For most people, quitting a secure job to enter the music business would be a crazy move.

For LaNita Wiggins, it was a leap of faith.

The lifelong gospel singer left her job working in the city manager’s office in Suffolk last year to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Since then, she has recorded her first CD, “Stay Focused,” which is available for purchase at the Christian Bookstore, 892 N. Main St.

“It’s been phenomenal,” she said. “I’m looking for ’09 to be a wonderful year.”

Wiggins began her singing career where many young girls do – in the church choir. From there, she has progressed to being invited to sing at weddings, funerals and special ceremonies all over Suffolk, including the dedication of the new courthouse and the State of the City speech.

Now that she has a CD, Wiggins feels like she is living a dream. But she is careful not to take any of the credit.

“This was my passion,” she said. “I won’t stop until all my dreams are fulfilled.”

After taking the big step of quitting her job, Wiggins’ next move was to hire a producer, Kermit Griffin. However, when she hired Griffin, she had only two songs for her CD. She wanted it to be a full album, not just a demo, she said.

Initially, she feared she wouldn’t be able to come up with enough songs for the CD. However, she dismissed that fear and once again, God came through with what she needed.

“The Lord just started putting songs in my spirit,” she said.

Before she knew it, her producer told her she needed to cut out some songs if she wanted to keep the album down to 10 tracks.

“I had to pick and choose,” she said. “That’s how good God is.”

Wiggins’ ideas for songs hit her in bits and pieces, so much so that she has to carry a recorder, pen and paper wherever she goes, so that she’ll be ready to record or write down an idea when it comes to her.

Making music full-time also has boosted her energy levels, Wiggins said.

“Music is therapeutic to me, like David in the Bible,” she said. “It’s a blessing.”

Wiggins held a CD signing at the Christian Bookstore last month, and was amazed by the outcome. The event was supposed to last from noon to 3 p.m. There were people waiting for her at 11 a.m., and she didn’t get to leave until 5 p.m., she said.

“It’s a blessing that they say I blessed them,” she said. “People were buying them as gifts for people that don’t know me. I’ve never seen such an outpour.”

No matter what happens, Wiggins said she’ll continue to trust in God and thank him for the blessings she’s been given.

“I’m trusting in Him,” she said. “He’s never failed me yet.”

Wiggins and her husband, George, live in Suffolk.