Our Unique Life

Kassie Marque & Friends

Team Rose

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With family & family friends at the Scope it Out 5K in Washington, DC

My mother, Katherine ‘Rose’ had a heart of gold, and spent her life helping those she saw in need.  Even after she was diagnosed with cancer, she still dedicated her life to helping her family, friends, and others who needed help.  She was always sending a card or simple word of encouragement to everyone around her.

In honor of her beautiful life, I’m starting a non-profit, Team Rose, aimed at contributing to cancer research and providing support to cancer patients by letting them know that they are not alone in the fight.  Team Rose has already begun by running in the Scope It Out 5K in Washington, DC for Colon Cancer Awareness last March and more recently delivering beautiful yellow roses to the oncology patients at a local hospital in Newport News, VA.


Now it’s time to raise funds to become an official non-profit to help even more people!  Click here to buy a shirt.

Delivering roses to the oncology patients at a local hospital

Beautiful yellow roses

Much love,

Krystal Antonique

Fasting and Putting Your Priorities in Order

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Mark 9: 29- And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. 


I recently completed a fast, and God revealed a lot to me during this period.  Yet, he didn’t reveal what I was looking for- a way out of my problems.  He has provided what I needed for each situation to enable me to work through and overcome them with Him.

I’ve been fasting as long as I can remember being a Christian.  My parents typically did the Daniel Fast when I grew up (fruits, vegetables, nuts, nothing processed), and I remember asking them if I could join.  My desire for the Lord was always strong as a child.  I remember refraining from TV and removing the meat from a pizza at my friend’s birthday party.  As I matured as a Christian, I still fasted, but I found it harder to fast with the right heart and mindset.


When I lived in South Korea, I was in a Bible Study group among peers and I led a lesson on fasting.  During the research, I remembered what I had forgotten over the years, fasting is about opening yourself up to God’s will, not getting God to do whatever you want.  I remember fasting when my mother was in the hospital.  When I first started it was for her healing, but overtime God opened my heart to be receptive to his will.

These are the things that I have learned over the years from reading the Bible and fasting:

1.  Fasting is not about losing weight or vain personal gain.  As the title states, it’s not a diet, but refraining from food/something to cause you to rely more on and focus on God.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.

2.  Fasting requires commitment.  While fasting, you must set a side time to pray, read the Bible, and spend time with God.  God wants us to seek after him.

Matthew 6: 31-33 So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  

3.  When fasting, you should not complain or tell everyone about your fast/business.  This is just between you and God, unless you’re fasting with someone else.  


Matthew 6: 16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.  

4.  Do not give up.  My hardest fasts have been when I gave up carbs.  One time in college, I did stop the fast.  Yet, I’ve learned that if I keep pushing the Lord will sustain me.  Jesus fasted for 40 days.  Many other people fasted in the Bible, and it’s part of the life of many many Christians today.

Luke 4: 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil.  And in those days he did eat nothing; and when they were ended, he afterward.  


I encourage you to fast and grow closer to God.   If you’d like another post on the specific types fasts or the breakthroughs that I’ve experienced fasting, please let me know.

More info on fasting: http://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/devotional-life/personal-guide-to-fasting.html

Much love,

Krystal Antonique

Travel Diaries: California Dreamin

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My husband and I went to Southern California last week.  While there, we caught up with family, old friends, and got to sight see a bit.  Despite being jet-lagged the whole time I truly enjoyed myself, and we wouldn’t mind moving there in the future.


We attended my oldest nephew’s graduation in Los Angeles.  He grew into a young man overnight and is now way taller than me.  He is definitely model material.  I’m so proud of him for his current achievements.  In the pic below he’s holding my youngest nephew who is a cutie pie even though he went to my husband way more than me.  

The hubby & I played tourists for a day in Hollywood.  We had brunch at a really cute creperie and walked around.  We also took the Starlight Tours  around Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the surrounding areas.  After touring we went to Koreatown, which was a lot larger than I thought, spanned more than a couple blocks, and ate one of my favorites, bimbimbap.  We didn’t want to seem too touristy so no pictures were taken there lol. 

The next day we went to meet up with a friend who lives in Venice Beach.  We had such a great time.  We started out on Abott Kinney Boulevard and had brunch at Feed Body & Soul Restaurant.  The restaurant had an outdoor feel even though we were in the comforts of the air conditioning.  I devoured my food and enjoyed catching up with a friend.  

We went to my favorite place, the BEACH!  I had to put my feet in the water while the guys walked off the sand.  We walked past Muscle Beach and encountered an interesting mix of people.  We watched skateboarders and different entertainers along the boardwalk.

When back on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, we quickly looked at the colorful shops.  I fought back the urge to shop, with all of the trips this summer and renovations to our new home, we need to save as much as we can.  Proud of myself because the clothes in the shops were just my style.

Later that night, I went to my first ‘champagne party’.  It’s definitely a California thing. Even though it’s called a champagne party, I didn’t see any champagne.  The party consisted of the families getting together eating, hanging out, and taking pictures before the senior prom.  This was my nephew’s second time attending prom this year so I was glad to be able to catch at least one.  My husband and I had a blast.  When we arrived, we were served food and had a great time hanging out with the families.  I loved the idea because a lot is usually spent on getting ready for the prom, so it’s nice to celebrate the event with family.  

We stayed with Braylon’s cousin and wife who live in Long Beach.  They live in a really nice area and recently bought a house, and we had a blast staying with him.  
When in Hollywood, I saw a lot of middle aged tourists with selfie sticks, after seeing all of the photo opportunities, I decided to buy one (NO SHAME).  Actually I didn’t bring it out much during the trip, but when Bray’s other cousin and family came over we wanted to take a picture all together since it’s been a long time so insert selfie stick.  
We had a great time, and I hope you enjoyed the photos.
Love, Krystal Antonique

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