giant in my eyes. Hope your Russian Avery is enjoying her time on the same continent as you.
Thanks again for your love and support. I love you lots and lots and so do the babies!
Love,
Mama Noakes
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