Later on, as a product of yet again one of my meditations for yet again one of our SPA fellowships, the tagline, “Till I entered the sanctuary of God” was added. This is because comfort, reassurance, and peace are attained when we enter the sanctuary of God, as clearly put forward in Psalm 73. Entering the sanctuary of God may be done in two ways: 1) literally walking into the sanctuary, meaning attending services; and 2) entering His presence wherever we are by way of prayer, meditation, journaling, reflecting, singing, etc. I asked the help of Sis. Rebecca Victoriano to add the tagline under the SPA logo. 

By the summer of 2022 during, the concept of SPA has been greatly developed, expanded, and enriched, and we have a beautiful logo rich in symbolism and meaning to go with it.  With the help of the Canada Women Leaders across Canada, we held successful SPA fellowships during the 2022 Eastern Canada and Western-Central Canada Camps, and I got the chance to share with the women from other parts of Canada District what SPA is all about. I was greatly encouraged by their enthusiasm in embracing SPA. 

I think now is the time to talk more about what SPA stands for. 

God is the source of spiritual rest and care, and we should always seek to be cared for by Him. In this world, there are many troubles, there are many pitfalls, there are many deceipts and distractions. We get bruised up, we get distressed, we get wounded. But there is healing and restoration, joy and peace, comfort and care, spiritual rejuvenation and rest that comes from God. We just need to seek it, to make time to go to SPA, to do SPA, and God will surely not let us down.

SPA is a way of life, a deep desire, hunger, and thirst for God. SPA is almost like a private, secret spiritual way of life we do in the private spaces of our homes, or getting lost in the presence of God even when we are there in public or among others. 

So how did all this result in this beautiful planner?

Well, further explanation is needed, so please bear with me. After a year of consistently working out, starting with bodyweight exercises and progressing to dumbbells, barbells and plates, I realized something: the power of taking the first step. My first step towards being more physically active was taken on January 29, 2023, and I am so glad I took that first step. 

After a year of being physically more active and feeling accomplished, I then wanted to apply the power of taking the first step to my long time desire to write more. I have always wanted to take on the ministry of writing more seriously. One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is write devotionals to minister to others. Gardening inspired devotionals, devotionals inspired by motherhood, devotionals inspired by my children’s funny and witty quips – these were some of the ideas for devotionals I’ve always dreamed of for the longest time. But that desire remained just that, a desire all these long years, and I would always be burdened by the fact that it all remained just a desire. 

In November 2019, shortly after moving to Canada, as I was seeking help from Bro. Kenneth Porte in setting up my Google Classroom account for my class in the Bible School, a door was opened. In that meeting, Bro. KP explained to me what the Canada Media Team’s goals were for the Canada website, and so it was then that a thought about writing devotionals for the website was kindled in my heart. However, it would still be more than three years before I actually published my first devotional on the website. 

Inspired and challenged by the accomplishment of one year of working out, I said to myself, you’ve done something for your physical health, now it’s time to take the first step towards your literary aspirations. 

Before I go on, I would like to mention another person who pushed me to write as well: Sis. Angela Legaspi. After I did a month-long morning devotion message series in March 2022, centering on the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, she came up to me and said we should create a book out of the series outlines. I was greatly encouraged, but again, the goal remained a goal to be reached. 

So then, after my decision to take the first step towards my literary goals,  I thought of starting out with devotionals about the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord using my devotion message series outlines. I mistakenly thought it would be easy, since I had a whole set of sermon outlines to serve as my guide. I realized that writing sermon outlines is entirely different from writing devotionals.  

Nevertheless, I kept on with the Lenten Season devotionals, and I have Sis. Charissa Lapinig to thank for the SPA devotionals website. I am so thankful for all these wonderful people God blessed me with. In my myriad of limitations, God has blessed me with so many talented and skilled individuals who are humble and willing to be used by God. 

Of course I cannot forget my dearest husband, Presbyter Joseph Concepcion, my best friend and my wise human counselor, my sounding board, and my strongest supporter. He played a great role in the materialization of this planner. One day early into the new year of 2024, I scribbled some notes, actually a mind-map, indicating what I wanted to do this year of 2024: write devotionals, write a children’s book, and create a planner. I told him that those were the new goals I wanted for this year, but I also told him of my uncertainties, of my lack of feeling of worthiness and capacity to do it. But I asked him to just pray for my plans. I praise God because He gave me a supportive husband, one who believes in me and encourages me to pursue my aspirations for God. Right there and then he said, “Go for it. I believe in you and you should do it.” 

I also at the time spoke with, again, Sis. Angela Legaspi, and presented to her what SPA is all about, and what I wanted to do: create a planner. She,too, gave me her strong support, which I truly appreciate. 

The SPA devotionals came as first of those literary goals I had set up for myself. There were some scribbles about a children’s book, too, but that is still simmering, but will surely follow by God’s grace. But the planner wheels didn’t start rolling until the first week of April, 2024. As I wanted to involve all the women in the District in this project,  I had to wait for the new batch of women leaders to be elected, and then wait for them to be inducted, and only then did I meet with them and tell them about the project I wanted us to have. Beginning with the Toronto women leaders, these new batch of leaders all over Canada embraced the planner plan (no pun intended) with wide open arms and hearts. 

The 2024-2026 Toronto women leaders are: Sis. Cass Bundalian, Sis. Faith Ranada, Sis. Evelyn Aquino, Sis. Shalee Bautista, and Sis. Gladys Wycoco. Together with the Livingstones Women Leaders are the new and first batch of Elder Officers in Toronto: Elder Noemi de Vera, Elder Ruth Malihan, Elder Marilyn Marcelo, and Elder Evelyn Gabris. From the Ardent Time Redeemers, we have Sis. Edith Campos, Sis. Elizabeth Santos, Sis. Veronica Largas, and Sis. Gloria Ayson. The complete list of 2024-2026 Canada Women Leaders is found at the very end of this write up. Ptr. Celia Ferriol and I are extremely grateful to be the advisers of the Canada Women Livingstones. 

It is without a shadow of doubt that we women have a lot of fire and spirit, but even the fiercest among us spiritually lacks the technical skills to bring our planner goal to fruition. I knew we needed the help of another group of dedicated people: the ones behind Canada’s amazing productions and designs: the Canada Creative Team. So on April 7, 2024 a day before I flew to Jamaica to help out the End-Time Christ Proclaimers in their missionary journey, I met with the Canada Creative Team, who gladly took on the challenge of producing a SPA 2025 planner. They even made the project planning clearer, which I truly appreciate. With their stellar eye for detail, their intuitive creativity, and their love for the Lord, this planner was gladly taken on by them the moment I presented it to them. Their talents in design, planning, editing, and so much more, produced this beautiful project. 

The creative minds who have been inspiring me since the beginning of SPA formalization, the Canada Creative Team, are  Bro. Igi Obsanga, Sis. Angela Legaspi, Bro. Aries de Vera, Sis. Dianne Ruaya, Bro. Jasriel Bautista, Sis, Charissa Lapinig, Sis. Rebecca Victoriano, Sis. Tanya Bico, and Bro. Lester Dean Malihan.

The artworks you’ll find in the planner are original works of some talented artists – Sis. Charissa Lapinig, Sis. Martha Victoriano, Sis. Viola Concepcion, Sis. Kate Navarro, Sis. Sofia Victoriano, and Sis. Kailey Vibas.

One of the features I’ve always wanted this SPA planner to showcase are the power quotes from our church leaders. Quotes have the power to inspire, and I want our leaders in the church to inspire us everyday. But with such an undertaking of gathering 365 quotes, I knew I needed an army. Thankfully, I have the entire throng of spirited Livingstones Women all across Canada to mobilize. Having them contribute quotes is my way of providing them ownership of the project. Additionally, I wanted the planner to have a sentimental value to them and so I gave the sisters the opportunity of choosing a special date where their contributions will be found. For example, on a sister’s wedding anniversary date, she’ll find the power quote she contributed. And I truly encouraged them to submit a quote they hold dear in their hearts. 

And of course, I wanted a planner that is also a journal, where one could plan their schedule and write their thoughts in one place. Hence, the generous space provided for us everyday to pause, reflect, and use the power of writing to process our feelings, thoughts, and emotions. There is a short write up in the planner about the power of journaling, please take the time to read it. So I am delighted to have this space for infinite literary (or even artistic) possibilities. For some, it could also be a place for mind-mapping, scribbling your plans, etc. Like what I said, it is a space for infinite possibilities.

So there you have it. After nearly 3000 words, you’ve gained an insight into the worth of this project, the worth that goes beyond what you have paid for it. This planner is the product of the love, labor, and collaboration of literally tens of individuals. It is, therefore, special in its own right. And so I hope you’ll treasure it. 

I pray this planner will be a powerful tool as you do SPA. Find God moving and speaking to you in the daily. Open yourself up to Him everyday. Plan your day with the intention of honoring and prioritizing the Lover of our soul everyday.  And as you do, you will find that spiritual refreshment you need each and every day. Thank you and God bless you!

Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Genalyn Concepcion