andrewkurz_

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:3

10 days until 4.26.26

I would love to recreate this photo in 50 years.

What a good birthday! Thankful for all of the love and for anyone who thought I was turning 27 yesterday.

My fiance showed up at 0450 to surprise me with making breakfast after getting back from my 3.6 mile run. Made dinner and got me 🆕 running shoes too! 😍

“You’re so happy about the shoes and it makes me so happy!”

2025 started out with a heartbreaking fizzling out by the Vikings to my former favorite team (the Rams) who used to be in Missouri. Then the other team from Missouri ended up losing in the Super Bowl in February AND towards the end of the year announced they’d eventually be moving out of the state of Missouri too.

At least there was baseball. And a surprising run by the Mariners. The Blue Jays unfortunately lost to the Dodgers, but instead of going into a deep depression, I was grateful to provide a championship ring to the love of my life.

We had a great season of courtship and I ensured her that I love her more than baseball prior to proposing to her. She isn’t a huge sports fan, but she is supportive of me being supportive of sports and for that I am thankful. She supported me from afar during my marathon in Northern California in May and later in person at my half marathon in December.

No matter how my sports teams are performing or where they are located, I’m thankful to have found someone who supports me and doesn’t label me as a winner or loser. She helps me to have more grace with myself, has yet to beat me in the card game called 313, and we’ve had so many fun adventures together…so far!

Christ the Savior is born!

12/13/25. What a special day for so many reasons:

I don’t necessarily like paying all of the money to run, when I could run elsewhere for free, but decided to do it when I saw it was on December 13th.

The day after my first marathon running buddy passed away four years ago.
➡️
I am thankful to have ran the first few miles of this last Saturday’s half marathon with my future brother-in-law and another friend running his first half marathon.

Seeing my fiancè and friends along the course (and mile 7.5, sorry to have fumbled the whiskey shot handoff) helped give me a boost to get through the inaugural Phoenix half marathon just under my goal time. Right on pace!

I was fading towards the end, but saw the “Believe” sign, ran over to touch it, and then saw Katie shortly afterwards standing on the corner rooting me on. I’m so thankful for her.

The coolest part of my day was getting to participate in a friend’s baptism later that night.

Praise God!

I was reminded recently of Philippians 4:6, a verse I heard sung to a tune at a church in Eureka, CA eleven years ago during a tough time in my life. I had moved out there thinking it would be sunny every day, being California and all, but instead I learned about the climate behind the “Redwood Curtain” and it rained most days.

Phoenix is known for being the “Valley of the Sun” and I’ve seen some of the most beautiful sunsets of my life since moving out here a little over 7 years ago.

On our way to take engagement photos 2 weeks ago, it was raining and my fiancé asked the valid question if we should consider taking photos inside somewhere. Thankfully, the rain stopped and we took photos until sunset. I felt a drop of rain shortly after we took the last photo.

We’ve seen quite the record setting rainfall out here this fall, the most there’s been in the Valley of the Sun for over 100 years. I am thankful and look forward to sharing the raindrops and sunsets with for, God-willing, many years to come.


📸: . Her husband didn’t take any pictures, but he did hold their baby during picture taking, so I will give him credit for that.

Glad to have ran by this yesterday morning. Last night of a free outdoor art exhibit!

“Didn’t they tell you guys to get out of the way!?”

…is what I remember John said to us as he angrily walked past near Wall Street shortly after the making of this video. We exchanged a few words, none of them cuss, but I was angry at this dude with the professional camera who had been camped out upstream waiting to hopefully take a shot of the Narrows without brothers Kurz in it.

“Sorry, they didn’t tell us” is basically what I told him. The people who passed by prior to our encounter didn’t ask us to kindly pack up our lunches and skedaddle like he had asked them to.

After I finished fuming for a few minutes, Lucas and I finished packing up to return to the start.

About a half mile later on the way back, we encountered John with his camera on a tripod taking more shots set up in the direction we were going. I didn’t want to talk to this guy, but at the same time I did, and wanted to give him the piece of my mind that said “this is our canyon too” here at Zion.

I asked if he was done taking his photos so we could proceed peacefully on our way.

We exchanged a few words, none of them cuss, and heard more about each other’s first time being there.

We exchanged first names and I forget his last. He took this pic of us and gave us the pro tip to use the 16:9 option on my phone’s camera.

I didn’t give John any advice on taking better nature photos, but might argue that some of the best ones I’ve ever taken are filled with the people I love.

What happens in Vegas…gets posted the next day.