My first-born is 20 years old! Happy Birthday, Nate.

Name: Nathan Henderson
Program: Faculty of Environment - International Development

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received at Waterloo?

It was difficult for me to choose just one piece of advice. I heard all sorts of things like study hard, go to class, join a club, etc. I think the thing that stuck with me is: you are here for university, and not just for your degree. This isn’t just school, you’re living life: the university life. Take it in, and live it out. It’s not just about gaining a degree; it’s about embracing a new phase of life.
~Nathan H.~

This was the latest picture I saw on Facebook of you and the caption that followed it. The underlined phrases describes how I see your life thus far.

Fully lived.
You've garnered quite a few accomplishments and labels thus far, including: 

-Wrote first novel in Gr.3; 
-1st male Student Council rep at TCS; 
-Historian at TCS graduation; 
-Service trip to Dominican Republic; 
-TDCH 2011 Prom King; 
-TDCH Valedictorian; 
-Ontario Scholar; 
-Athletic Rep. at Grebel; 
-2 service trips with Mennonite Disaster Relief, just to name a few.

And this year, you've tacked on a few more like: 

Youth Volunteer at Creekside church:

I was so grateful to God that you found a good church 'home' in Waterloo where you felt loved and accepted and enjoyed the solid Biblical teaching.

~~~~~

OWL2012-Welcoming the Frosh to Grebel:

So glad you love where you live and you are loved where you live.

~~~~~

URBANA participant in Missouri:

You had the opportunity of a lifetime to be in the company of like-minded students and hear first-rate speakers who challenged you to live out your purpose for God's glory. And yeah, you got to meet some "Mericans" with their funny accents.

~~~~~

Another MDS service trip to Kentucky:

Wonderful to see you putting your faith and compassion into action and helping those in need so cheerfully.

~~~~~

Part of Grebel hipster photo shoot:

Wow. Add modelling to the list. Ramcharan genes there!

~~~~~

and the ultimate: 

The role of Gilbert Blythe in the Anne of Green Gables musical:

Actor, singer, dancer. You must have taken all my skills(:

I never even knew you liked singing so much! You wowed me, you know.

~~~~~

And your present undertaking as Student Life Leader at Waterloo:

The perfect summer job for you with your skill set and passion!

~~~~~

Even though new experiences have always been a bit daunting to you at first, once you grit your teeth and 'take it in', you embrace it fully. You live in the flesh the abundant life God promises to us. And your Dad and I (and even your lil bro when he admits it) are so proud of you.

But I'm sure not all experiences were good. Some hurt because you're at an age now where some of your young ideals have been crushed in the reality of living in a sin-stained world. You've learnt about the evils in this world, like human trafficking. Some people you thought would be friends for life are perhaps revealing they were friends for a season. You've discovered not all your friends rejoice when you succeed and some even smirk when you fall. You've been discovering what it means to be 'brown' in a somewhat 'white' world.

You see first hand some friends you care about making poor choices and suffering the consequences. You've learnt it's not easy to walk the narrow road.
But you are also learning to learn from the bad, in other words, allowing God to redeem that which Satan meant for your harm, for good.
You'll learn that all of those labels and accomplishments will fade away and only what is eternal will count.

Slowly, you are discovering what makes you tick, what concerns you, what you are passionate about. You are learning more about God, His creation, and your place in His purpose.
So I asked God what verse to bless you with and it came naturally from the very beginning of this post, from your own words about embracing life.

Nate, I bless you first with unending passion and energy to embrace, not life, but the Person of God. When others think of you, may they only think, "Nathan loves God and people." The verse that came to mind is:
Mark 12:30The Message (MSG)

^29-31 Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Nathan[Israel]: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

To do this, you must carve out the time in your busy schedule.

This is one thing Satan does not want you to do. So, the crafty one will bring pleasant distractions to keep you occupied, and tired. 

So you must be alert and self-disciplined. Perhaps have a friend to keep you accountable.

And know that whatever takes away from that time with God cannot be from Him. He desires relationship, with you. Pure and simple.
[**Recommended reading: Knowing God, J.I. Packer]

In this new year, you will be a Don in your residence. 
So secondly,I bless you with wisdom and compassion and yes, sleep!

Psalm 111:10 (AMP)

¹⁰ The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.

And in all you do, thirdly, I bless you with humility of heart and posture, so He is able to teach and guide you in the way prepared for you.
Psalm 25:9 (AMP)

⁹ He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. 

May this be the prayer of your heart:

Happy 20th Birthday (13-07-2013), Nathan!
Always, With Love, Thoughts and Prayers,
Your Mom.