Kopp Family 2020 Update

Here is a little update from The Kopp Family from the year of 2020 to present:

January 2021 marks Caleb's 18th year in the Army. He is currently serving as a Senior Drill Sergeant here at Fort Benning where we reside, and was accepted into the 3rd year Drill program which will extend our stay here until he retires or gets a promotion that would possibly change our course… again. He has juggled being a daddy drill while also being an amazing dad and husband at home. He has worked hard this past year to make his way as a Senior and it has not gone unnoticed. His command has honored him with high remarks and excellent reviews. While my health struggled a lot this year, mentally and physically (even before covid set in) we navigated some huge medical hurdles and have actually been able to start the process of elimination and exploration of things that could be causing the issues. Along with a long list of doctor appointments, I have kept myself busy launching our new Nonprofit (more info attached) homeschooling Elsie (4, prek), Annaleigh( 5, k), Joshua (9, 3rd), Caleb (11, 6th) and Kayleigh (14, 9th) while cheering Kayla (18) on in her senior year at Chattco High School and occasionally coaching Elijah (20) with life skills and prayers while he continues college in CO.

Elsie June is growing into a fiery redhead that has the best raspy voice and spunky and wild personality. She is all fight and no flight. Literally as I write this, one child is seeking protection from her demanding presence and outrageous need to win every battle (I personally have no idea where she gets it...) Annaleigh Elizabeth is still a sweet and caring kiddo with a soft spoken spirit. She is empathetic and lives up well to her nickname Animal-leigh, as she is drawn to any living creature around. She is also the worry-er of the family and will literally worry about any and everything that passes through her mind. We pray often together to help ease the tension and anxiety of those moments. 

Joshua Eric has the energy of a nuclear power plant and leaves a trail of chaos and hugs everywhere he goes. He is wild and sweet, energetic and mischievous and always keeps us on our toes. We never know where his shoes or shirt are and oftentimes we run late waiting for these things to be found. Caleb Isaac has announced that he is well on his way to manhood with the appearance of armpit hair and the occasional voice change. When he can’t play video games he spends his time reading, coming up with jokes and puns and of course challenges everyone in the household to any debate he can come up with. His informational database on everything from comic book reference, historic wartime battles and generals, to actors and voice overs appearances constantly keeps me fact checking and google searching to keep up. He is witty and intellectual and occasionally has the biggest heart in the world (usually just before he asks to play video games or a raise on his allowance, no connection, I’m sure.) We all pray he will use his big brain for world peace and not world domination… the verdict remains out. 

Kayleigh entered her freshman year of high school and has chosen to do it at home. She had a slow start to making friends here but is now fully booked with Duo calls, text messages and overnighters. She continues to grow in art and can draw up anything she looks at long enough. She has a way with colors and organization and is our go-to pantry savior. She and Kayla have become so very close over the past 2 years and often they are found hiding together with their furry little animals and their phones, giggling about memes and inside jokes. Kayla entered her Senior Year at Chattco Public High School with dual enrollment and should graduate with her CNA certificate alongside her diploma. While she is bright enough for college her future is still undetermined so she may take a gap-year at a Christian Camp she used to volunteer at in Colorado to give her some time to decide. 

Lastly, Elijah (20) is plowing through his second year at Adams State University, keeping up with his studies and 3 track practices each day. As a Sophomore, his hard work has landed him as his College Track Team’s Captain. He looks forward to his first college competition at the end of this month and we have been asked to pray for an Olympic tryout invitation that may come after his National College Track Competition. We love that he still comes home each and every long school break, we soak up this time with him as we know the time is slipping him into adulthood. Our extra kiddos such as Jaymarie (JJ) and Josh Biggs are also doing well and still come to stay every chance they get as well. JJ lives nearby so we get regular weekend visits and Josh is doing well in a college in Wisconsin where he plays basketball and holds down a job in a group home for adults with mental disabilities. This holiday season also brought in Naomi(24), one of Elijah and Kayla’s bio-sister. She will be staying with us for a couple months while she saves up and looks for another place in the area. She is working part time and going to Technical College to become a dental assistant, which is cool because as a student she will be getting some of her experience at a clinic here on Fort Benning. So yes, our house is full but our hearts are BURSTING! 

Our prayer is that you stay healthy and safe in the year of 2021 and that while life may be challenging and unexpected, that you will find peace, joy, and kindness hiding in the ordinary moments of life. We pray that your heart will be compelled to make the difference in the world around you that you long to see and know is needed and we pray that all the resources you will need to impact your life and the life of others in a positive way will be available to you. We pray that you will be surrounded (even if not physically) with support and encouragement and that 2021 will bring new dreams of hope and opportunities to share goodness to others.  

That pretty much concludes the Kopp Crew catch-up. 2020 was a blessing we didn’t know we needed and while we navigated the hurdles of Covid-19, work and school we also grew individually and collectively stronger than we ever thought. We conquered 2020 with patience, love and grace and humbly look forward to 2021 with much of the same.