Connie Grashel is fulfilling her mission and following God’s orders. Grashel, originally from Central Ohio, moved to Portage, Indiana about 13 years ago. In 2011, Grashel began a unique business which she calls “God Rocks.”
Grashel who is a Christian says she believes that God talks to everyone, but often people just don’t listen. About seven or eight years ago, Grashel began having health issues, causing her to lose 75% of the vision in her left eye. She was only able to see Kaleidoscope designs.
One night while in worship services listening to the singer, she clearly heard the words “God Rocks.” She said she thought to herself, “Yes, God does rock.” Grashel says that God spoke to her again telling her that was not the message he was giving her. At that point, she saw a vision of a rock with a cross on it.
After two years, the doctor gave Grashel devastating news that she would not get her sight back. One day Grashel ran into a strange woman who told her that God talks to those who listens and that she should be thanking God for 20/20 vision. Grashel said she and her prayer partners began praying incessantly. In seven months, Grashel had six detached retinas.
A year and a half later Grashel went back to her doctor who performed scans that the x-rays revealed that the tissue build up was no longer present. He instructed her to get glasses in order for her vision to get better. Her vision improved leaving the doctors puzzled. She exclaims that it was nothing other than God.
At this point, Grashel realized that the rocks in her vision were God’s way of letting her know what he wanted her to do. Grashel and her husband owned a granite counter top business. The left over pieces of granite were the key to God’s purpose. It was very costly for Grashel to dispose of the left-over pieces and very harmful if placed in the landfill.
She took the leftover pieces and began processing them into jewelry. Step 1 of the process takes about six weeks to turn the recycled pieces from their raw state into shiny stones. She uses the pieces to make Christian jewelry, etching a cross into the stone as a reminder that God is there when things seem hopeless.
Grashel’s business has also turned into her ministry. She says that God sends people to her who need to hear something. There are many testimonials from people who are in need of a reminder or who uplift her spirit. Grashel says that she speaks at women conferences and sets up tables where she sells her jewelry.
Grashel began her business in 2011. She travels as far south as Georgia, throughout the Midwest and as far west as Iowa setting up at retreats and getting people to talk about God. Grashel says she does not push products or beliefs saying that God has always been there for her.
Grashel and her 27-year-old son who has an Arts Degree in watercolor work together. She comes up with the idea for the design and he adds the color. Everything is handcrafted from start to finish. The process is very intricate using etching, transparencies and sandblasting. The cross is cut deeply and lined with a high-quality gold leafing that does not wear off.
Grashel believes that this is the task God gave her to do. He has helped her by putting people in her path. Recently she went to Indy to work with the Cardboard Box Ministry which served over 1,500 homeless people. She says her vision was a gift from God that has changed lives by using rocks to remind them that God is there for them.
Grashel products are also found in stores. She believes in America and believes in small business. She believes that someday her products could put people to work.
Grashel is able to make pocket stones, key chains, plaques, customizations and more. She displays her jewelry on her website at her Facebook page at “Godrocksjewelry,” or she can be reached via e-mail at rememberthefoundation@gmail.com.
photo by Snappy Stacey Photography