Become ExtraOrdinary

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2010-11-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

5 New Showson Verizon Fios Channel 1 Saturday at 11:00am

2010-03-26T23:18:00.001-07:00

I usually try to give some helpful advice, you may have noticed that I took a huge break. I took that break because I was going through a personal hell that I will get into in another blog where I am not so sleepy. I am struggling right now just to type this without falling asleep and I promise I will start back blogging because the good lord is giving me a break and 2010 is looking very bright. I praise God right now in public because he blessing me in public. Please watch Verizon Fios Channel 1 at 11:00am. If you don't live in MD, VA, DC please go to www.thestudiova.com and you can watch it. I would also like to give a "shout out" to a couple of folks first my husband and my son, then Maurice Spencer and his crew of my frat brothers. I must thank Hollywood my LS for constant support and upliftment Hollywood and Torsheda for coming to check on a sister when she knew I was needed help and Angela Mitchell understands this on my special day the words I will speak will be But God! Thank you all of D'ville for your support and any one else who watches on of sends me your positive thoughts and positive prayers and energy May God Bless and be with you. Again Thank you I need suppor and prayers and loc

Ms. Napptural

2009-09-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

Send your questions in and ask for help I will respond

2009-08-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Friends and Family this is an example of a question I just received that I wanted to share with you . I am sharing this question in hopes that you will see yourself and hopefully the answer will be helpful. Bless you all and feel free to email me at apriljonestv@gmail.com with your question let me know if you would like me to post it.
I honestly just came across your name while I was working and had to release your Vacation Unit in XYZ Beach! But, I clicked on your link for your show and I like what I have read and seen. You seem to be a very positive woman and I need that kind of inspiration that you give. I am a 27 (going on 28) year old female. I am married and I have a 5 month old baby boy. Life for me started out great of course, but it seems that I am spiraling down hill. My credit is shot and I am very well in debt, and I dont seem to be getting anything done that I would have liked to have done by this poiint in my life. My self esteem is lower than it has ever been and I just seem very lost. I try to tell myself that I will be better, I know that I can do better for myself. I do feel like I depend on my Husband to make me feel pretty by telling me or to make any or all decisions for me. I want to be able to depend on my self to get anything I need done, I want to feel pretty to myself without someone having to tell me to think it. I keep telling myslef that I need to get a makeover or go to the beauty and nail salon every two weeks, but I really cant afford it. But in order to get that done I need to get my money right. I need a plan of action for my life, mentally, phyically, emaotionally, etc. Can you help me in any way. Even if not for the being on the show, maybe you can talk to me and help me out. Thank you for listening! I look forward to hearing from you! (I know that I was jumping all over the place with this)
This was my answer to her thank you so much for writing to me. First I want to tell you that you are not alone. I did not know I was pretty until I was 26, because I to relied on my husband to tell me I was pretty and he is just not that type of man. We will talk about the show later, but I want and can help you right now with your self esteem. First of all I love you and so does God and you are beautiful. Especially since you just gave birth to a baby, what a miracle that is. All women can't have babies but God trust you and thinks enough of you that he believes you have something amazing and special to pour into that baby. God gave that special gift to you. You don't have to get your nails done at the salon go to the store and spend two dollars one on nail polish remover and one on nail polish and explain to your husband that you would really like to get your nails done but since the family can't afford it you just need 30 minutes by yourself to do your nails. If he is tripping and does not want to give you the time, take the baby to your mother or have a friend come over. There is always a way. Even if you have to wait for the baby to go to sleep. Spend that 30 minutes on yourself. If you want to increase your finances, the way I can guarantee you to see the quickest results is to give, give to the church, a charity, a good cause as long as you sew on fertile ground God, will multiply it by 10. I promise. God is faithful and he honors his word. As far as a plan of action for your life I am going to give you two homework assignments 1. Pray and ask God to order your life and to put you on a path to your destiny. Order your steps. 2. I want you to make me a list of the goals you would like to accomplish and email them to me.

Day 26

2009-07-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, reading the April Jones Show blogspot is finally paying off, You get an exclusive sneak peak of my interview with the Hottest Group in Music and Television. Day 26. Ladies and Gentlemen I have never felt so awesome in my life. Brian from the group was very kind to this married mother of two. He made me fell like I was 23 again. That is a big deal because that was 10 years ago. All of these talented brothers are fab-u-lous and offer something special to the group. To find out more check out this sneak peak at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZS-WmaND_I
I love you all and I hope you are inspired and more determined to pursue your dreams after you watch this footage.
Love you and Keep on Keeping On!

We are all the same!

2009-06-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

This blog comes to you inspired by a young man I meet today who felt like his past choices made in not eligible for future opportunities. I remembered a conversation with a lady who went to church with me as I was growing up in Martinsville, VA. Her name is Ms. Belvin she was a very Godly women who had such a sense about people , if I did something I knew I was not supposed to do, I would not go near her, because I knew she would know. Anyway, I remember hearing a conversation between Ms. Belvin and another women where she told that women there are only two type of people in the world those that do it and those that get caught doing it. When I said it to him, I thought to myself this is something the world needs to know. So many people, spend time judging other people, pointing the finger, talking down and around people. There is but one God and only he can judge. I almost typed in protest to stop doing that but that would mean that I am judging the judge and I don't want to do that. There are people that need love, hope, inspiration. I can not think of one human being that desires to be disliked, hated, looked down upon or thought lowly. How would you feel if everyone knew your past? How would you feel if everyone knew your secrets? Not the surface ones about your hair dye or extensions or the little lies that you tell about income and position at work but the dark ones, the embarrassing ones, the ones that you hope and pray your mother never finds out about, the ones you pray your wife or husband never know. The secrets that only you know and hope to high Haiti's that no one every finds out about. Know that I have you thinking, the next time you judge or chastise someone or think that they are so low because they made this mistake or that they have this problem that you are so much better. Love them, Help them, Give Them, Forgive them, Give them an opportunity to be great! Because at the end of the day we are all the same!

Everything Works for the Good!

2009-06-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

I just want to say that what the world means for bad, The Lord means for good. I am so amazed at how God will take a situation and turn it around. I was in a very bad situation, if you have been following my blog you know that I have been threatened with layoffs at least twice this year. You may also know that I had a coworker that was causing me a great amount of stress. Do you know that combination was causing me terrific pain and stress, however God took that very situation and used it to bless me beyond belief. The lesson here is to be patient and to trust God. God always has a blessing in store for you. I have to take a break right now just to talk about the obvious, when I first started this blog I would try to sneak a message from God or a biblical lesson and hide it under the inspirational umbrella. However, God has been so amazing to me that I could not help but to come completely out of the closet yes ladies and gentleman I am a Christian, I am a sell out ... I have sold out to God. Say it Loud, I am Saved and Proud. I can not hide it I got too much pride in it. I don't know what else to say. God has turned my every mistake around. Everything that I thought I messed up, God has fixed it up. It would be wrong for me after all the things that he has done for me to not confess and shout from the mountain top. Never will a rock cry out in my place!!! I hope y'all got something from this, if you want to hear about something else just email me or leave a comment. I love you all April ... But God!

National Academy Foundation High School

2009-06-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

I just want to say to the Class of 2009 at the NAF in Baltimore, MD... Congratulations. I have never felt such electricity. I hope I said something that will inspire you to greatness. All of you are already great and it was my purpose to allow God to use me to say something that would/could propel you to greatness that would last forever. I know that my message was a lot to digest but I believe that you could handle a heavy weight message. You are a class of survivors and victors. You are a class of beautiful, smart, humble, and sweet young men and women. I am so very proud of you. I am thankful that you choose me, and I am grateful that you allowed me to be your commencement speaker. Your parents are tremendous and it was obvious from all the people that showed up at your graduation that you have so much love and support. Parent, Grandparents, and friends, don't forget about them when they leave home, they will need care packages, money for books, advice and most importantly your continued love and support. Call them, check on them, pray for them and help them get back up if they fall down. I love you all and I am so so thankful that you allowed me to be part of your day. April

The April Jones Show and The Santana Moss Birthday Celebration

2009-06-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWFvYMgM8AI
I want to try something new, to see if my audience responds better to video or written blog. I also promised I would give a shoot out to Ally from the Current, you are a wonderful brilliant young lady and I wish that all your dreams come true.

Don't Be Like the Jones'

2009-05-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

I had a very interesting conversation with a good friend of mine today, and in that conversation, I had a revelation. The revelation was remove the clutter from your life and you can figure out what is really going on. My husband and I recently did this; about a year ago we stopped throwing parties. This was a big deal because for the last 10 years we spent the majority of our time doing just that. Getting our party on! We would normally spend between $300 and $1000 dollars a weekend just entertaining our friends. I asked my husband about a year ago to try an experiment with me and he did. I told he to stop buying alcohol and cigars and to see who will still be around and we lost a handful of "friends", and then I asked him to stop having parties and we lost a couple more. Then something really awful happened to my family and we decided to not ask for help but to see who would volunteer and we found ourselves alone. Awh… you may be thinking and at first I felt sad and alone, then I started realizing that my groceries were lasting for months instead of days and that I had more money to do things for myself. My husband and I recently decided to go back to school and I thought I was truly crazy I even wrote about it a couple of weeks ago. Then I realized that even with us being in school, having two kids, starting a new business, running my show and his catering business, and my 9 to 5 we still had free time. Which brings me to my original thought; it is amazing how well you see when you don't have something in your eye. This is not an insult on all the people that stopped hanging out, quite the opposite I am thankful to them for showing my husband and I that we needed to focus on ourselves and our family. I want to take this as a teaching moment. If you have clutter in your life get rid of it and start really looking at what you are doing with your time and money. Spend your energy on improving yourself and not just entertaining yourself. This time I will tell you not to be like the Jones.

Guard Your Happiness!

2009-05-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

As I type this I am thinking to myself this one is for me. I hope you enjoy it too, but if you don't I am totally okay with it. Ladies and Gents do you know it is your job to Guard your Happiness. To protect it at all cost, and to make sure you don't let anyone take it away. Be careful not to get caught up in other people's drama and issues. From the time you wake up in the morning until the time you go to sleep at night you are responsible for you. You know better than anyone what makes you happy and it is your responsibility to make sure that you have it, do it, protect it, and own it. I know I enjoy laughing so if it's foxxhole radio ( Jamie Foxx's radio station) or watching a comedy, I can always make myself laugh. Your emotions are your own responsibility, not your husbands, your wife's, you mother sister or brother. It is up to you. I also want to caution you that how you feel effects others and what comes to you. I believe in two things you reap what you sew and rejoice and rejoice again. So sew happiness and happiness is what you will reap, and no matter what be happy - find something to be happy about. Even if it is just your breath. Remember brothers and sisters - Guard Your Happiness protect it at all cost. I love you and I am praying for your Happiness.

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

I think it would be rude not to salute those that have supported this country, that have died and sacrificed their families, their careers, their hopes and dreams. So to all of the men and women who are serving or have ever served, we say Thank you! For everyone else take the time to reflect and to thank God for the fact that you are alive today. For as long as you have breath in your body you have a chance to fix it. If you have made a mistake with your wife, husband, brother, sister, mother, father you have another chance to call and say I am sorry. I don't' care what you have done, or not done if you have breath in your body you have an opportunity to make it right. Spend your time, living your life to the fullest. If you can make a wrong right do it, then move on and have a good time. Get your life on! April.

For the Brothers!

2009-05-24T11:47:00.001-07:00

To my surprise, I have been getting comments on my blogs from the brothers. So first I want to say thank you for reading and for being brave enough to respond. It just proves my theory that there are some real strong men in the world. So to say thank you to all the men that follow my blog. This one is for you.

Let me start by saying there are some very good men out there. They are not married, or gay, or poor, or having bad credit. I have meet and continue to meet some strong beautiful men in my day to day comings and goings. Now understand that my day job is in Information Technology and that is a very male driven field. So I am probably more exposed to men than most women, and I am also very married which I think makes it easier for men to talk to me and tell me all their business. My husband tells me to stop playing match maker. But it is hard for me. I love being in love and I love being married. I wish everyone had what I have and I try to facilitate that every once in a while. Back to my point. I along with most black men are sick of hearing women say that all the good men are gone or gay. I would like to take this time to say two things to women. #1 Be willing to work with a brother. When I met my husband he was not perfect and neither was I. Please hear me on this one sisters. I knew what I was bringing to the table and I expected a peer not perfection. Women we are not perfect and we should not expect men to be. I have heard women stop dating wonderful men for everything from he wears undershirts with holes in them to he drives a Mazda. If we want a deep fulfilling relationship we ourselves can not be shallow and superficial. #2 Are you making room for your blessing. I thought about addressing numerous subjects in my #2 but I think the number one issue with women is they say they want a man, but their lives are filled with their children, their careers, their designer clothing and accessories, their hobbies and girlfriends. I consider making room for your Mr. right as an act of faith. I believe you should involve God in all things. Go to God and ask him to send you what you need. But when you pray for this man be prepared, expect God to bless you. In that preparation, I would start by really loving yourselves. Take care of yourself and not those superficial things like getting a pedicure or a manicure, but the real things like taking care of your spirit. Are you taking care of yourself in a way that you feel good about yourself no matter what you look like. Are you loving yourself in a way that you know you are special to God and that you deserve the best. And here is the good news there are some "the best" brothers and others out there. Sister's/women you are God's Masterpiece" You are special to God and you deserve the best, but you have to expect and also I beg you to look at your definition of the best. Please women stop having pity parties and lets have some I am so pretty parties. Say things to yourself, like I am pretty, I am beautiful, I am special, I am smart, I am happy, I am wealthy, I am peace, I am laughter. Most important I am . Do you understand that you are here and everyday that you wake up and you are here it is a blessing. Stop crying about what you don't have, what you want to have, and enjoy life. Find a way to make yourself happy. Rent a movie, go to a comedy show, walk outside expect to have fun and I bet you will. I love you all and Keep on Keeping on April

Keeping the Peace!

2009-05-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I addressed games and drama, allow me to shed some light on keeping the peace. Sisters I am going to drop some knowledge on you that it took me years to learn. The Art of Keeping the Peace. Do you know that you do not need to address every issue? Do you know that you don't always have to be right? Do you know that you can let somethings go? I learned all of this the hard way. I am a very strong personality and so is my husband and we can get angry with the best of them and trust me I know how to beat a brother down with my mouth as I am sure that you know how to as well. Here is the thing. Every issue is not life altering and need to pick and choose your battles. You also need to change your definition of a battle. I find that yelling and screaming at my husband is very ineffective. However, if I invite him out to lunch and discuss an issue he usually hears me very well and responds very quickly. Please don't misunderstand me there are time when I loose it and let it rip, but because I am focused on building so many other things those times are few and far between. Here is the tests: Whatever you are mad about will it stop you from being you? Will it hurt you or your children? Okay if the answer is no keep it moving and spend that energy on your dream. That is how you keep the peace. Now listen all of this advice depends on the fact that you married the right man and that you love him and would like to spend the rest of your life with him. If not keep it moving and Keep on Keeping On! I love you and God Bless April!

No Games and No Drama!

2009-05-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

This is the first of a short series on relationships. It will be short because I have very simple to the point advice. I don't believe in games or tricks or any of the traditional things like 10 things you should do to get a man or a women. In case you would like to know what qualifies me to speak on relationships. I have been happily married for 10 years. I have been with my husband for at least 13 years and we are still having fun and dare I say "getting busy". I knew Reggie was the one because he was the first relationship that I had ever been in where I did not have to wonder. I did not have to guess. I knew from the beginning that he was "in to me", I knew I was special. I did not have to call first or ask questions like " is it okay for me to come over" I had a free pass into his life. Now don't get it twisted we have had our moments and every single day has not been perfect. Our understanding has been - the word divorce does not exist! So when you take that option off the table, quitting is not an option. I want to go back and give a little insight on the dating part. Understanding that all of my readers are not married. Before I meet Reggie I dated many men. However, no one made me feel like an absolute queen the way he did. There were men who gave me money, laughter, conversation, and other things. However, my husband was the first boyfriend that I felt like he had given me the keys to the Kingdom. I did not have to wonder with him if I was the one, he clearly communicated his intentions from our very first conversation. He was honest and upfront about everything, including the fact that he had a two year old son. He was clear about the fact that if I was not cool with the kid, I was not cool with him. In our very first conversation we talked about life goals and what we wanted to build together. Keep in mind that I was only 19 at the time and I did not know everything. But I was clear that I wanted that type of honesty, that type of conversation, that type of magic. So to end this blog on relationships tonight. I want to encourage you ladies to look deeper than the car, the education, the money, and even the sex. How does he make you feel? Are you special to him? Are you playing games? Is he playing games? All of these questions only you can answer and I urge you to be honest with yourself. Gents, I have not forgotten about you but I try to keep these short. I will get at you tomorrow. I know I usually close with inspirational thoughts or notions. Tonight I close with I love real men and I am grateful to have one. Peace and Blessing, Keep on Keeping On! I love you all. April

Patience can be life saving!

2009-05-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, I promised I would continue this series until I got a break thru and I think today is the last day for this topic, tomorrow I will talk about relationships. This morning I had a meeting at the USDA. My daytime job is that of a Business Development Executive, so I am rolling, cutting it close, doing like 70-80mph. I hate being late mainly because I am black. I am on a personal mission to dispel hurtful stereotypes about black folks. However don't get it twisted, I don't care what anybody says about fried chicken, because I really do like it. Anyway, I am driving as fast as I can because I don't want to be late. I was 0.4 miles away from the building and I made a wrong turn, that put me back on 395s and caused me to be 15 minutes late to my meeting, at first I was furious, then I thought it must be for a reason and so I started to praise God for whatever he was doing for me. When I finally arrived, everyone that worked at USDA was standing outside due to a fire drill. The Police had blocked off the street and the fire department was just leaving. I thought to myself had I gotten there on time, I would have been in the middle of this chaos. To add to it, the lady I was supposed to meet with called in sick but I did not find that out until waiting for an hour, but here is the cool thing; I very nice your man approached me and asked me who was I there to meet with, I told him and he walked to the ladies office. However, she was not in, but her Director was and she was amazing and she just happened to be my sorority sister. So let me break this down for you in case you missed the lesson. God delayed me to keep me out of chaos, then he delayed me so that instead of talking to the man sitting next to the man, I got to talk to the man. So the point is having to wait is not always a bad thing, and all delays are not for your displeasure they could be saving your life. The Bible says Rejoice and Rejoice Again. Folks wait on your blessings! I love you all, I thank you for reading this, and I pray your life is over run with blessings. Keep on Keeping On! April

Give me mine the old fashioned way!

2009-05-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Okay its was harder than I thought to write to you for 100 days straight. I got side tracked by my own expectations as well as a sick baby but mostly a broken heart. I was hoping that I would write this blog and then I would start this wonderful dialogue with America, as people's lives had been changed they would write to me and give me instant gratification. I was wrong. I am guilty of being a student of the microwave age, where we want instant gratification, and we want it quickly. Right now I am laughing at myself. My girlfriend Jewell was just telling me about how my generation wants everything right now and I thought to myself...not me:) Okay Jewell you were right. I do want it now. But is now the best for you? So I ask you and myself would you rather have a cake baked in the oven the old fashioned way or would you prefer the microwave. Give me my cake the old fashioned way. Why it taste better, that way and I am confident it is better for you. Maybe it is the wait that makes it taste better, maybe it's the love, either way it is just better. What if God, answered your every prayer right away. If that were true I would not be married to my wonderful husband. I would be married to my first boyfriend. ( who shall remain nameless because he would get way to much joy out of that) I am not saying he is a bad person, he was just not the right man for me, however I did not know that at the age of 14. Now ladies think about all the man in between your first boyfriend and Mr. right if you ever found him. What if God answered all those prayers instantly. I can not help but to laugh right now because I had too many Mr. Wrong's along the way. No offense if you are my ex boyfriend and you are reading this right now. God bless you and Heaven smile upon you! This is the point. Somethings are worth waiting for, like your dreams, your career, your perfect man. Let's say you just graduated from college, are you truly ready to be the CEO of American Express. Do you think you would do a better job with 5 or 10 more years of experience. I know I would. We are going to continue this conversation, because this is an area that I think I need the most work in.

Sometimes You Have to Encourage Yourself.

2009-05-13T16:49:00.000-07:00

Let me start with an apology. To all of you who have faithfully followed my days of inspiration I want to say Thank you and apologize for my absence. I would also like to announce that the first Starbucks Gift Card will go to Tracey Alford who posted a comment to my last blog. I have 9 more to give out and would love to give one to you.

Now own to more important business, I stopped writing my inspirational blog because I did not think anyone was reading them. I felt like I was not making a difference. Many of you who know me understand that normally have to wait until the little one goes to sleep so I can focus on what God wants me to say. Unfortunately I allowed negative energy to influence me and have me to believe that I was not reaching you. I became discouraged so I stopped. Thankfully God had something different in mind, he sent several angels to tell me that they were being uplifted and inspired and that they were depending on this blog to give them a boost. Before I started this I had a conversation with a friend and in that conversation we discussed measurable results. At that time I told him that I did not need to see measurable that all I needed was for God to say to do it. Please understand it was not that person's fault that I started to look for something. It was my very own. I discouraged myself, when I should have been encouraging myself. Here is the crazy part during this time God showed up and showed out. God rained blessing and miracles down so much so that I am in tears just typing this. Friends let me tell you God whipped away/ made disappear a 100,000 debt that I had been worrying me for years. The company that I owed the money to called me and said that it was a mistake and that not only did I not owe them money but they found out they owed me thousands of dollars. I cried while own the phone with the company and as I started to praise God the guy said would you like something else to praise God about I said yes. That is when he started to go through the computer and find additional monies that they owed me. To God be the Glory! I have so much to say about God but so that I make this a quick read I will stop now. Know that I love you and I love God. Pray for me to stay encouraged and I will continue to pray for you.

Give Give Give and Get Get Get Day 7

2009-05-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I really hope I am making a difference in your lives. I pray that the words I am typing are adding value and bringing you joy! Here is the crazy thing, I started these 100 days of inspiration because I felt like America needed a dose of hope and inspiration. What I did not realize is that I to needed hope and inspiration. I did not realize it until last night, when I got an outpouring of support and comments that the very thing I was trying to give was the exact thing I got in return. So I am going to turn up the heat. To the first 10 people that post comments to this blog I am going to give a $10 dollar gift cards to Starbucks. Just leave your comment and I am going to contact you for where to send your gift card. You are all wonderful and loved by me. Please let me know if you need me to speak or answer any specific questions.

Thank you!

2009-05-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

God, I just want to say Thank you, I want to praise you, I want to love you. "Never will a rock cry out in my place"
God I just want to say Thank you.
I wish I had a profound gift that I could use to say Thank you, as a matter a fact
If I had the voice of Beyonce' or Anita or Patty especially Aretha I would sing to you in a beautiful melody, Thank You God
You have been so good to me.
If I had the ability to Dance like Debbie Allen or Alvin Alley I would choreograph the most
beautiful graceful dance to say Thank You God
If I had artistic command of a paint brush like Picasso or Dante what a picture I would paint
God I would move the brush in a way to express my appreciation
I just want you to know how Thankful I am.
If I could play an instrument, like my sister Melinda I too would blow, pluck and bang out the most melodic rhythm and at the end of my song you would know I'm Thankful Lord
God I just want to Praise you
I want to let you know how Thankful I am.
God I love you,
I love you
I love you
and I just want to say Thank you.
I wish I were Shakespeare, Poe, or Langston I would write a poem so amazing People would talk about it for years. It would rhyme, it would flow, it would be great to read and when my readers finished reading it tears would come down their eyes and the world would know that April Jones is Thankful.
God I praise you
I love you
I need you every hour I need you
"Oh Lord I need the"
I just want to say Thank you

Expect a Miracle!

2009-05-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

Wow today was mind blowing, but before I start on today. Let me tell you about yesterday. Got and email from my boss said we may get laid off again. Got mad, cried, got scared again, talked to God. Remembered that I was supposed to get a Miracle today and decided to wait to see what would happen. So I got up early this morning because I was expecting a miracle. Went to the doctor it, he was wonderful. Thank you Doc. Greg if you are reading. Then went to my 2:00 appointment got a catering job to feed 300 people. Miracle #1, Went to my CPA found out my tax bill was going to be much lower than I thought Miracle #2, Had a minister tell me to stop waiting on people to tell me what I am going to be and realize that I already am. She said that I was already a media conglomerate and I need to start being it and stop waiting on it. Miracle #3. Then my husband took me out on a date Miracle #4 and it's only 8pm. I am expecting more miracles tonight because I got 4 more hours left. So it made me think what if I expected Miracle's everyday. I challenge you to expect a miracle tomorrow. I love you all God Bless and Keep on Keeping On. April

Day 5- Do Complain!

2009-05-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

On day 4 , I told you how a single song inspired me and today I want to take you in a different direction, but just for a little while. I want you to complain. I want you to shout, curse, scream to the top of your lungs. What ever you issue is I want to let all the anger out. Cry do what every you have to do to express the fact that you are mad and angry, disappointed and pissed off. Write it down, blog about it, record a video if you like but I want you to get it all out of your system. Let it all hang out. After that be done with it. You are mad! Great! Now what? What action will you take to change the situation.? I have been told that doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. So what will you do differently today? What action will you take the make the rest of your life better? What will you do to ensure a better life for your children. I will tell you what I am doing for my two boys I am following my dream. I am pursuing a Plan A, B, and C. Plan A is to be the next Oprah. Plan B is to make sure my husband's business is successful, Plan C is to get another Degree to firm up my current position in corporate America. The thought of them all is overwhelming, but I have found that even with all of my activities I still have time. I still waste too much time in my opinion, but the point is have a plan and work it. Decide what your plan A is and work it, then if necessary have a plan B. I believe in multiple plans but that has a lot to do with growing up really really poor. My mom always worked multiple jobs. My mom helped clean houses, she was a secretary, and she was a waitress. When she came home at night she made us blueberry pancakes and we would turn up the music really loud and dance and sing and forget about the rest of the world. While I was in college so was my mom, She is now the Minister of a large church in Southern Virginia, but she is also the Director for a Home for Mentally Challenged Adults. Plan A and Plan B. People make fun of my husband and I because we do so many things. We have a BBQ business, a television show, a IT company, a recording studio, and we are both going back to school at night and my 15 year old plays travel basketball so I often feel overwhelmed. I keep on keeping on and I am asking you to do the same. I am not advising that you do as many things as we do, I don't even know if I should be doing all these things and I am often exhausted. I am telling you to not be a afraid. Do not be ruled by fear. Please what ever you are thinking of pursuing don't be afraid of what people will think of you, don't be afraid of failure, don't be afraid that it will not work. Pray on it and if God says the same move forward. God Bless you I love you and Keep on Keeping On!

I Won't Complain!

2009-05-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

While watching Sunday's Best I was overcome with emotion and thanksgiving. All I could do was throw my hands up and say Thank you God! Over and Over I gave him praise. My 4 year old asked me if I was crying and I said yes, he is used to me praising God, so he joined in with me "Thank you God, Thank you God", he said. The more I praised him the more I thought about what I had been through, then I thought back to a conversation I had this morning with my good friend and I realized I had to share this moment with you. I was praising God because my husband was laid off in December and just last month I was facing the same. A troubling thought when you have kids, and a mortgage or you just want to eat. I understand the feeling when you are scared, because you don't know if you will have a job or not. I understand when you are not confident in your skills and your ability to get another job just like the one you have. I was scared when in December my husband announced that instead of looking for another job he was going to start yet another company. So as I was praising God for all the bills being paid for my family having more than enough of everything (especially love and faith). I asked myself what did I do, what "action did I take". I asked myself those questions because I was challenged today with those very words, not in a negative way but in a how will you help other people who find themselves in the same situation way. So in honesty the first thing I did was cry, while I was crying I decided to update my resume. Then after I updated my resume, I prayed. I told God that I trusted him, that he had never left me looking for a job, that he had always provided. Then I waited. The day that this happened it was around 5:00 that I began to cry and pray and update my resume. By 6:00 pm that same day I got an email from my boss saying that I did not need to worry about my position that it was secure. Now I know what you are thinking, God did not save my job, like he did yours. This is what I have to say, maybe God has something better for you, perhaps there is a company that he would like for you to start. Perhaps there is another degree he would like for you to pursue. Perhaps there is a dream that you would like to chase. All and all when it is said and done, I hope you will find yourself praising God at 11:00 at night crying like me thinking to yourself Thank God my good days out weighed your bad.. ooohh and by the way I want complain. I love you all and Keep on Keeping On!

Day 3 of 100 days of Inspiration!

2009-05-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today, is a very interesting day my best friend from Elementary School called me and as he always does he challenged me to take my thoughts higher. He challenged me to have measurable results in this 100 days of inspiration. I told him that I did not need to see results, my job was to give the word. To give people hope and encouragement. To tell people that no matter what they could make it regardless of what life has dealt you, that you can rise again. However, as I write this very blog, I am undecided. Would it be better to have measurable results "testimonies" or be comfortable with what ever happens happens? So I am turning it over to you to decide. If there is something you want to share with me, some change, some difference that this blog has made or is making in your life please feel free to share it with me. For those of you who don't want to share but would like to chime in on my efforts or offer suggestions for change I would like to encourage you to do that as well. I want to make your life better, I don't want people to be discouraged by today events, I want them to be inspired to make the necessary changes to make their situation better. I love people and I want you to enjoy every moment that you have been given. I also want you to help me be a better giver! What can I do to make this blog better?

Day 2 of 100 days of Inspiration

2009-05-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I have a very simple message. Life itself is precious not perfect. Being alive is perfect. Life is a precious gift. It is delicate, imperfect, outrageous and fun. It is meant to be cherished. Life is meant for laughter and fun, but by it's very nature you have to realize that every single moment in time is a gift. Be thankful for where you are right now, because a second from now it will be different. Even if in this moment life is not perfect, you don't have the money you want, the body you want, the hair you want, the friends or circumstances that you want...Enjoy it. Stop and feel the very fact that you are alive. You may have lost someone close to you, you might not want to be, where you want to be - debt free and living life in luxury. I ask you today to take the time to breath and laugh and enjoy just being. I love you and I wish today that you enjoy the simple things don't worry about what you don't have be thankful for what is and the way it is. Enjoy today, Enjoy this precious gift of life. Love yourself and the people that God has placed in your life. God bless you and Keep on Keeping On!

100 days of Inspiration

2009-05-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello, for the last couple of weeks, I along with the entire world have faced many challenges after the General Motors, and Chrysler down falls I became very sad about the state of the American Economy as well as the State of the American Spirit. I asked myself what could I do? So I have decided to give HOPE. The gift that creates faith in God. I love this country and the people who live here and I wish I had enough money to give everyone $1million dollars, unfortunately since I am not on Oprah status yet. :) All I have to give right now is hope. I want to tell you that "joy comes in the morning". I know today looks really bad but if you can muster up the strength to believe that tomorrow has the potential to be better, I bet it will. If you can wake up and find something to be thankful for something to be happy about, something that will make your heart smile, I believe that your day will be brighter. Be encouraged, even if it looks like doom and gloom, be thankful anyway decide today you will have joy! I have written this in hopes of making you smile, in hopes that you will have the courage to keep on keeping on until tomorrow brings you victory. You are Great! You are Beautiful! I love you. April Jones please comeback and invite your friends, everyday for the next 100 days for words of inspiration. I love you and I am praying for your success!

No More Excuses!

2009-01-23T21:43:00.002-08:00

Let us welcome in a new era, excuse free.
Last week we celebrated the inauguration of our 44th President. Barack Obama.
As tears streamed down my face, I looked to my right and saw my dear Aunt Frankie who fought for civil rights, voting rights, and fair housing. She served under four presidential administrations starting with John F. Kennedy. She graduated from Howard Law in 1947 when women were not being treated equally in the law profession and being black she had to take pro bono cases to prove herself and I thought to myself no more excuses. She went to law school, married with a child and got pregnant again her final semester. She got up everyday at 4 am so that she could cook breakfast for her family and still have time to study and I thought no more excuses. So now I say to you I have no more excuses if generations before us could be successful and change the world during a time when we as black people were not allowed to vote equally, eat equally or live equally. Surely now, no matter what we are faced with, we can and should succeed. So let us welcome in a new time, a new era, Excuse free. Let us live to our potential, Let us answer the call of greatness. Let us be the Godly people that we were created to be. Excuse Free!

Rick Fox! Don't Judge a Book by his Face!

2009-01-23T21:43:00.001-08:00

Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover.
This week while participating in inaugural celebrations I meet and saw again so many people and out of all the people that I meet, the person I was most surprised and impressed with was Rick Fox. I am not a big basketball fan but because my husband is a serious Lakers Fan I knew exactly who he was and the fact that Vanessa Williams was standing beside him was a definite clue. I thought to myself, I am not going to talk to him, he is a pretty boy, and I am sure he is high on himself but what I found was a very kind and respectful man who was ushering his father into an event to celebrate the inauguration of our first black president. I was greeted by a genuine smile and very kind words. There were so many people that wanted to talk to him, so many women who wanted to get his attention, yet he acted like my aunts and I were the only people in the room. He took the time to talk to a 92 year old women, a 59 year old women, and me, a women who was truly afraid to make eye contact with this Greek-god of a man for fear that every word out of my mouth would sound like blah, blah, blah -so I opted to focus on his 60 year old father and his beautiful white teeth. I was able to tell him about my television show while not very descriptive (I was totally distracted by his big beautiful smile and his eyelashes ladies I could go on but because I don’t want my husband to take my laptop away I will stop now) Hopefully I came across as somewhat intelligent. I was then ashamed of my prejudgment, so the lesson I learned was not to judge a book by his cover and don’t assume you know a person just based on the way they look. Take the time to talk to people their goodness may surprise you.

Do You Want to Turn your Curse into a Blessing?

2008-11-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

This week I was touched by Joel Olsteen, he said average people have average problems and they also have average blessings. I thought to myself. I want an Extraordinary blessing, because I believe that I am Extraordinary. Before I could finish the thought, he said Extraordinary people have Extraordinary problems. Just then I realized my largest problem the cause for my headache and sickness the source of all my stress was a blessing and not a curse. So I went to the problem and told him that he was my extraordinary blessing. I have started referring to him as my extraordinary man. Since then he has become a tremendous blessing. I want to stay open without telling all my business but trust me, this once curse now blessing has taken me through the ringer and normally finds a way to ruin every holiday, even Labor Day of this year, I spent in the police station with this blessing. Do you know every since I have publically called this person my extraordinary blessing heaven itself has opened up. I have gotten every possible hookup from God and they just keep coming. So the lesson is to turn your curse into a blessing. Look at your problem as a blessing and a way to increase your giving. Nurture your problem until it becomes a blessing. On this particular subject I would like to invite my readers to ask me questions about your situation, because while I am not willing to put my business out there for the masses, I am willing to give you the details if it will help you turn your situation around. Email me at apriljonestv@gmail.com

2008-11-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Ask for It!
I want to emphasize this week the old verse the power of life and death is in the tongue, except I want to go just a little bit deeper than normal. I believe your thoughts influence what comes out of your mouth. That is why it is so important to feed your brain good food. Health and positive people places and things. Because there is an important relationship between watch you see, hear, and feel and what comes out of your mouth. I challenge you this week to start talking out loud about the desires of your heart, not necessarily to anyone or any person but while you are driving down the road in your car. This week I manifested a 3 clothing dressers that I have been saying someone was going to give me for about 6 months. They are beautiful expensive pieces of furniture that I got for a bag of Big Reggie's BBQ ( if you know me that is my husbands BBQ business) So stop stressin' and ask for it. Ask for the Man, the Money, the Car, the House, the relationship with God..... I love you all and want you to check out my new video on my profile page or you tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxjD0z8_4SI

Stay Encouraged!!!!!!!

2008-10-28T14:58:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I had the pleasure to interview three outstanding women. Zane, Jamie Foster Brown, and Nadine Thompson. There was something that all 3 said that I wanted to pass on to my readers. They all said in some form or another that when God gives you a purpose in life, a dream, or work to do. Don't give up. Do not get distracted or discouraged. I almost cried as Zane started to talk about how people told her to stop doing what she was doing and not to write the types of books that she knew she was supposed to write. If you have read my previous blogs you will know that I almost stopped pursuing having my own television show because I felt like I was not pretty or skinny enough. What if she had quit, what if you quit? What has God asked you to do? What dream did he place in your heart? Are you the next, Oprah, Whitney, P Diddy, or Spike Lee. What if they had stopped working towards the dream that God placed in their heart. I want to add, your dream is not always about you. God may be using you to bless someone else. Don't be selfish! Stay Encouraged and Don't Give Up

Check Your Fruit?

2008-10-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

My husband's father recently passed and the pastor "my mother" had a message. She did not know my father in law well but she does not my husband and finds him to be an extraordinary man. So her message was you can tell a tree by its fruit. The question I pose today is for both your spirit and your offspring... Do you have ripe or rotten fruit? I ask this question not out of judgment but out of love. I want everyone that I am connected with to have ripe juicy fruit and lots of it. Spiritually are you a negative person a true downer, is every word that comes out of your mouth uplifting or are you out to hurt and tear people down. Really check yourself here. Because it is easy to lie to yourself and say I only talked about her to help her change. If you really wanted to help them you would keep your mouth shut and take action. Yes action get down on your knees and pray for your brother or sister. You reap what you sew and if you only sew gossip and maliciousness that is what you will reap. I have some good news also it is called God's Grace and Mercy. God's Grace and Mercy will show your life favor even if you don't deserve it but why not make a sincere effort to grow ripe fruit. In the words of today's youth. Stop Hattin and Start Helping!!! I love you all.. Stay Blessed

Man Power!

2008-10-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

Okay for the last couple of post, I have stayed focused on you and pursuing your dreams. However, it has come to my attention that part of your dream is to have a good man. So here we go, I will be writing the next couple of weeks strickly on helping you get and keep the man of your dreams. Stage 1. You must love yourself. You can not receive love if you don't love yourself. If you don't think you are beautiful no one else will. Here is my first formal peice of advice. Do not expect perfection. If you were perfect it would be a fair exchange but since your name is not Jesus Christ, don't expect what you can't give. I love my sister friends but I have heard my sisters breakup with a man for everything from having holes in his t-shirt to not getting a hair cut everyweek. Come on sisters. Find a man who is into you who cares about you and then buy him some new t-shirts and keep it moving.. Good luck and God Bless

Beauty is Only Skin Deep!

2008-10-09T16:11:00.001-07:00

While talking to a friend today, I realized how important beauty was. I was giving her one of my normal inspirational speeches, in hopes of keeping her focused on her dream and I began to tell her the story of how I almost gave up my own. As I started to tell my story the tears started running down my face as I began to tell what seemed like a good reason to give up my very own dream. My makeup artist made an issue of the bags under my eyes just as I was about to record my show. Later that week as I reviewed the footage, I could only see and hear the bags under my eyes talking. A week later a friend suggested that I have a breast reduction and a tummy tuck. I was angry, hurt, embarrassed, and ashamed and I just felt like quitting. I wiped the tears from my own eyes, and told her that the reason I keep going was because God gave me a mission to help women. To help women love themselves right where they are today. I need to listen to myself. She started to tell me how beautiful I was; she said my eyes were wise like Oprah’s ( Who also has bags). Later that day at the bank a lady told me I had beautiful brown eyes. I realized at that moment everyone has a different perception of beauty and what I or you see as a flaw another person sees as an attribute. However, what I think is most important is how you see yourself. Do not, allow others to define you. You define you and please let how you feel about yourself be based on unconditional love. Love yourself no matter where you are. Decide that you are Beautiful, inside and out. Love yourself plus or minus 20 pounds. Puffy Eyes or No Puffy Eyes. Trust me, this week - this one if for me. I hope you are blessed by it.

Make it Plain

2008-09-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Bible says if you have a vision write it down and make it plain. I don't know if you understand how important this is to the everyday happenings in your life. Since college at the beginning of every year, I would write down what I planned to accomplish in that year. I kept doing that until I built my second house. Then all He** broke loose. Today I wrote down my vision for one of the biggest dreams I have ever had. A dream that I have been working on for over a year. Within 5 minutes of writing down my goals and aspirations with very specific detail. I hit the jackpot. I wrote a vision statement, a mission statement. I answered the who, what, where, when, and how. I wrote down what I had accomplished and what needed to be accomplished. No sooner than I completed it. I received a tremendous blessing directly related to my dream. I am not telling you that it just happens like that. For over a year I have worked on this dream everyday and every night, even if I was sick. So you must work, but give yourself a well written plan so you can get your blessing.

Hope for America

2008-09-17T11:20:00.005-07:00

What the world needs now is peace. As I was telling my girlfriend about the last blog I posted I realized that I missed a very important point about the state of the American. Right now America and Americans are under so much financial stress. We are worried about loosing our homes, our cars, our families, our lifestyle. Then I thought about the fact that with all this stress we loose our joy and our peace. How many of us stop and think just how fortunate we are to take another breath. I just got out of the hospital last night with a stomach virus or food poisoning, while I was there with complaints of stomach pain. A man lost his life, he had a heart attack. When it happened I did not think of his family or his finance or his position in life. I thought God be with his soul. Tonight as I was telling my friend about my health. It dawned on me that I was blessed to have another breath, another day with my 3 year old, another day with my husband another breath. As I put it all together at this moment. How many of us realize how blessed we are to be alive another day even if we are 1 million dollars in debt, even if your health is not 100%, even if your children are keeping you stressed out. No matter what is wrong with your life- what is right is that you are alive and that should give you joy and peace. It should give you hope because tomorrow or next year you have a chance to make it better. Decide today to be thankful, to have peace.

Keep On! Keeping On!

2008-09-17T11:20:00.004-07:00

The title of this weeks blog is meant to be a verb or an action word. I want you to keeping working towards, your goal/dream/desired outcome until it arrives or you achieve it. I don't care if it takes longer than expected....You can not win the race without entering into the competition (which means you have to run). Friends running is an action. You can not get there without action. I don't care how many times you have heard no, or how many people don't say what you want or expected them to say. You must keep moving forward, work harder, run faster, stronger and longer. What ever you have to do just keep moving towards your dream. Do not dought your vision, or yourself. Keep believing and Keep on Keeping on

Get Ready!

2008-09-17T11:20:00.003-07:00

I have been talking to you for the last month about your dreams and I want you to stay focused on your dreams, but I also want to make a special note about being prepared for your blessings. If you are not prepared for your dreams to come true, an opportunity can present itself and you will not be ready. If you meet Diddy today is your demo ready, if you meet Tyler Perry is your play written up. If you meet Jesus himself would he say job well done, or would you have to say I will mail it to you and then scrabble to get it together. Be ready to be blessed. Have it together. Stay Humble check your ego at the door and prepare for your blessing. If it is a man you want have you made room for him in your life. Are you loving yourself so that you know when someone else is loving you versus kicking your butt. I could go deeper into this conversation but I don't have that type of time. I just want to provoke you to thought. Are you ready to be blessed? Are you prepared for that moment? Do you have business cards, a website, do you look like you fit the part. In the words of T.D. Jakes Get ready Get Ready Get Ready.

Watch Your Mouth!

2008-09-17T11:20:00.002-07:00

Friends, Brothers, and SistersI come before you as humbled as I have ever been, asking you all to watch your mouth. As we journey together towards our dreams, I beg of you today to pay attention to what comes out of your mouth. This weekend I had a tramatic experience it was absolutely life altering, just hours before this event took place the words that I spoke shadowed it. In the midst of the personal hell, I prayed and then spoke out loud that the situation was over, I said it with determination and conviction. As quickly as I spoke it into my life that was as quickly as it ended and left. We know from the bible that the power of life and death is in the tonque and if never before I am a witness. Please only speak life, speak peace, speak prosperity, speak love, speak laughter, speak joy, speak wealth. Be slow to part your lips when you are angry, sad, or confused- in that time be quick to pray! I am not a minister I do not intend to become one but I do not what works and what does not work. I caution you and I beg of you today, do not speak negative on yourself or your loved ones, do not speak ill of others. Only say what you want out of life and how you want your life to be. Today I want to have the best day of my life, today I expect a miracle, today I will be blessed beyond measure. Today I will have special favor with my teacher/boss. Today my boyfriend/husband will be very loving towards me. Sister's understand that you possess the power to speak life into your situation. Speak Love!

Don't Take It Personal!

2008-09-17T11:20:00.001-07:00

In pursuit of making money, we will come across promotions and challenges. I want to tell you I have been promoted several times and in my line of work I am challenged daily. I just came by to tell you either way don't take it personal. Do not give anyone control of your happiness or celebration. You decide what makes you successful and what gives you joy and then you celebrate when you feel like it. It is a wonderful blessing to be promoted or praised but do not let anyone control your joy or your peace or your value. If you believe in the bible Phillipeans 4th Chapter 4th-10 verse. Let your joy and peace rest in God. The same holds true for personal relationships. Celebrate your being

ReJoice and ReJoice Again!

2008-09-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

It feels like the last couple of weeks of my life have been particulary difficult. However I assume I am not the only one. We all have times where life appears to be kicking our hinny, but I just came by to tell you no matter what the situation looks like. Make a decision that you will keep your joy! Make yourself rejoice, decide that you will have joy and peace. Take it, if you have to. Another word of advice don't take life so seriously. Most of the pressure I have is self induced. Sometimes we make the situation life or death, everything is not that serious. Calm down and do something you like or enjoy. For me it is watching comedy movies. I love to laugh and when life is crazy I just watch a funny movie, that is my release. For you maybe it is getting your hair "did". ( Sorry could not help it I just wanted to make you laugh :)). Friends enjoy life. Everyday is a blessing.