Stepping Into a New Season: My Story, My Calling, and How I Serve

For nearly three years, I’ve had the privilege of serving Evergreen Financial Group as our Operations Associate, working mostly behind the scenes to help keep things running smoothly. As I now step into an expanded role as Associate Planner and Operations Manager here at Evergreen, I’d like to share a bit about myself – how I got here and why stewardship matters so deeply to me. 
 
Up until 2020, I worked independently, privately investing and day trading for several years. While I appreciated the freedom and independence that came with that work, I often sensed it wasn’t my long-term calling. It could be highly stressful and it lacked purpose. I desired change but was not sure where God was calling me.  

Things shifted dramatically in May of 2020. I received a life-altering cancer diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. What followed was a long and uncertain battle that included intense treatment, a bone marrow transplant, and multiple relapses. 9 months following the bone marrow transplant that was intended to save my life, I relapsed for the 3^rd time. My oncology team was not optimistic. My graft was failing, the cancer was back, and there was little-to-no treatment options left. My wife and I prepared for enrollment in a clinical trial followed by a second transplant. 

Through what we can only describe as God’s grace and miraculous healing, I was able to avoid both. My oncologist still refers to my case as one of his most unusual. Still, my team pushed for another transplant. I declined. In October 2022—after a “victory trip” to Hawaii with my wife— a biopsy showed complete molecular remission and full engraftment. In April of 2023 I made first contact with my then 21 year old donor from Germany via email. My wife and I were able to meet him face to face in Europe a year later – a trip I will forever cherish. 

A Season of Surrender: Learning to Trust What I Could Not Control

Very early on in my cancer journey, I realized that I had been stripped of nearly all control over my circumstances. I had no choice but to surrender. My health, my plans, and my future were no longer in my hands. We trusted our doctors deeply, but they were still only human, and there were no guarantees. This forced us to lean fully into Proverbs 3:5: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him” 

Fear and anxiety were constantly knocking at the door. Each relapse brought new uncertainty. I learned, however, that fear is ultimately a distraction—worrying about things I could not control accomplished nothing. I chose to submit my fears and anxiety to the Lord instead as 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to do. We do not have to carry or burdens alone. I chose to trust God, to cling to joy, and to remain hopeful. 

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 became especially meaningful during this time: 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” 

We simply did not have the strength or capacity to worry about what the next day would bring. Instead, we trusted God to provide our daily needs, just as He cares for the birds of the air. And He did—faithfully and abundantly. 

God’s Provision and a New Perspective on Stewardship

God’s provision came most clearly through people. During treatment, we experienced an overwhelming outpour of generosity from friends, churches, nonprofit organizations, and even complete strangers. Financial support helped cover medical, travel, and living expenses. People cared for our home while we were away for months at a time. Others donated their time, skills, prayers, and encouragement. Every need that we submitted to the Lord was met—often before we even realized it existed. 

This generosity revealed something profound to us: God loves His children deeply and provides for them. As Psalm 34:10 reminds us, “those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.” His desire is to take care of us. 

This season reshaped my wife and I’s understanding of biblical stewardship. Not just financial stewardship—but stewardship of health, resources, and purpose. We don’t care for our bodies simply for our own benefit, but so that we have the energy and capacity to live out our calling. Likewise, we don’t accumulate wealth just to let it sit, but we assign it purpose—to grow, to meet needs, to serve others, and to advance God’s kingdom. 

Stepping Into a New Calling: How I Serve at Evergreen

While recovering from my battle with cancer I prayed for new direction in my career. I asked God to lead me toward work that aligned with purpose. Once again, God provided. After getting to know Tim through Church and bonding over our shared interest in finance and our love for the outdoors, he asked if I would like to join Evergreen. The rest is history.  

Working with Tim and Stephen at Evergreen has been such a blessing. I’m grateful to be a part of a close-knit team that serves with genuine care and integrity. Being a witness to the way they build relationships and walk with clients through important decisions has been both inspiring and motivating. This has made me eager to continue growing into a role where I can serve clients more directly.  

Behind the scenes, I’ve enjoyed building systems and workflows that help things run smoothly, creating more space for meaningful planning conversations and relationships with clients. Even though many of my interactions with clients have been shorter, I’ve valued hearing pieces of your stories and being part of your journey. As I move into an expanded role, I’m excited for the opportunity to continue serving and to walk alongside clients in a deeper way. 
 
To our clients, thank you for the trust you place in Evergreen. And to those who are just getting to know us, we would love to hear your story. Get in Touch with us today to explore how purpose-driven planning might support the life you’re building.

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This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Evergreen Financial Group, LLC is a registered investment advisor offering advisory services in Montana, Utah, Wyoming and in other jurisdictions where exempted. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. This communication should not be relied upon as the sole factor in an investment making decision. All opinions and estimates constitute Evergreen Financial Group’s judgement as of the date of this communication and are subject to change without notice. Evergreen Financial Group does not warrant that the information will be free from error. The information should not be relied upon for purposes of transacting securities or other investments. Your use of the information is at your sole risk.